MEMORANDUM

DISCUSSION:

Effective May 1, 2011, FAMIS will close Temporary Assistance (TA) cases reaching the sixty (60) month lifetime limit.

As discussed in Memorandum IM-#18, dated March 16, 2011, during month 57, at payroll closing for month 58, the “Participant Lifetime Limit Reached” alert is generated.  The eligibility specialist must review the case to determine if the participant meets an exemption or qualifies for an extension.  If s/he does, the TA Work Requirement (COMPACT/FM8B) screen must be updated with the correct work requirement indicator (Reference the TA Work Requirement Screen User Guide for instructions).

The alert is sent at 59 months and 60 months if a valid exemption or extension reason is not entered.  This alert is removed from the Alert/Reminder List (ALREMIND/FM7M) screen when the work requirement indicator on the COMPACT/FM8B screen has a valid exemption or extension reason or when the TA case is closed.

On the first day of the 60th month, FAMIS automatically starts the adverse action process to close the TA case if a valid exemption reason from the 60-month lifetime limit or a valid extension reason is not entered on the TA Work Requirement (COMPACT/FM8B) screen.

If a TA participant is eligible for an exemption from the 60-month lifetime limit or extension, the eligibility specialist MUST enter the code on the COMPACT (FM8B) screen during the adverse action period.  If an exemption or extension code is not entered on the COMPACT (FM8B) screen during the adverse action period, the TA case will close once the adverse action period expires.  If the exemption or extension determination is made after the adverse action period expires, but before the end of the month, the TA case may be cancel closed.

The TA manual was revised to include the following revisions:

• section 0205.075.05 has been updated to include the TA case will automatically close at the end of the 60th month;
• section 0205.075.20 was updated to include the alert, “Participant Lifetime Limit Reached”, that was added when a participant receives TA for 58 months or more and there is not a valid exemption or extension reason on the COMPACT/FM8B screen as mentioned in IM Memorandum IM-#18, dated March 16, 2011;
• sections 0205.075.15.05, 0205.075.15.10, 0205.075.15.15, 0205.75.15.20, and 025.75.15.25 have been updated to reflect new procedures for re-evaluating extensions. A reminder must be entered on the Alert/Reminder (ALREMIND/FM7M) when a review date for the exemption or extension is entered on the COMPACT/FM8B screen.
• section 0205.075.15.35 has been updated to reflect new procedures for pending reviews;
• sections 0205.075.15.20, 0205.075.20 and 0205.075.45 have been updated to reflect the change from Division of Workforce Development (DWD) Career Assistance Program (CAP) to Missouri Work Assistance (MWA) program.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

JKH/JP