As a result of the Thibeault Settlement Agreeement, the Department has agreed to provide retroactive relief to certain current TAFDC recipients and a notice to certain former TAFDC recipients whose disability application had been previously denied by HealthPro for reasons other than failing to meet the requirements of the Initial Appointment for Medical Treatment (IAMT) letter...

As a result of the Thibeault Settlemetn Agreeement, the Department has agreed to provide retroactive relief to certain current TAFDC recipients and a notice to certain former TAFDC recipients whose disability application had been previously denied by HealthPro for reasons other than failing to meet the requirements of the Initial Appointment for Medical Treatment (IAMT) letter...

Effective January 2003, Social Security benefits and SSI payments increased by 1.4 percent. The base level Medicare Part B premium increased from $54.00 to $58.70. The Medicare Part B penalty premium also increased, as identified in the 2003 Medicare Part B Surcharge Premiums chart (see Attachment A).

Budget shortfalls caused the Department to implement a funding reduction for the SSFSP in May 2002. Since then, eligible SSFSP participants received full benefits for July 2002, and partial benefits for August 2002. Because the Department has depleted all funding for the current fiscal year, the Department must formally shut down the Program. This Field Operations Memo gives AU Managers procedures for processing noncitizen applicants and recipients impacted by the elimination of this Program.

This memo provides information on four topics found in State Letter 1247 that impact EA eligibility. State Letter 1247 is effective February 3, 2003. 1. SSI income is now countable income for EA purposes 2. Additional 30 days of shelter when income exceeds EA Eligibility Standard 3. Relationship to the needy child changes 4. 12-month rule changes

Effective April 1, 2003, the Farm Bill restores food stamp eligibility to qualified noncitizens as defined in 106 CMR 362.240 who have lived in the United States for five years or longer.

This Field Operations Memo gives further instructions regarding the Massachusetts One Stop Career Center and recipients’ responsibilities while participating in the One Stop Career Center.

Field Operations Memo 2003-6 and Field Operations Memo 2003-6 A gave information about the impact of elimination of funding for the Employment Services Program. Field Operations Memo 2003-6 B gave information about the Massachusetts One Stop Career Center. This Field Operations Memo informs TAO Staff about the reinstatement of the Young Parent Program (YPP) component.

Effective April 1, 2003, Basic MassHealth for long-term unemployed adults ends. This termination impacts approximately 42,000 MassHealth recipients.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts has announced Medex premium rate changes to six non-group plans: Basic, Bronze, Gold, Standard, Core and Silver. These changes were effective on March 17, 2003.

As of March 24, 2003, all family shelter information will be in BEACON. BEACON will have a resource list of all EA shelters. The specific shelter information will be associated for each EA AU in shelter. This information will enable the Department to identify where each EA AU has been placed and will provide statistical information on demographics at specific shelter sites. These instructions should be considered Phase 1 of EA AU information in BEACON.

This Field Operations memo: · Identifies the noncitizens subject to sponsor deeming; · Lists the noncitizens exempt from sponsor deeming; · Defines the duration of sponsor deeming; · Provides instructions for determining the income to be deemed from the sponsor; and · Provides instructions for determining the asset to be deemed from the sponsor.

This Field Operations Memo: · Discusses the BEACON automatic restoration of noncitizens into existing FS AUs; · Transmits a copy of the notice (Attachment A) that will be sent to the existing FS AUs that contain noncitizens automatically opened for federal food stamp benefits; and · Provides information regarding a list that identifies existing FS AUs that contain noncitizens automatically opened for federal food stamp benefits.

The Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has been informed by the federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) agency that, until further notice, no new Section 8 Vouchers will be issued by its network of Regional Housing Authorities. This ruling does not impact families who currently have a Section 8 Voucher.

RMS was implemented to comply with TANF federal regulations regarding state cost allocation plans. RMS is a technique for scientifically determining the amount of effort spent by a group of employees on various activities. The results of the sampling yield the proper allocation of administrative costs to the appropriate benefiting programs. The process involves the RMS Coordinator at Central Office calling TAO AU Managers and asking questions about the activity they were engaged in prior to receiving the call. Each day, 40 observation forms are randomly selected, 20 observations to be completed each morning and 20 observations to be completed each afternoon. Through the cooperative efforts of the AU Managers and the RMS Coordinators, observation forms are completed both accurately and in a timely manner.

Effective April 1, 2003, the Farm Bill restored food stamp eligibility to Legal Permanent Residents and other qualified noncitizens as defined in 106 CMR 362.240 who have lived in the United States for five years or longer. Based on BEACON noncitizen information, 1,630 noncitizens (former SSFSP recipients) do not appear eligible for federal food stamp benefits This field operations memo: * Discusses the notice that was sent to noncitizens (former SSFSP recipients) that do not appear eligible for federal food stamp benefits. * Provides information regarding a report of these ineligible noncitizens. This report will be sent separately by e-mail.

