MEMORANDUM

DISCUSSION:

The purpose of this memorandum is to introduce a change to the policy of simplified reporting. The Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) provides states options on reporting requirements for EU changes that occur after an initial or recertification interview. Missouri has selected the option of simplified reporting. All Food Stamp EUs are subject to the simplified reporting rules. In conjunction with the simplified reporting policy, Missouri has selected to act on all changes reported or that become known to the agency.

Effective June 1, 2013, Eligibility Specialists (ES) must act on all changes reported or known to the agency. The following includes but is not limited to information known to the agency:

• Reports or information considered verified upon receipt.
• Reports or information, other than those considered verified upon receipt, acted on by another program in the FAMIS system are considered known to the agency and must be acted on for Food Stamps.
• Interface information displayed in the FAMIS controlled flow (CONFLOWS/FMRA) during interviews or mid-certification reviews are known to the agency.

The option to disregard an action will be removed from the action authorization screen and the question will no longer be displayed at the bottom of the screen. Policy on reported or known changes is found in Section 1140.000.00 Simplified Reporting.

Simplified Reporting requirements have not changed. Participants are only required to report when:

• gross monthly income exceeds 130% of poverty, and
• a reduction in the number of hours worked by ABAWD individuals.

NOTE:  Any disregarded actions on a case prior to June 1, 2013 will be acted on during the next budget adjustment, certification, or mid-certification review.

Some Food Stamp Manual sections relating to change policy have been renamed and relocated.  The following manual sections which were exceptions to the prior policy to disregard changes not required to be reported have been deleted:

• 1140.005.00
• 1140.005.05
• 1140.005.20.20
• 1140.005.25.25
• 1140.005.20.30
• 1140.005.20.35
• 1140.005.20.40
• 1140.005.20.45
• 1140.005.20.50
• 1140.005.20.60
• 1140.005.20.65
• 1140.005.20.70
• 1140.020.00
• 1140.025.05

The obsolete sections of the manual are available on an attached document for reference in reviewing possible overpayments and eligibility prior to June 1, 2013.

The following FAMIS User Guides are revised:

• DEEMING IMMIGRANT SPONSOR INCOME AND RESOURCES
• REMOVING A SUPERCASE OR ELIGIBILITY UNIT MEMBER
• REMOVING A DECEASED FOOD STAMP SUPERCASE/ELIGIBILITY UNIT MEMBER

The IM-4 Simplified Reporting pamphlet was also revised.

The following Questions and Answers (Q&As) will be revised and issued with a separate memorandum:

• SIMPLIFIED REPORTING QUESTIONS &ANSWERS (Q&As)
• FAMIS QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (Q&As)

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
• Begin acting on all changes reported or known to the agency as of June 1, 2013.

AC/mw