- TO:
- ALL FAMILY SUPPORT DIVISION OFFICES
- FROM:
- PATRICK LUEBBERING, ACTING DIRECTOR
- SUBJECT:
- FOOD STAMP APPLICATIONS RECEIVED FROM HURICANE HARVEY EVACUEES
DISCUSSION:
Due to the devastation in Texas, following Hurricane Harvey, residents were evacuated from their homes. Many of these individuals have come to Missouri and are applying for Food Stamp benefits. This policy applies to these evacuees.
Missouri has chosen to serve evacuees through normal food stamp processing procedures. However, field staff will need to track all applications from individuals claiming to be an evacuee from Hurricane Harvey.
When field staff receives an application and it is indicated that the applicant is an evacuee of Hurricane Harvey, please follow the following steps to ensure the applications are properly tracked in ITrackRS for reporting purposes.
RC Greeter Dashboard
- Reason For Visit = Application
- Sub-Reason for Visit = Select application type
- Comments = Enter “Hurricane Harvey, Texas”
- Reason for Visit = Interview
- Sub-Reason for Visit = Select application type
- Comments = Enter “Hurricane Harvey, Texas”
Mail-In Dashboard
- Reason = Select application type
- Comments = Enter “Hurricane Harvey, Texas”
MERIT Call Centers Dashboard
- Reason for Call = Select application type
- Sub-Reason for Call = Select reason
- Comments = Enter “Hurricane Harvey, Texas”
For all disaster applications received, regardless of source (mail, resource center) staff must ensure that all disaster applications are entered in ITrackRS.
TO VERIFY DUPLICATE PARTICIPATION IN TEXAS:
Staff will need to screen applicants for duplicate participation and contact Texas prior to issuing benefits. To verify duplicate participation within the state of Texas, call 1-877-541-7905; then select the following options from the Interactive Voice Response System:
- Option 1 for English;
- Option 2 for Your Texas benefit information;
- Option 1 for Medicaid, SNAP, and TANF information;
- Option 1 to enter Social Security number for someone on your case; -OR-
- Option 2 enter your case number –OR-
- Option 3 if information is unknown of for help with the YourTexasBenefits.com website; (caller will be routed to the next available agent)
To obtain replacement EBT cards for ongoing SNAP households that are certified in Texas but have evacuated to Missouri, individuals should contact the Lone Star Help Desk at 1-800-777-7EBT (1-800-777-7328) to request a replacement card and one will be mailed.
NECESSARY ACTION:
- Review this memorandum with the appropriate staff.
PL/jb