2011 Ops Memos

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Obsolete DTA Field Operations Memos 2010-2014

DTA
A list of DTA memos from 2010 to 2014 that DTA says are obsolete as of January 4, 2016.

2011 DTA Field Operations Memos -- INDEX to Memos

DTA
Index of Field Operations Memos (and Operations Memos) issued by DTA in 2011. 

Ops Memo 2011-60: SNAP-Out-of-State Accessing of SNAP Benefits

DTA
It has recently come to the attention of the Department that a number of SNAP households have been accessing their SNAP benefits electronically through Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT), for over 90 days, in out-of-state locations. This is an indication that the households may no longer reside in…

Ops Memo 2011-55A: TAFDC, EAEDC, SNAP -- Changes to Reevaluation Process: Phase One

DTA
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) requires DTA to close SNAP cases at the end of their recertification period if a recertification has not been completed prior to the closing date. To that end, effective November 21, 2011, the Department changed Reevaluation functionality on BEACON…

Ops Memo 2011-53: TAFDC – New Five-Year (60-Month) Period

DTA
This Operations Memo advises case managers about changes to affected clients’ cases as a result of the new five-year (60-month) period.

Ops Memo 2011-56: TAFDC – BAPIC’s Young Parents Program (YPP) Shutdown

DTA
This Operations Memo serves to advise staff that the Brockton Area Private Industry Council, Inc. (BAPIC) will shut down operation of its Young Parents Program (YPP).Effective with this Operations Memo, no referrals to BAPIC YPP may be made by TAO staff. BAPIC has been removed from BEACON as a…

Ops Memo 2011-54: SNAP – Reinstatement of Benefit Offset for SNAP Overpayments

DTA
Beginning November 21, 2011, the Department is reinstating the benefit offset process for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) households that have received an overpayment and have an establishedoverpayment claim. The purpose of this Operations Memo is to advise staff about the benefit…

Ops Memo 2011-55: TAFDC, EAEDC, SNAP – Changes to Reevaluation Process: Phase One

DTA
This Operations Memo advises TAO staff about changes to BEACON and to the reevaluation process.

Ops Memo 2011-48: DTA Families Receiving DHCD HomeBASE Housing Assistance

DTA
This Operations Memo informs staff about the HomeBASE housing assistance program. The memo also addresses the impact HomeBASE assistance has on the cash assistance and SNAP programs.Case managers have no responsibility for determining eligibility for EA and HomeBASE assistance. 

Ops Memo 2011-52: SNAP - Fall 2011 Heat and Eat (H-EAT) Program Update

DTA
DTA, in collaboration with the Department of Housing and Community Development, provides H-EAT benefits to eligible SNAP households each year.  , , , This memo will review H-EAT Fuel Assistance Program criteria, explain the responsibilities of DTA and DHCD, discuss notices to H-EAT clients,…

Ops Memo 2011-51: SNAP-Virtual Gateway Minimal Data Applications

DTA
The purpose of this memo is to advise Department staff about the VG Minimal Data application process.

Ops Memo 2011-49: TAFDC - Increased Work Participation Hours Clean-up

DTA
Effective the night of October 21, any client with a work requirement reason of “Youngest Child School thru 8” “Noncitizen, School thru 8” “2 Prt, Yngst Child School thru 8” “2 Prt Noncitizen, School thru 8” will have the reason changed to the…

Ops Memo 2011-50: SNAP - October 2011 Annual Cost-of-Living and Standard Utility Allowances (SUAs) Change

DTA
COLA changes for the SNAP program.

