MEMORANDUM

2012 Memorandums

IM-#89      11/05/12

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

FAMILY SUPPORT DIVISION

P.. BOX 2320

JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI

TO:
ALL COUNTY OFFICES
FROM:
ALYSON CAMPBELL, DIRECTOR
SUBJECT:
AUTOMATE CATEGORICAL ELIGIBLITY
FOOD STAMP MANUAL REVISION #44
1135.035.00
1135.035.05.10

DISCUSSION:

The purpose of this memorandum is to introduce the Automate Categorical Eligibility enhancement to FAMIS. Effective November 5th, 2012, FAMIS will automate the categorical eligibility (CE) decision on the Categorically Eligible (CATELIG/FMMK) screen when the EU contains a member(s) that receives Child Care (CHC), Temporary Assistance (TAP), Supplemental Aid to the Blind Cash (SAB) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Categorical eligibility codes Community Partnership (CPS) and Supplemental Payment (SAP) continue to be entered manually.

This memorandum addresses the following:

Automated Categorical Eligibility Enhancement

When an eligibility determination is completed, FAMIS will look at each Food Stamp eligibility unit (EU) member’s participation in the Child Care Program, Temporary Assistance Program, the Supplemental Aid to the Blind, and Supplemental Security Income to determine the system set CE codes. When one CE reason code ends for the Food Stamp EU member, the system checks to see if there is another reason the member should be CE. The system checks the following codes to determine CE status:

Eligibility Specialist (ES) Entered Codes

The following two codes will not automatically populate at any time, the ES will still need to determine eligibility for the following code reasons:

System Generated Codes

The Child Care code (CHC) populates on the Categorical Eligibility (CATELIG/FMMK) screen after the approval of the Child Care application has been authorized but before the Food Stamp case is authorized. The ES will not be able to manually enter this code at any time.

The Temporary Assistance code (TAP) populates on the Categorical Eligibility Screen (CATELIG/FMMK) after the approval of the Temporary Assistance application has been authorized but before the Food Stamp case is authorized. The ES will not be able to manually enter this code at any time.

NOTE: Individuals with the role of payee only (PO) or included person (IC) on a Temporary Assistance case will not be coded CE on the Categorical Eligibility (CATELIG/FMMK) screen.

Supplemental Security Income code (SSI) populates on the Categorical Eligibility (CATELIG/FMMK) screen when the system reads an active income source of Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSI can be suspended and/or recouped to zero and the individual is still considered Categorically Eligible. The ES will not be able to manually enter this code at any time.

NOTE: Due to automating CE, when SSI is suspended and/or recouped to zero, do not end date the income source (source code SI) in FAMIS. Enter a zero income budget on the Income Amount (FMX3) screen using reason code ZZZ-other and make a comment that the SSI has been suspended and/or recouped to zero. This is a change from previous instructions. Refer to the SVES Third Party Query (IIVE) code sheet for payment status codes.

Supplemental Aid to the Blind code (SAB) populates on the Categorical Eligibility Screen (CATELIG/FMMK) when the system reads an approval of an ADM case with Supplemental Aid to the Blind Cash (SABCSH) level of care. The ES will not be able to manually enter this code at any time.

System generated alerts will remain. When one CE reason code ends for the Food Stamp EU member, the system checks to see if there is another reason the member should be CE. If the system does not determine a new CE code, the reminder “CHECK CE CODE FOR FOOD STAMP ELIGIBILITY” is generated.

CE Code No Longer In Use

The Transportation Related Expenses or Work Related Expense code (TWE) is no longer a valid CE code and this code has been removed from the selection on the Categorical Eligibility (CATELIG/FMMK) screen.

Categorically Eligible Screen Changes

The Categorically Eligible (CATELIG/FMMK) screen appears in the controlled flow. It may also be accessed in maintenance mode to change an individual's categorical eligibility status or reason. The “CE (Y/N)” and “Effect Date” and “Reason” fields will be populated based on the information in the system.

EXAMPLE: Ms. A applies for Food Stamp benefits and receives Supplemental Security Income. When you flow to the Categorically Eligible (CATELIG/FMMK) screen the “CE (Y/N)” and “Effect Date” and “Reason” fields will already be populated with a Y, the month of application and reason code SSI.

If an EU member is categorically eligible because they receive a Supplemental Payment (SAP), the system will not automatically populate the Categorically Eligible (CATELIG/FMMK) screen because CE reason SAP is worker determined and must be manually entered.

A new filter field, Person DCN, has been added to the header of the screen to allow ES to see the history of the individual’s CE codes. When the field is prompted, the individual’s past and current CE codes can be seen. If a CE code is changing in the future months, the future month CE code can be seen by using the Person DCN field.

EXAMPLE: If a client is rejected for TA in the current month but approved for a future month, the Categorically Eligible Screen (FMMK/CATELIG) will show N. However, if the ES prompts for the client’s DCN, the future months will display Y with the reason of TAP.

In addition an Audit Key (F16=AUDIT) is now available. Select the DCN to be audited and press F16, this will display the UserID and date/time the last entry was completed.

The on-screen help is updated. Place the cursor in a field and press F1=HELP to see the help available for that field, or place the cursor on the command line and press F1=HELP to see overall screen help.

NECESSARY ACTION:

AC/mw

2012 Memorandums