Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Transcription

1 Commonweath of Massachusetts Executive Office of Heath and Human Services Department of Transitiona Assistance 600 Washington Street Boston MA y-p.= L/ 7 ;+/ (,jb M!:._-- ~~ Fax 97- Fied Operations Memo 97-4sf August 11,1997 To: From: Re:,I Loca Office Staff $J Joyce Sampson, Assistant Commissioner for Fied perations :Q tate Suppementa Food Stamp Program for Certain Background Under the 1997 Emergency Suppementa Appropriations Act which President Cinton signed on June 12,1997, states were given the option to issue state-funded food stamp benefits to certain individuas made ineigibe by federa wefare reform. On Juy 11, 1997, Governor Wed signed into aw a State Suppementa Food Stamp Program (SSFSP) for certain noncitizens. The Department is in the process of drafting SSFSP reguations and procedures as we as anayzing the systems changes necessary to impement the new program. In preparation for these systems changes, this memo provides ixiterim instructions for coding certain individuas and cases being cosed due to ineigibe noncitizen status for food stamp (FS) benefits in accordance with 106 CMR Appropriate coding of these individuas/cases wi enabe the system to automaticay convert these individuas/cases for SSFSP benefits. This Fied Operations Memo repaces Fied Operations Memo which was faxed to oca offices on Friday, August 1, Fied Operations Memo is now obsoete.

2 Page, 2 Ineigibe Due to Federa Wefare Reform Provisions Report PA Food Stamp Househods Certification End Dates a Workers must expain to noncitizens ineigibe for FS benefits soev as a resut of the food stamp noncitizen reguations at 106 CMR that they may be eigibe for SSFSP benefits. Note: The ony noncitizen statuses which wi be ineigibe for both FS and SSFSP benefits are nonimmigrants (current INA status of visitor, student or dipomat) and noncitizens iegay residing in the U.S. With the exception of noncitizen status, SSFSP appicants and recipients must meet a other financia and nonfinancia eigibiity requirements of the Food Stamp Program. In addition, SSFSP appicants and recipients are subject to a SO-day residency requirement. Individuas (reappying for FS benefits after August 1,1997 but not yet approved who are determined ineigibe for FS benefits due to noncitizen status but eigibe for SSFSP must provide verification of having ived in Massachusetts 60 days prior to the (re)appication. Acceptabe verifications are found at 106 CMR (H). Note: There is no durationa residency requirement for the Food Stamp Program. Fied Operations Memo notified workers (PA and NPA) that in ate Juy an updated isting of cases with food stamp end certification dates between August 31,1997 and September 13,1997 woud be sent to oca offices. This report tited: Food Stamp Cases with End Certification Dates 8/31/97 Thru shoud have been received during the week of Juy 28, Fied Operations Memo instructed workers (PA and NPA) to review cases with food stamp end certification dates between August 31,1997 and September 13,1997 using the new food stamp noncitizen provisions and take appropriate action. PA workers shoud be using this report to schedue eigibiity reviews. NPA workers shoud be using this report to manage recertifications. PA/FS workers must schedue an eigibiity review to appy the food stamp noncitizen rues at 106 CMR when the food stamp end certification date is between August 31 and September 13, If eigibe, recertify the category 2 or 4 case according to current procedures.

3 Page 3 PA Food Stamp Househods Certification End Dates (Continued) If some househod members in the category 2 or 4 case are ineigibe for FS benefits, the worker must: + OnDay 1: cose the P&FS case using AR 33; and enter code 5 in Bock 42 to suppress the AR 33 notice; and ondav: esta hsh the category 9 case in accordance with current procedures as FS Status 0 in Bock 51, AR 03 in Bock 53. Estabish a dependents as Status 1 or 2 with AR 03 in Bock 92. This is necessary so that a househod members wi be on PACES for automatic SSFSP conversion and benefit issuance; and enter the number of noncitizen(s) eigibe for the SSFSP in the Fiing Unit Bock in the FIW section of the category 9 Worksheet. This two-digit entry in the Fiing Unit Bock wi identify cases which contain SSFSP-eigibe members; and + OnDay3: deny the househod member(s) ineigibe for FS benefits due to ineigibe noncitizenstatus (106 CMR ) using the FSNL-2; and open the case for food stamp benefits with the appropriate eigibiity AR; and cose the ineigibe househod member(s) with AR 44 in Bock 92 using the start date for food stamp benefits; and open the househod member(s) eigibe for FS benefits with the appropriate eigibiity AR, and prorate the income and sheter expenses of the househod in accordance with Fied Operations Memo See Attachment A: Proration Exampes A, 1B and 1C.

