Covers multiple general improvements and new eligibility for some elders and for SSI recipients with short-term (less than 30 day) SSI case closure.

This Field Operations Memo discusses the impact of this change on TAO staff and provides AU Manager instructions for processing these AUs as well as error rate implications.

Recertification of Bay State CAP Assistance Units (AUs) will occur either when the Social Security Administration (SSA) redetermines eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or when the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) recertifies the AUs. It is expected that the majority of Bay State CAP AUs will be recertified for food assistance benefits as part of the SSI redetermination. However, some Bay State CAP AUs will not be redetermined for SSI within the three-year certification period for food assistance benefits. The final USDA approval for Bay State CAP allows DTA to recertify Bay State CAP AUs.

Two previous Field Operations Memos provided information concerning issues that have arisen since the implementation of Bay State CAP. Field Operations Memos 2005-18 and 2005-33 addressed conversion issues, ongoing process issues, and outreach issues. This memo provides information concerning additional process and outreach issues. The format is a series of questions and answers.

New Program which will allow many SSI recipients to apply for Food Stamps through SSA and receive higher FS benefit levels with less hassle. Attached are a description of new program, Field Ops Memo introducing and implementing it, DTA's June letter to recipients, June 22 Field Ops Memo that includes detailed information on outreach efforts and materials plus copies of the notices sent out and a form that  clients can use to report higher shelter costs (to get increased Bay State CAP food stamp benefits), and a chart showing how the Bay State CAP benefits are calculated for elder and disabled households, with high and low shelter costs; also an article from the Boston Globe AND INFORMATION ON PHASE II. 

Field Operations Memo 2005-50 provided information about Bay State CAP  Phase Two Outreach activities. Instructions for processing an application for regular food stamp benefits for a pending Bay State CAP Outreach AU are found on pages 7 and 8.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Combined Application Project (Bay State CAP) created an easier way for eligible Supplemental Security Income (SSI) applicants/recipients to apply for food assistance. The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) implemented the project on February 1, 2005. As part of the initial implementation, DTA converted existing eligible Food Stamp Assistance Units (FS AUs) to Bay State CAP.

This memo provides additional Bay State CAP process information as well as Phase One outreach issues. The format is a series of questions and answers, and is divided into two sections: ongoing process issues and outreach issues.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Combined Application Project (Bay State CAP) created a new and simpler way for eligible Supplemental Security Income (SSI) applicants/recipients to apply for food assistance. The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) implemented the project on February 1, 2005. As part of the initial implementation, DTA converted existing eligible Food Stamp Assistance Units (AUs) to Bay State CAP.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Combined Application Project (Bay State CAP) was implemented on February 1, 2005. Field Operations Memo 2005-4 provided detailed information about the Bay State CAP project, including the responsibilities of Social Security Administration (SSA) and Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) staff. The memo also described the conversion process, in which BEACON converted eligible food stamp Assistance Units (AUs) in receipt of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to BayState CAP. This memo transmits information regarding issues/concerns that have been raised in connection with the implementation of Bay State CAP. The format is a series of questions and answers and is divided into two sections: conversion issues and process issues.

The Combined Application Project (Bay State CAP) was developed through the cooperative effort of the DTA, SSA, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The project is part of DTA’s continued effort to increase participation in the Food Stamp Program. DTA and SSA realize that SSI recipients are an underserved population. It is estimated that 68,000 SSI recipients in Massachusetts are eligible for but not receiving food stamp benefits. Nutritional assistance in the form of food stamps would be a vital benefit to this elderly and disabled population. Approximately 20,000 current SSI/FS recipients will be converted to Bay State CAP for February 2005 benefits. See Initial Bay State CAP Conversion section of this memo for details.