MR #09.33: Expansion of EZ REDE and Budgeting Revisions

Summary:

Starting 12/14/09, EZ REDE is expanded to include Category 94/96 SNAP cases without earnings.
Starting 12/14/09, the approval period for Category 94/96 SNAP cases is 6 months.
SNAP units where the unit's only earnings are from a sheltered workshop or the unit is a migrant or seasonal farmworker unit are no longer excluded from EZ REDE.
Unless a change in income is expected, the income used to determine eligibility for the new EZ REDE approval period is changed from the month before the last month of the current approval period to income from the last 30 days. Income from the last 30 days is also used for initial SNAP applications unless a change in income is expected.
Forms 4765 and 4764 are revised to request the customer send us their last 4 pay stubs if paid weekly, the last 2 pay stubs if paid every other week or twice a month, the last pay stub if paid monthly, and to provide information on any unearned income received in the last 30 days.
For SNAP, EZ REDE cases are not required to report the receipt of unemployment benefits unless total income would exceed the Gross Monthly Income Standard. Effective with the 01/2010 PAL, a U code will not select for a case even if it meets the selection criteria for code U if the case is in EZ REDE (Item 36 coded R). Staff must run an AWVS for each unit member at each REDE.
In order to allow the Air Conditioning/Heating Standard based on the receipt of LIHEAP, the unit must be receiving LIHEAP, or expect to receive energy assistance from LIHEAP.
Income averaging, changing weekly or bi-weekly income or expenses to a monthly amount, is now called converting to a monthly amount.
Starting 12/14/09, when determining the amount of mercury benefits prior to regular roll approval at initial application, AIS and ACM uses the converted (averaged) monthly income and deductions instead of actual amounts.
At initial application or REDE when a client's income will not be the same throughout the 6-month period (income varies), anticipate the actual amount of income the client will make during the entire 6-month period. Divide that amount by 6 and budget that amount for each month of the period.
At initial application or REDE when income is expected to end, do not use the income from the last 30 days to determine future income.
Starting 12/14/09, AIS, ACM, Phone System Interview, and the Web SNAP Calculator will be changed to reflect the LIHEAP utility standard change.
SNAP units in EZ REDE status are only required to report when their income exceeds their Gross Monthly Income Standard. The conversion notice that is sent to the unit tells them their Gross Monthly Income amount.
During conversion, the approval period for Category 94/96 cases with 8 or more months left in their approval periods are shortened by 6 months and the next REDE due will be a mail-in.
The approval period for Category 94/96 cases with 7 months left in their approval periods are shortened by 1 month and the next REDE due will be a mail-in.
The approval period for Category 94/96 cases with 6 months or less left in their approval periods stays the same and the next REDE due will be a face-to-face.
Most of the newly converted Category 94/96 cases are eligible to use the Phone System Interview option to complete their mail-in and face to face REDE.
The Phone System Interview Completed Call Report is available in Mobius in the 8450PS31 and 8450PS32 reports. The PS31 report displays Statewide and Region totals in the All folder and then by FCRC.