MEMORANDUM

DISCUSSION:

The purpose of this memorandum is to inform the MWA Contracted staff of four new work exclusion codes for Temporary Assistance participants and applicants.

The following temporary exclusion codes have been added to the work requirement (COMPACT/FM8B) screen.

• M3 - Active Case with Children's Division (CD)
• M4 - Temporarily Disabled
• M8 - Lack of Child Care
• M9 - Lack of Transportation

These codes will be entered by FSD eligibility staff during the interview or eligibility determination, based on the participant's or applicant's statement. If the applicant or participant provides any verification of the exclusion to FSD staff, it will be shared with the MWA contracted staff by email from the FSD staff to FSD.MWAEXCLUDE@dss.mo.gov.

NOTE:  The MWA staff must assess newly referred participants coded M3, M4, M8, or M9. The MWA staff must obtain proof from the participant, a provider or the FSD to verify the participant meets the exclusion criteria before excluding the participant from participation in work activities.

When an M3 Active Case with CD referral is received, MWA Contracted staff will:

• Generate the Call-In letter, MWA.001 to the participant. 
• Assess the participant, if the participant responds to the call-in. 
• E-mail DISTI@dss.mo.gov to request verification from the CD when the participant states during the assessment that their participation with the CD prevents them from complying with the MWA work requirement. The email will request the CD to verify if the participant is or is not able to cooperate with the MWA work requirement. The TA Processing Team will provide the information to the MWA Contractor when received. 
• Do not continue to grant the exclusion when verification from CD states the participant may comply with the required hours.
• Grant an exclusion to be re-evaluated every 30 days, when verification from the CD states the participant will not be able to comply with the required hours.

When an M4 Temporarily Disabled referral is received, MWA Contracted staff will:

• Generate the Call-In letter, MWA.001 to the participant. 
• Assess the participant, if the participant responds to the call-in.    
• Obtain verification of their disability with an expected end date. 
• Maintain a minimum of one contact each 30 days with the participant during the disability exclusion period.    

When an M8 Lack of Child Care referral is received, MWA contracted staff will:

• Generate the Call-In letter, MWA.001 to the participant. 
• Meet with and assess the participant.
• Treat the participant as a mandatory referral.
• Maintain a minimum of one contact each 30 days with the participant during the exclusion period.
• End the exclusion when the barrier is resolved.  

  When an M9 Lack of Transportation referral is received, MWA Contracted staff will:

• Generate the Call-In letter, MWA.001 to the participant. 
• Meet with and assess the participant.
• Treat the participant as a mandatory referral. 
• Maintain a minimum of one contact each 30 days with the participant during the exclusion period.
• End the exclusion when the barrier is resolved. 

NOTE:  Teaching Work Habits is available in the MWA Manual to assist participants with child care or transportation barriers.

When a participant with an M3/M4/M8/M9 referral code doesn't respond to the call-in letter, or doesn't cooperate with the MWA requirements, follow current conciliation processes to allow for participation or sanction.  To begin the conciliation process, the MWA Contracted staff will send the lift exclusion alert. When the exclusion is lifted/ended, the MWA Contracted staff can begin conciliation with the participant the following day. 

Note:  A task will be received showing the participant has changed from M3/M4/M8/M9 to Mandatory.

MWA Contracted staff will e-mail documentation for exclusions such as verification of pregnancy, temporary disability, etc.to FSD.MWAEXCLUDE@dss.mo.gov.