Ops Memo 2011-46: TAFDC – Employment Services Program (ESP) Reinstatement of Referrals

DTA
Operations Memo 2011-30 advised TAO staff that no referrals to Employment Services Program (ESP) funded activities could be made at any TAO. Due to the Fiscal Year ’12 budget reduction in the Employment Services Program, the Department is reducing the funding for ESP vendors providing…

Ops Memo 2011-45: TAFDC-Young Parents Program (YPP) Resumption of Referrals

DTA
Operations Memo 2011-28 advised staff that no referrals to the Young Parents Program (YPP) could be made at any TAO. This Operations Memo advises TAO staff that referrals to YPP programs may resume effective immediately. YPP resources will be added to BEACON as vendors are approved; if the vendor is…

Ops Memo 2011-43: SNAP - Annual Reporting Process Phase Two: The Interim Report Process

DTA
Effective September 12, 2011 the Interim Report, phase two of the Annual Reporting (AR) process (see Operations memo 2011-31: SNAP – Annual Reporting Process), has been programmed into BEACON. Beginning 45 days before the end of the sixth month of the AR period, the Interim Reports will be…

Ops Memo 2011-40A: TAFDC -- Clothing Allowance, September 2011

DTA
The Department will issue a nonrecurring clothing allowance of $150 per eligible TAFDC client under the age of 19 for September 2011. This Operations Memo is being reissued to correct dates found on page 3.Obsoletes Ops Memo 2011-40. 

Ops Memo 2011-39: TAFDC – FY ’12 Budget: Transportation Payments Reduction

DTA
Due to the Fiscal Year ’12 budget reduction in the Employment Services Program, the Department is reducing Transportation payments for all clients. The transportation reimbursement payment will be a maximum of $40 monthly. This change is effective for October’s reimbursement for…

Ops Memo 2011-41: TAFDC and EAEDC – Limitations on Use of Cash Benefits

DTA
On July 28, 2011 the Legislature passed and the Governor signed a law which prohibits:DTA cash clients from using any direct cash assistance received from the Department to purchase alcoholic beverages, lottery tickets and tobacco products.stores from selling the alcoholic beverages, lottery tickets…

Ops Memo 2011-42: TAFDC – FY ’12 Budget: Increased Work Participation Hours

DTA
The Fiscal Year ’12 state budget increases clients’ work program equirement from 24 hours per week to 30 hours per week if their youngest child is between mandatory full-time school age and eight years old.This memo informs case managers:about the Work Program requirement changes;how to…

Ops Memo 2011-44: SNAP: Household Misfortune Related to Hurricane Irene

DTA
Hurricane Irene passed through Massachusetts on August 28, 2011, bringing significant damage to a number of communities. Affected households who receive SNAP benefits may request replacement of food lost due to household misfortune, such as an extended power outage, a flood or an equipment failure…

Ops Memo 2011-38: SNAP - Application Processing: Interview Requirement and 30-Day Processing Time Frame

DTA
This Operations Memo briefly reviews two SNAP requirements that are error prone:the interview requirement; andthe requirement to process a SNAP application within 30 days.It also provides a brief clarification on SNAP denials before day 30.

Ops Memo 2011-37: TAFDC – DTA Works Program Reminder

DTA
The purpose of this Operations Memo is to remind TAO staff about:DTA Works expansion;client eligibility for DTA Works;and the responsibilities of the Intern Supervisor and case manager.Obsoletes Field Ops Memo 2010-20.

Ops Memo 2011-36: Automating SNAP Categorical Eligiblty in BEACON (Reopening Instructions for 1 & 2 person HHS)

DTA
Note from MLRI:  DTA has issued this guidance to instruct DTA local office staff on how to reopen SNAP cases involving elderly/disabled one and two-person households. These households typically received Social Security (RSDI) and had income that exceeded the net income limit. As…

Ops Memo 2011-35: TAFDC – Distance Learning as a Work Program Activity

DTA
Distance Learning refers to video- and or computer-based educational activities available on the Internet. The Department has approved 15 Massachusetts Community Colleges as Distance Learning sites to help clients meet their work program requirement (see Attachment A).This operations memo provides…

Ops Memo 2011-33A: Automating SNAP Categorical Eligiblty in BEACON (1&2 person HHs)

DTA
DTA will now provided the $16 minimum SNAP benefit to 1 and 2 person households whose net income exceeds the 100% FPL net income level but whose gross income is below 200% FPL (if elder/disabled). This $16 minimum benefit will also be provided to childless adults age 19 - 59 (and not disabled) whose…

Ops Memo 2011-31: SNAP Annual Reporting Process

DTA
To streamline the SNAP recertification process, this Operations Memo introduces the Annual Reporting (AR) process for households currently receiving earned or unearned income or is homeless. Federal law allows for a  ertification of one year for households with earned or unearned income as…

Ops Memo 2011-34: TAFDC – ESP BEACON Changes

DTA
BEACON is being modified to reflect changes to ESP. This Operations Memo advises TAO staff about these changes.  