4 Page 4 PA Food Stamp Househods Certification End Dates (Continued) PA Food Stamp Househods Certification End Dates Expired or Future NPA Food Stamp Househods Certification End Dates If a househod members in the category 2 or 4 case are ineigibe for FS benefits and the cash case is remaining open, the worker must: + On Day 1 enter the number of noncitizen(s) eigibe for the SSFSP in the Fiing Unit Bock in the FIW section of the category 2 or 4 Worksheet. This two-digit entry in the Fiing Unit Bock wi identify cases which contain SSFSP-eigibe members; and + On Day 2 cose the PA/% case using AR 44. PA/ES workers may discover,noncitizens no onger eigibe for FS benefits, for exampe, whie coding noncitizens cases for PRISM purposes. The worker must schedue and compete an eigibiity review for these cases before the end of August. Foow the appropriate instructions above for coding the case depending on whether some or a househod members are ineigibe for FS benefits. NPAIFS househods containing noncitizens with end certification dates between and must be reviewed at their recertification interview to determine whether househod members are eigibe for FS benefits in accordance with 106 CMR If eigibe, recertify the category 9 case according to current procedures. If some househod members in a category 9 case are ineigibe for FS benefits, the worker must: + On Day 1 enter the number of noncitizen(s) eigibe for the SSFSP in the Fiing Unit Bock in the FIW section of the category 9 Worksheet. This two-digit entry in the Fiing Unit Bock wi identify cases which contain SSFSP-eigibe members; and

5 Page 5 NPA Food Stamp Househods Certification End Dates (Continued) New/Reopen PA Food Stamp Househods + OnDay2: cose the ineigibe househod member(s) using AR 44 in Bock 92; and a prorate the income and sheter expenses of the househod in accordance with Fied Operations Memo See Attachment A: Proration Exampes. If a househod members in an category 9 case are ineigibe for FS benefits, the worker must: + On Day 1 enter the number of noncitizens eigibe for the SSFSP in the Bock in the FIW section of the category 9 Worksheet. This two-digit entry in the Fiing Unit Bock wi identify cases which contain SSFSP-eigibe members; and + On Day 2 cose the case using AR 44. If a PA/% case containing noncitizen househod members (re)appies for cash assistance and food stamp benefits, the worker must: + estabish the category 2 or 4 case in accordance with current procedures as Status 1 or 2, AR when a verifications necessary to determine eigibiity are received, if some househod members are ineigibe the worker must: for FS benefits, On Day 1 open the category 2 or 4 case with the appropriate eigibiity AFL and/or Program Code. Do not open PAIFS; and PnDaV: esta ish the category 9 case in accordance with current procedures as Status 0 in Bock 51, AB 03 in Bock 53. Estabish a dependents as Status 1 or 2 with AR 03 in Bock 92. This is necessary so that a househod members wi be on PACES for automatic SSFSP conversion and benefit issuance; and enter the number of noncitizen(s) eigibe for the SSFSP in the Fiing Unit Bock in the FIW section of the category 9 Worksheet. This two-digit entry in the Fiing Unit Bock wi identify cases which contain SSFSP-eigibe members; and

