MEMORANDUM

2014 Memorandums

IM-#47     09/10/14

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
FAMILY SUPPORT DIVISION
P.O. BOX 2320
JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI
TO:
ALL COUNTY OFFICES
FROM:
ALYSON CAMPBELL, DIRECTOR
SUBJECT:
OCTOBER FOOD STAMP MASS ADJUSTMENT FOOD STAMP
MANUAL REVISION#31
1105.015.04.05
1115.035.05
1115.035.25
1115.035.25.15
1115.099.00
1135.010.07.05

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

The following information is revised on the Intranet:

NECESSARY ACTIONS:

AC/JM/KS


2014 Memorandums