Ops Memo 2011-29: SNAP- Reinstatement of the Elderly/Disabled No Interview Waiver

DTA
In November 2009, the Department implemented a USDA approved waiver of the face-to-face interview requirement at recertification. This waiver affected SNAP households where all members were either elderly (60 or older) or disabled and had no earned income (and are not BayState CAP…

Ops Memo 2011-27: SNAP - Automatic D-SNAP Supplements for Brimfield, Monson and Wilbraham

DTA
The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) received approval from the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to automatically issue D-SNAP supplements to ongoing SNAP households who reside in Brimfield, Monson, or Wilbraham. Ongoing SNAP households in these three communities will not…

Ops Memo 2011-25: TAFDC – ESP Clean-up

DTA
In preparation for a mailing to ESP clients informing them about possible funding reductions in ESP, it is important that clients who are enrolled in an ESP activity that has ended be terminated from the activity on BEACON. Terminating inactive ESP clients will prevent them receiving an incorrect…

Ops Memo 2011-26: SSI Special Benefits: Disaster

DTA
Operations Memo 2011-23 detailed procedures for issuing disaster SNAP benefits as a result of the June 1, 2011 storm that included several tornadoes. This Operations Memo reminds TAO staff about Disaster benefits for certain SSI clients. This Operations Memo also gives procedures for administering…

Ops Memo 2011-24: SNAP – Disaster SNAP Supplements for Twelve Communities

DTA
Field Operations Memo 2011-23 primarily focused on the operation of a Disaster SNAP (D-SNAP) for applicants who were not currently receiving SNAP benefits. Since then, the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) received approval from the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to issue…

Ops Memo 2011-23: SNAP- TAFDC- EAEDC: Disaster SNAP for Certain Communities in Hampden & Worcester

DTA
Following a Presidential Declaration of Disaster, the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) has received approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to operate a Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) for certain…

Ops Memo 2011-32: EAEDC -- Extension and Redesignation of TPS for Haitains Affected by the January 2010 Earthquake

DTA
DHS has extended the Temporary Protected Status designation and redesignated Haiti for TPS for 18 months from July 23, 2011 through January 22, 2013.  This memo advises staff about the extension of the TPS status for Haiti and how it affects current Haitian TPS beneficiaries.

Ops Memo 2011-20A: SNAP: Replacement of Food Lost Due to Tornadoes that Occurred on June 1, 2011

DTA
A storm, including several tornadoes, passed through Massachusetts on June 1, 2011, bringing significant damage to a number of communities. Among these communities, several were without power for a significant period of time and FNS has deemed them eligible to receive mass replacement of SNAP…

Field Ops Memo 2011-19: TAFDC - Franklin/Hampshire Employment and Training Shutdown

DTA
This Operations Memo serves to advise staff that effective June 23, 2011, Franklin/Hampshire Employment and Training will suspend operations for the Greenfield TAO. Therefore, effective with this Operations Memo, no referrals to Franklin/Hampshire Employment and Training may be made by TAO staff in…

Ops Memo 2011-15: TAFDC and SNAP – Income Tax Refunds as Noncountable Assets

DTA
Purpose of Memo:The Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 was signed into law on December 17, 2010. This law makes changes to how the TAFDC and SNAP programs treat Federal income tax refunds.This memo outlines changes to how federal income tax refunds…