6 Page 6 New/Reopen PA Food Stamp Househods (Continued) OnDay 3: + deny the househod member(s) ineigibe for FS benefits due to ineigibe noncitizen status (106 CMR ) using the FSNL-2; and + open the case for food stamp benefits with the appropriate eigibiity AR; and. cose the ineigibe househod member(s) with AR 44 in Bock 92 using the start date for food stamp benefits; and + open the househod member(s) eigibe for FS benefits with the appropriate eigibiity AR, and prorate the income and sheter expenses of the househod in accordance with Fied Operations Memo See Attachment A: Proration Exampes A, 1B and 1C. Note: If the househod is eigibe for expedited food stamp benefits, see Attachment B. If a househod members in the category 2 or 4 case are ineigibe for FS benefits, the worker must: + On Day 1 enter the number of noncitizens eigibe for the SSFSP in the Fiing Unit Bock in the FIW section of the category 2 or 4 Worksheet. This twodigit entry in the Fiing Unit Bock wi identify cases which contain SSFSP-eigibe members; and OnDay2: open the category 2 or 4 case with the appropriate eigibiity AR and/or Program Code; and. deny a househod members for FS benefits due to ineigibe noncitizen status (106 CMR ) using the FSNL-2; and do not activate househod members eigibe for the SSFSP for food stamp benefits; and do not activate the case for food stamp benefits. Note: If the househod was issued expedited food stamp benefits, see Attachment B.

7 Page 7 $$p~n Stamp Househods If an NPA case containing noncitizens in which sane househod members are ineigibe for FS benefits (re)appies, the worker must: + estabish the category 9 case in accordance with current procedures as Status 0 in Bock 51, AR 03 in Bock 53. Estabish a dependents as Status 1 or 2 with AR 03 in Bock 92. This is necessary so that a househod members wi be on PACES for automatic conversion and SSFSP benefit issuance; and + when a verifications necessary to determine eigibiity are received: On Day 1 enter the number of noncitizen(s) eigibe for the SSFSP in the Fiing Unit Bock in the FIW section of the category 9 Worksheet. This two-digit entry in the Fiing Unit Bock wi identify cases which contain SSFSP-eigibe members; and On Day 2: + deny the househod member(s) ineigibe for FS benefits due to ineigibe noncitizen status (106 CMR ) using the FSNL-2; and t open the case for food stamp benefits with the appropriate eigibiity AR; and cose the ineigibe househod member(s) with AR 44 using the start date for food stamp benefits; and + open the househod member(s) eigibe for FS benefits with the appropriate eigibiity AR; and + prorate the income and sheter expenses of the househod in accordance with Fied Operations Memo See Attachment A: Proration Exampes. Note: If the househod is eigibe for expedited food stamp benefits, see Attachment B. If an NPA case containing noncitizens in which a househod members are ineigibe for FS benefits (reappies, the worker must: + estabish the category 9 case in accordance with current procedures as Status 0, AR 03. Estabish a dependents as Status 1 or 2 with AR 03 in Bock 92. This is necessary so that a househod members wi be on PACES for automatic conversion and SSFSP benefit issuance; and

8 Page 8 New/Reopen NPA Food Stamp Househods (Continued) + when a verifications necessary to determine eigibiity are received, do an on-ine cacuation to determine if the househod woud be eigibe for FS benefits except for the noncitizen status of househod members. If no,. enter the income and assets of the househod on a PACES Worksheet so that a system-generated denia notice wi be sent. On Day 1 enter the number of noncitizens eigibe for the SSFSP in the Fiing Unit Bock in the FIWI section of the category 9 Worksheet. This two-digit entry in the Fiing Unit Bock wi identify cases which contain SSFSP-eigibe members; and + On Day2: deny the househod members ineigibe for FS benefits due to ineigibe noncitizen status (106 CMR ) using the FSNLS; and eave the dependents on fie with AR 03 in Bock 92; and extend the case certification period through the November 1997 ATP cyce with a T transaction. This wi ensure that the case does not get cosed by the timey case cosing process before SSFSP benefits are issued; and do not activate the case for food stamp benefits. Note: If the househod was issued expedited food stamp benefits, see Attachment B. Cases GEkd cr for AR 44 Questions No action is required for cases containing ineigibe noncitizens who have aready been cosed for AR 44. You wi receive more information regarding these cases soon. If you have any questions, pease have your Hotine designee ca the Poicy Hotine at (617) Systems questions shoud be directed to Customer Support Services at (617)

