MEMORANDUM

DISCUSSION:

The purpose of this memorandum is to introduce the Food Stamp Interview (FM1B) screen and FAMIS system enhancement for EU members with duplicate participation.  Effective October 24, 2011, the Food Stamp Interview (FM1B) screen and duplicate participation enhancement is added to FAMIS.

Duplicate Participation

FAMIS is programmed to identify Food Stamp applications ineligible due to duplicate participation.  These applications will now pend to allow time for the eligibility specialist to take action.  Staff can complete the controlled flow for the new application and allow time for the applicant to be removed from the existing case.  FAMIS will determine eligibility for benefits when the EU member is removed from the existing case.  There is no change to the process if an EU fails for duplicate participation because there is not enough time to remove the EU member from an active case.

Food Stamp Interview Screen

This memorandum addresses the following issues related to the Food Stamp Interview (FM1B or FSINTRVW) screen.

• Process;
• Notices; and
• Manual Revisions.

Process

The Food Stamp Interview screen is used to record the date and type of interview completed, system generation of the FA334, Appointment Letter, and FA335, Notification of Missed Interview notice, and rejection of the application for not completing the interview (UCI).

All interviews are scheduled within 5 days of the application request date.  The types of interviews are FTF – Face-to-face, CCW – Client to call worker, and WCC – Worker to call client.

Complete the Food Stamp Interview screen anytime you complete a Food Stamp application request.  The Food Stamp Interview screen is located after caseload setup in the controlled flow.  If an interview is being completed answer "N", no, to the question "Do you need to schedule an interview?  (Y/N)" and complete the "Interview Completed" portion of the screen.

If an interview is needed, answer "Y", yes, to the question "Do you need to schedule an interview?" and complete "Interview Scheduling".  Prompt out or enter the type of interview scheduled, FTF – Face-to-face, CCW – Client to call worker, and WCC – Worker to call client, the date of the interview, and the time of the interview.  If the interview is FTF, enter or prompt out for the location address.

FAMIS sends the FA334, Appointment Letter to the applicant.  If the scheduled interview is not completed by the interview date, FAMIS sends the FA335, Notification of Missed Interview notice to the EU informing them they have until their application due date to schedule and complete an interview.  On the application due date if no interview is conducted FAMIS fails the EU for not completing the interview (UCI) and the application is rejected.

A technical eligibility ISD is produced if the application is taken through the controlled flow and the interview type and date is not entered into FAMIS.  Staff may also print and give the applicant an FA334, Appointment Letter, when a face to face interview is started but not completed.  Change the entries on the Food Stamp Interview screen to schedule the interview and produce the notice.  Change the answer to the question "Do you need to schedule an interview?  (Y/N)" to "Y", yes, and space out the information in the "Interview Completed" fields.  Complete the "Interview Scheduling" fields and press F23=FA334 to print the notice.

Notices

The FA334, Appointment Letter is created to notify an applicant of the type, date, time, and location of a scheduled interview.  The FA334 is an abbreviated version of the FA331 Appointment Letter/Request for Contact notice.  The FA335, Notification of Missed Interview notice is a shortened version of the FA332 Notification of Missed Interview notice.  Both notices do not have the verification needed section located on the back of the FA331 and FA332.

Manual Revisions

All manual sections addressing interviews are revised.  The revisions include updated processes and notices. The user guide Worker Initiated Rejection is revised to reflect these changes.  The FAMIS Questions & Answers is revised to include the updated processes.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

JM