MEMORANDUM

DISCUSSION:

The weekend of September 13, 2014, the October Food Stamp mass adjustment will occur.  This memorandum addresses the following issues related to the mass adjustment:

• Increase Maximums and Deductions
• Update Process
• Decreased Benefits or Case Closings
• Conflict of Actions
• Cases Not Adjusted
• Notices
• Fair Hearing Requests
• Manual Revisions

Increased Maximums, Utility Standards, and Deductions

The following changes are made during the mass adjustment:

Allotments	No Change
Standard Deduction	1 – 3 members $155
	4 members $165
	5 members $193
	6+ members $221
Utility Standards	SUA $318
	NHCS $249
	LUA $ 88
	TELEPHONE $ 29
Excess Shelter Deduction	$490
Gross (130%) Maximum	Increased
Net (100%) Maximum	Increased
FPL (165%) Maximum*	Increased

*These maximums are used to determine if an EU whose members are elderly, live with others, and are unable to purchase and prepare food due to a disability, are eligible as separate EUs for Food Stamp benefits.  The Food Stamp Manual section 1105.015.04.05 is updated with the new chart.

Update Process

The Food Stamp Budget Summary (FM4A) screen and Worker Initiated Budget Calculation Area – WIBCA (FMXN) are updated with the new amounts for October 2014 budgets effective September 13, 2014.  While the updates are being completed, FAMIS is unavailable and no actions can be taken until September 15, 2014.

After the eligibility determination is run during the mass adjustment, the following actions on active Food Stamp cases may be displayed in FAMIS, depending on the action taken during the mass adjustment:

Action	EU Log (FM40) Displays	Date	Benefit Month
Increase	INCR	09/15/14	102014
No Change	NOCH	09/15/14	102014
Reduction	REDU	09/15/14	102014
Closing	CLOS	09/15/14	102014

The reason field on the Action Authorization (FM3H) screen displays TUA – Table Update Adjustment (system) for the mass adjustment.  To inquire why an action is taken, on the EU Action Log (FM40), select the action, and press F17=INQAUTH.  The Action Authorization (FM3H) screen appears.  Press F19=REASON.  The reason code and the code description appear.  After payroll closing, the Payment History (FM5F) screen displays the appropriate allotment for each EU.

Decrease Benefits or Case Closings

Following are some examples of eligibility units (EU)  that are decreasing or closing during the mass adjustment:

• Changes entered on a case and an eligibility determination has not been ran.
• Food Stamp cases with information in the system showing a voided reduction or closing.

Conflict of Actions

FAMIS adjusts active Food Stamp cases during the mass adjustment even if the case has a pending adverse action.  A conflict of action is created if there is a pending adverse action when the mass adjustment is completed.  The alert “Adverse Action Needs Resolving” is sent to the eligibility specialist.  Void the adverse action and process the mass adjustment adverse action following these steps:

• Void the first (pending) adverse action on the Action Resolution (FM50 or ACTRES) screen.
• Complete the eligibility determination on the Eligibility Determination Resolution screen (FM3Y or EDRES).
• Authorize the new action, even if the action is a benefit reduction or closing.

Refer to FAMIS user guide Changing An Adverse Action Status for instructions.

Cases Not Adjusted

Pending applications and cases with pending changes cannot be adjusted during the mass adjustment and require the eligibility specialist to take action.  When the eligibility specialist completes the appropriate action, the case will be automatically adjusted.  The following are examples of cases not adjusted:

• Expedited EUs that are active with postponed verification (APV status).
• Any EU with an incomplete eligibility determination, such as when there is insufficient data (ISD).
• Any EU in the controlled flow.

  If an application is pending in the controlled flow for Food Stamps, Temporary Assistance or Child Care, FAMIS sets the Food Stamps to RTA (Ready To Authorize) status on the EU Action Log (FM40).

  FAMIS does not authorize these actions during the mass adjustment.  The eligibility specialist must complete the controlled flow and authorize actions during the normal process.  If the MO HealthNet case is in the controlled flow, the active Food Stamp case is adjusted.

• An unacceptable or blank verification code is entered for a program element.

  EXAMPLE:  The Income Amount (FMX3) screen has a blank verification code for income.

  During the mass adjustment, FAMIS sets the status to PEN (Pending) for the case until the eligibility specialist enters an acceptable form of verification.  The eligibility specialist receives the alert “Action Not Authorized”.

  If no action is taken, FAMIS sends an FA-510, Adverse Action Notice to reduce benefits or close the case, as appropriate, as the unacceptable or blank verification code has not been resolved.  Take the following actions to correct these cases:

  • Review the case file.
  • If the verification is provided, update the verification code.
  • Complete an Eligibility Determination Resolution (FM3Y or EDRES) and authorize the action.

  If the verification is not provided or requested, complete the steps below to request verification:

  • Type OUTVERF on the command line and press enter.  The Outstanding Verification (FM3M) screen is displayed.
  • Select the outstanding verification, press F23=PRINT.
  • Press F17=DOCQUE.  The FA-325 Request for Information form appears with RDPRT (ready to print).
  • Tab to the FA-325, type “P” on the Com line and press F23=PRNT.  The FA-325 is printed locally.
  • Mail the FA-325 to the EU to request the needed verification.

  Once verification is received, update FAMIS with the verification and complete an eligibility determination.

Notices

All EUs with an allotment that increases are sent an FA-150 Action Notice.  The notices are dated September 25, 2014 to allow for mail processing.  The notice informs EU of the following:

• The standard deductions and excess shelter maximum have changed.
• The standard utility allowances have changed.
• The household Food Stamp allotment for October.

Staff may view the notices on the Document Queue (FMVM) screen in FAMIS.

EUs with previously voided actions will receive an FA-510 Adverse Action Notice to decrease benefits or close the case after the mass adjustment.  There will be no 10-day waiting period prior to authorization of the adverse action.

EUs with cases that have an allotment decrease without previously voided actions will receive an FA-150 Claimant Action Notice.

Fair Hearing Request

If the EU requests a fair hearing for the Food Stamp Program, fax the request to the Hearings Unit the same day as the request is received.  Send all Agency evidence to the Hearings Unit as soon as possible.  The action notice should be sent to the Hearings Unit with the original request for hearing within 24 hours.  Hearing exhibits should be sent as soon as possible.  Do not wait until a few days before the hearing to send the exhibits.

Manual Revisions

The Food Stamp Manual is revised online.  The revisions include:

• Updating the 165% poverty level (section 1105.015.04.05)
• Updating the standard deduction (section 1115.035.05)
• Updating the excess shelter maximum for non-elderly/disabled EUs (section 1115.035.25)
• Updating the mandatory utility standards (section 1115.035.25.15)
• Updating the Maximum Allowable Monthly Income Limits and Allotment table (section 1115.099.00)
• Updating the utility standards for pre-strike calculations (section 1135.010.07.05)

The following information is revised on the Intranet:

• Food Stamp Program Changes Flyer
• Simplified Reporting Requirements
• Standards History Chart
• IM-4 Food Stamp Pamphlet
• Manually Calculating a Food Stamp Budget

NECESSARY ACTIONS:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

AC/JM/KS