9 9i-47A Attachment A: Proration Exampes Exampe 1A: Prorating the Cash Grant A househod members eigibe for cash assistance (AU = 5). Three FS-eigibe househod members. Two SSFSPeigibe househod members. The cast-/grant is $ (4 The worker must determine how much of the grant beongs to each househod member by dividing the cash grant by the number of peope in the AU. ($500/5 = $100) Each househod member s share of the grant is $100. $300 is the FS-eigibe members share of the grant. This amount is countabe to the FS househod. $200 is the SSFSP-eigibe members share of the grant (B) The worker must prorate the SSFSP-eigibe members share of the grant to determine how much wi be countabe to the FS househod: (1) divide the SSFSP-eigibe members share by the tota number of peope in the househod incude a//fseigibe members and a//ssfsp-eigibe members. ($200/5 = $40) (2) mutipy the resut by the number of FS-eigibe members. ($40 X 3 = $120) $120 is SSFSP-eigibe members countabe share of the grant. This amount is countabe to the food stamp househod. v-7 The worker must determine the totacountabe grant amount for FS purposes by adding the FS-eigibe members share of the grant and the SSFSP-eigibe members prorated share of the grant. 300 FS-eigibe members countabe share of grant +QQ SSFSP-eigibe members countabe share of grant 420 Tota countabe grant amount for FS purposes PI Enter $420 as Type OU on the PACES worksheet FIW2, Section 20.

10 Attachment A: Proration Exampes Exampe 78: Prorating Other Unearned Income A househod members eigibe for cash assistance (AU = 5). Three FS-eigibe househod members. Two SSFSPeigibe househod members. One of the SSFSP-eigibe househod members is receiving RSDI in the amount of $250. Remember to prorate the cash assistahce grant as described in Exampe IA. (A) The worker must prorate the SSFSP-eigibe member s RSDI income to determine how much wi be countabe to the FS househod: (1) divide the SSFSP-eigibe member s RSDI income by the tota number of peope in the househod incude a// FS-eigibe members and a// SSFSP-eigibe members. ($250/5 = $50) (2) mutipy the resut by the number of FS-eigibe members. ($50 X 3 = $150) $150 is the FS househod s pro rata share of the SSFSP-eigibe member s RSDI income. (B) Enter $150 as Type OU on the PACES worksheet FIW2, Section 20. Exampe 7C: Prorating Other Earned Income A househod members eigibe for cash assistance (AU = 5). Three FS-eigibe househod members, Two househod SSFSP-eigibe househod members. One of the SSFSP-eigibe househod members has earnings in the amount of $100 per week (determine the monthy income by mutipying the weeky gross earnings by 4.333). Remember to prorate the cash assistance grant as described in Exampe IA. (4 The worker must prorate the SSFSP-eigibe member s monthy earnings to determine how much wi be countabe to the FS househod: (1) divide the SSFSP-eigibe members monthy earnings by the tota number of peope in the househod incude a// FS-eigibe members and a// SSFSP-eigibe members. ($433.30/5 = $86.66) (2) mutipy the resut by the number of FS-eigibe members. ($86.66 X 3 = $259.98) $ is FS househod s pro rata share of the SSFSP-eigibe member s earned income. (B) Enter $ as Type E on the PACES worksheet FIW2, Section 20. er to Fied Operations Memo for instructions an exampe on prorating sheter expenses.