Food stamp outreach is a priority for the Department and the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (USDA-FNS). TAOs have been very successful in increasing Food Stamp Program (FSP) participation rates while keeping error rates low. In the last year FSP participation increased by 25%, while at the same time the error rate decreased by 25%.

The FY 04 budget requires the elimination of:

• Students as a categorical eligibility reason for EAEDC; and
• The rent allowance for EAEDC applicants and recipients.

The FY04 budget requires the elimination of students as a categorial eligiblity reason for EAEDC; and rent allowance for EAEDC applicants and recipients. These changes were effective July 1, 2003 for all EAEDC applicants. This Field Operations Memo describes the actions taken by MIS to reduce or terminate active EEDC AU's.

This memo informs FS AU Managers about: • who may participate in the FS/E&T Program; • prioritizing FS/E&T referrals based on slot availability; and • the process of referring AU members. See State Letter 1258 for related Policy.

In April of 2003 the provisions of HIPAA went into effect. These federal privacy provisions protect patients' medical records and other health information provided to health plans, doctors, hospitals, pharmacies and other health care providers. These provisions also provide patients with access to their medical records and more control over how their personal health information is used and disclosed.

The Department has certain obligations towards applicants and recipients under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Section 504 makes it illegal for public agencies receiving federal funds to discriminate against individuals with disabilities. Title II of the ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by states and government entities.

The Department will pay a nonrecurring clothing allowance for September 2003 for TAFDC recipients. The clothing allowance is $150 per recipient under the age of 19. The clothing allowance is prorated for recipients eligible in September 2003 but who have a start date after September 1, 2003.

A recent review of EAEDC AUs has found the following error: EAEDC recipients receiving a Living Arrangement H budget do not have a correct Mandatory/Responsible role with an associated (Spousal) EAEDC AU.

Effective September 8, 2003, nonexempt grantees whose youngest child is between the ages of two and mandatory full-time school age: 1)are now required to meet the Work Program requirement unless they meet a reason found in 106 CMR 203.400(A)(1). 2) may meet the Work Program requirement through Department-approved education or training activities in addition to employment or community service. 3) if in the final three months of time-limited benefits and currently enrolled and participating in a Department-approved education or training activity, may be granted a three-month extension to complete the activity. A second three-month extension may be granted to complete the activity, if necessary.

A Superior Court Judge has recently issued a decision in favor of a TAFDC parent seeking an exemption of the work requirement as a caretaker of a disabled child. In this case, the child attends school full-time and the medical provider did not certify on the TAFDC-4 that the parent had to be home during normal school hours to care for the child.

Effective October 1, 2003, the Farm Bill restores food stamp eligibility to qualified noncitizen children under 18 years old, regardless of their date of entry into the United States (see 106 CMR 362.220(A)). In addition, beginning October 1, 2003, eligible children will be exempt from Noncitizen Sponsorship Deeming requirements.

A superior court judge has issued a temporary restraining order mandating that the Department stop imposing the $100 per night charge to an EA AU who loses a shelter termination appeal after requesting that the Department continue their assistance pending their appeal.

State Letter 1263 issues policy revisions implementing the following cost-of-living changes in the Food Stamp Program, effective 10/1/2003: * Maximum Benefit Allotments - The maximum benefit levels for all assistance unit (AU) sizes have increased (see Attachment A). * Gross, Net and 165 Percent Income Eligibility Standards - The Gross, Net and 165 Percent Income Eligibility Standards have increased (see Attachment A). * Shelter Deduction - The Maximum Shelter Deduction increased to $378. * Standard Deduction - The Standard Deduction for AU size 1 through 4 remains. The Standard Deduction amounts for AU sizes 5 and greater have increased.

Over the past few weeks, there have been a number of issues called into the Policy Hotline regarding clarification of a pregnant woman’s eligibility for EA Here are some of the eligibility facts about the EA Program.

DTA and DOR are working together to collect the information needed to issue an order for genetic marker tests (GMT) when paternity has not been established for the child. Genetic marker tests, also called paternity tests, use the DNA from the father, mother and child to determine the probability of paternity. Critical to this process is the Mother’s Affidavit which is signed by the mother identifying the father of the child.

Certain EAEDC elderly recipients (age 65 or older) may now be eligible and must reapply for SSI benefits because of a change in their noncitizen status or more up-to-date information on their work history. They were initially denied SSI because of their noncitizen status. Some of these recipients may also be disabled with a disability expected to last 12 months or more. In addition to reducing Department costs, encouraging applicants/recipients to apply for and follow through with the SSI process ensures a greater cash benefit for the recipient once the SSI is approved.

Field Operations Memo 2003-32 gave TAO Staff instructions for making referrals to TransAction Associates for transportation services.