MEMORANDUM

DISCUSSION:

Due to staff suggestions, the following forms are revised. The revisions include changes to wording and requests for additional information. 

• FS-1, Application for Food Stamp Benefits,
• IM-31B, Your Rights As A Food Stamp Applicant,
• IM-31C, Instructions For Making Your Food Stamp Application, and
• IM-31F, Instructions For Making Your Food Stamp Application & Food Stamp Rights.

The forms are revised to ensure the information received is an accurate reflection of the EU's circumstances. The interactive interview is the basic tool for obtaining information to establish eligibility. The interview is also an instrument to provide information to the applicant about the program and his/her rights and responsibilities. Explain each eligibility factor and the verification required, discussing fully any point on which the applicant indicates concern.

The following are the changes made to the FS-1, Application for Food Stamp Benefits.

• Expedited Service – Rent/Mortgage expense amount and utility expense for heating and cooling are added.
• Liquid Resources – This heading is changed to Bank Accounts, Cash, Etc. and examples have been added.
• Other Resources – Two additional questions are added concerning real and personal property.
• Employment Changes– Applicants who have been fired, quit, or laid-off from a job are asked to supply additional information concerning the date of loss, and the date and amount of the last pay check.
• Other Income – A definition of Other Income and examples are added.
• Medical Expenses – A question asking the number of monthly miles driven from home to receive medical care is added.
• Dependent Care Expenses – A question asking the number of monthly miles driven from home to the dependent care provider is added.
• Shelter Expenses – Examples of shelter expenses and a question concerning housing assistance is added.

The following are the changes made to the IM-31C, Instructions For Making Your Food Stamp Application, IM-31B, Your Rights As A Food Stamp Applicant/Participant, and IM-31F, Instructions For Making Your Food Stamp Application and Food Stamp Rights are revised. 

• The Missouri Benefits Center website is changed to the Family Support Division Program Enrollment website.
• The telephone number of the Family Support Division Information Center is added.
• The statement that "Any expenses not reported will not be used to compute your Food Stamp benefit amount." is added. 

When an EU requests an application be mailed to them, send the revised IM-31C, IM-31B, or IM-31F with the application, as appropriate.

The FS-1PDF and WORD versions are available in the online IM Forms Manual on the FSD Intranet. Printed forms are available from the warehouse.

Use the current FS1 until depletion.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff

AC/jm