11 Attachment A: Proration Exampes Exampe 2A: Prorating Unearned Income No househod members receiving cash assistance. Two FS-eigibe househod members. Two SSFSP-eigibe househod members. One of the SSFSP-eigibe Househod members is receiving SSI in the amount of $400. (A) The worker must prorate the SSFSP-eigibe member s SSI income to determine how much wi be countabe to the FS househod: (1) divide the SSFSP-eigibe member s SSI income by the tota number of peope in the househod incude a// FS-eigibe members and a//ssfsp-eigibe members. ($400/4 = $100) (2) mutipy the resut by the number of FS-eigibe members. ($100 X 2 = $200) $200 is the FS househod s pro rata share of the SSFSP-eigibe member s RSDI income. (8) Enter $200 as Type OU on the PACES worksheet FIW2, Section 20. Exampe 28: Prorating Earned Income No househod members receiving cash assistance. Two FS-eigibe househod members. Two househod SSFSP-eigibe househod members. One of the SSFSP-eigibe househod members has earnings in the amount of $50 per week (determine the monthy income by mutipying the weeky gross earnings by ) (A) The worker must prorate the SSFSP-eigibe monthy member s earnings to determine how much wi be countabe to the FS househod: (1) divide the SSFSP-eigibe member s monthy earnings by the tota number of peope in the househod incude a FS-eigibe members and a// SSFSP-eigibe members. ($216.65/4 = $54.16) (2) mutipy the resut by the number of FS-eigibe members. ($54.16 X 2 = $ ) $ is the FS househods pro rata share of the SSFSP-eigibe member s earned income, (B) Enter $ as Type E on the PACES worksheet FIW2, Section 20. Refer to Fied Operations Memo for instructions and an exampe on prorating sheter expenses.

12 Attachment B Issuing Expedited Food Stamp Benefits to Househods Food Stamo Househods Containinu SSFSP-Ony Members SSFSP-eigibe noncitizens are not eigibe for expedited food stamp benefits during the months of September and October. Instructions for issuing expedited food stamp benefits to SSFSP-ony househods beginning in November wi be issued at a ater date... Food Stamp Househods Cow? Bo th FS and SSFS P Members For a NPA and PA househods containing noncitizens who (re)appy for food stamp benefits, workers must determine whether the househod is entited to expedited service in accordance with 106 CMR et seq. If verification of noncitizen status is not provided within the expedited time frame, the worker must determine eigibiity for expedited benefits based on the (re)appicant s statement regarding noncitizen status. Note: If expedited food stamp benefits were issued to an entire househod using action reason 19 and the worker subsequenty receives verification that some members are not eigibe for FS benefits, there is no QC error impact. If the worker determines that the househod is eigibe for expedited service, the worker must:. determine if the househod is entited to Reguar or Specia expedited FS benefits (see chart in Fied Operations Memo 97-17, Attachment H); and. manuay cacuate and issue expedited food stamp benefits. 4 Do a PACES on-ine cacuation for a FS-eigibe househod members to determine the correct amount of expedited food stamp benefits. Do not incude SSFSP-eigibe megbers in this cacuation. Exampe: A househod containing five members is eigibe for expedited service. Three of the househod members are eigibe for FS benefits and two are eigibe for SSFSP benefits. When cacuating the expedited FS benefits, the worker must enter a househod size of three on the PACES CALC screen to determine the expedited food stamp benefit amount.

13 Attachment B Issuing Expedited Food Stamp Benefits to Househods (Continued) * If the case is in an EBT region, a Day 7 expedited EBT FS benefit must be issued:. Open the category 9 case with FS Status 0 in Bock 51, action reason 18 in Bock 53 and the case action reason must be 03 in Bock 33. Enter 00 in Bock 60 and the expedited EBT FS benefit amount in Bock 61. Note: Use action reason 18 during the entire 7-day expedited time frame. Do not use action reason 19 if you know that the househod contains both FS-eigibe and SSFSPeigibe members. If the case is in a nonebt region, an OTC ATP must be issued. Do not issue system-generated benefits for these cases.. Open the category 9 case with FS Status 0 in Bock 51, action reason 03 in bock 53 and case action reason 03 in Bock 33. Enter 00 in Bock 60 and the expedited ATP amount in Bock 61. Note: Use action reason 03 during the entire 7-day expedited time frame. Do not use action reason 19 if you know that the househod contains both FS-eigibe and SSFSPeigibe members. If the worker determines that the househod does not quaify for expedited services, the worker must process the appication according to norma 30-day processing standards. Food Stamp Househods : F&Ony Members Foow the usua expedited service processing procedures.