Ops Memo 2011-16: TAFDC – Community Service Sites Cleanup

DTA
Background The Department has completed its review of the current Community Services Sites List. Efforts were made by telephone and written correspondence to update the Community Services Sites List to determine if the sites are to remain active for future community service referrals. Central Office…

Ops Memo 2011-17: Spring 2011 SNAP Heat and Eat (H-EAT) Program Update

DTA
BackgroundThe Heat & Eat (H-EAT) Program is a partnership between DTA and the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) for the purpose of identifying and enrolling eligible SNAP clients in the Low Income Heat and Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).On the evening of April 22, 2011,…

Ops Memo 2011-14: SNAP: Cost-of-Living Changes

DTA
Overview The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is a mass change that is applied to the entire SNAP caseload. The COLA is usually effective on October 1 each year, coinciding with the beginning of the federal fiscal year. For various administrative reasons, the COLA has been postponed twice since…

Ops Memo 2011-13: TAFDC – Changes to the Resource Team in Worcester and Springfield Liberty TAOs

DTA
Background On June 13, 2006, DTA established Resource Teams in certain TAOs. This on-site Resource Team affords applicants and clients (hereafter referred to as clients) the opportunity to meet with a Resource Team member who provided an assessment of the client’s service needs, assistance…

Ops Memo 2011-12: Random Moment Sampling E-mail Survey System Reminder

DTA
Overview Federal regulations mandate the Department to determine administrative expenses for federal and state programs allowing the Department to receive federal reimbursement for a portion of those expenses. The vehicle to comply with this mandate is the Random Moment Sampling (RMS) process. RMS…

Ops Memo 2011-08A: Prioritizing SNAP Recertifications by Release Date

DTA
OverviewBeginning with April’s SNAP issuance, the automatic closing for failure to recertify for continuing eligibility will resume for NPA SNAP households and Pure SSI SNAP households. If the household has not been recertified by the appropriate BEACON Release Date for the next SNAP Benefit…

Ops Memo 2011-11: TAFDC – Corporation for Public Management (CPM) Partial Shutdown

DTA
CPM Office Closures This Operations Memo serves to advise staff that effective March 31, 2011 the Corporation for Public Management (CPM), which is a CIES vendor, will suspend operations in the following TAOs: Brockton, Dudley Square, Newmarket Square, Springfield Liberty, Malden, Revere and…

Ops Memo 2011-10: TAFDC – Jewish Vocational Services (JVS) Partial Shutdown, Lawrence Department of Training and Developme

DTA
CPM Office Closures This Operations Memo serves to advise staff that effective March 31, 2011, the Jewish Vocational Services (JVS) will suspend operations in the following TAOs: Malden and Revere.Important: JVS is not suspending operations in Boston. Additionally, the City of Lawrence’s…

Field Ops Memo 2011-06: TAFDC – Corporation for Public Management (CPM) Partial Shutdown

DTA
CPM Office Closures This Operations Memo serves to advise staff that effective February 28, 2011, the Corporation for Public Management (CPM) which is a CIES vendor will suspend operations in the following TAOs: Fitchburg, Plymouth and Southbridge. Therefore, effective with this Operations Memo, no…

Field Ops Memo 2011-04 The ARRA $25 Weekly Unemployment Compensation Payment Has Ended For All Claimants

DTA
Overview The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), also known as the Economic Stimulus package, included a provision that authorized an additional $25 weekly unemployment compensation (UC) benefit to eligible claimants. However, under the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of…

Field Ops Memo 2011-01: Medex Premium Rate Changes and Medicare Changes

DTA
Overview Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts has announced Medex premium rate changes for the following non-group plans: Bronze, Core, Gold, Silver, Standard, Basic, Core Plus, Basic No Rx and Core Plus No Rx.These changes were effective on January 1, 2011.This memo:identifies the non-group…

Field Ops Memo 2011-03: TAO Reception Log (e-Log)

DTA
Overview A new tool has been developed for use in the TAOs to better organize the flow of clients who visit the office, to improve customer service, to gain a better understanding of why individuals visit the TAOs and to allow DTA to better distribute resources to assist those individuals. This tool…