Fiscal Year 1997: DHR Documents by Issue Date

Issue Date: 6/27/1996
Control #: 97-07
Subject: Elimination of the Special Needs Allowances for AFDC Pregnant Women
Effective Date: 8/1/1996
Program(s) Affected: Aid to Families with Dependent Children to Pregnant Women
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9707.pdf

Under current policy a $30 special needs allowance and a $14 prenatal nutritional allowance is paid to AFDC-PW recipients. Teh special needs allowances were put in effect because the General Public Assistance to Pregnant Woment (GPA-PW) payment exceeded the AFDC grant amount for one person.

Issue Date: 6/27/1996
Control #: 97-08
Subject: Elimination of the Prenatal Nutritional Benefit for Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFCD)
Effective Date: 8/1/1996
Program(s) Affected: Aid to Families with Dependent Children
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9708a.pdf

This transmittal notifies local departments of the elimination of the $14 prenatal nutritional benefit.

Issue Date: 6/27/1996
Control #: 97-01
Subject: New Release of Information Form
Effective Date: 6/27/1996
Program(s) Affected:
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9701.pdf

Freestate Health Plan, a Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Maryland HUM, will soon begin using a new form (Authorization of Release For Current Medicaid Members) developed exclusively for local departments of social services. The information will be used by Freestate to provide services under the Medical Assistance program. DHR's Office of the Attorney General assisted in its development and has approved the final version.

Issue Date: 6/29/1996
Control #: 97-06 Revised
Subject: GPA-PW Payment Standard
Effective Date: 7/1/1996
Program(s) Affected: General Public Assistance-Pregnant Women
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9706rev.pdf

The GPA-PW program provides benefits to a pregnant woman during the first through the fifth month of her pregnancy. The payment standard is $209 monthly. There is no regulation requirement for GPA-PW minor to live with a specified person.

Issue Date: 7/8/1996
Control #: 97-09
Subject: Primary Prevention Initiative (PPI) Simplification
Effective Date: 7/8/1996
Program(s) Affected: AFDC
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9709a.pdf

The PPI program is changing. Certain PPI policies and procedures are being simplified to conform with changes being made to the Temporary Cash Assistance Program. Modifications to the program are intended to reduce the administrative burden of operating PPI in preparation for implementing the Family Investment Program.

Issue Date: 7/10/1996
Control #: 97-03
Subject: Availability of Updated AFDC and Food Stamp Manuals, and Other Resource Materials
Effective Date: 6/27/1996
Program(s) Affected: AFDC and Food Stamps
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9703.pdf

Updated AFDC and Food Stamp program manuals are now available upon request. In addition, resource material from MA PAT as well as material from the April 1996 Food Stamp Investment conference is also available.

Issue Date: 7/27/1996
Control #: 97-02
Subject: The Family Investment Program Overview - July 1996
Effective Date: 7/1/1996
Program(s) Affected: Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) and Food Stamps (FS)
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9702.pdf

As you are aware, Senate Bill 778, the Welfare Innovation Act of 1996, was passed by the Maryland Legislature and signed by Governor Glendening.

Issue Date: 7/31/1996
Control #: 97-04
Subject: Federal Drug and Alcohol Addiction Policy Changes Affecting Supplemental Security Income and Medical Assistance Benefits
Effective Date: 7/23/1996
Program(s) Affected: Transitional Emergency Medical and Housing Assistance and Medical Assistance
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9704.pdf

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) sent termination notices on June 28, 1996 to 2,238 Maryland citizens with a drug or alcohol related disability. The notices informed them that their Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medical Assistance benefits will terminate January 1, 1997.

Issue Date: 8/16/1996
Control #: 97-10
Subject: 1184 Newborn Procedures for Non-CARES Local Departments
Effective Date: 8/16/1996
Program(s) Affected: PA and Non/PA Medical Assistance
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9710a.pdf

All newborns certified for MA by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) in non-CARES jurisdictions are now placed in the MA coverage group of P03 (PWC), regardless of whether the newborn's mother is an AFDC recipient, or receiving NPA/MA. Due to a programming change in the MMIS-II system, DHMH will no longer assign category and scope codes to PWC cases. It is now the responsibility of workers in non-CARES jurisdictions to assign the appropriate category and scope code to newborn cases once eligibility determination is made. Medical Assistance category and scope codes are essential for insuring that newborns receive MA coverage that they are entitled to, and for the successful conversion of PWC cases to the CARES system.

Issue Date: 9/3/1996
Control #: 97-21
Subject: Family Investment Programm (FIP) Medical Assistance and Child Care Extensions
Effective Date: 10/1/1996
Program(s) Affected: Purchase of Child Care and Medical Assistance
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9721a.pdf

The Family Investment Progam (FIP) was passed by the Maryland General Assembly and is scheduled for full implementation by the end of 1996. DHR has received waivers for the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) and the Food Stamp (Food Stamp) programs to support to components of FIP.

Issue Date: 9/3/1996
Control #: 97-20
Subject: Failure to Comply with Federal, State or Local Assistance Program Requirements
Effective Date: 10/1/1996
Program(s) Affected: Food Stamp Program
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9720a.pdf

The Food Stamp Program regulations were amended to prohibit an increase in food stamp benefits when a household's benefit from another means-tested assistance program decreases because of a penalty imposed for intentionally failing to comply with a requirement fo the other program. The Food and Consumer Service (FCS) refers to this provision as the Riverside Rule.

Issue Date: 9/3/1996
Control #: 97-19
Subject: Deduction for Child Support Payments
Effective Date: 10/1/1996
Program(s) Affected: Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) and Food Stamps
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9719a.pdf

Current policy does not permit paid child support as a deduction from income to determine eligibility and the benefit amount for TCA. Only when income was deemed to the unit, such as from a stepparent, was child support an available deduction. In order to encourage payment of child support and to have consistency in the income calculation, a deduction from income will be permitted for paid child support. The policy applies to members in a TCA assistance unit and to all food stamp households. For members outside an assistance unit whose inocme is considered, such as stepparents or ineligible aliens, a deduction for alimony is permitted in addition to the child support.

Issue Date: 9/3/1996
Control #: 97-23
Subject: Family Investment Program Requirements
Effective Date: 10/1/1996
Program(s) Affected: Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) Food Stamps (FS) Medical Assistance (MA) Welfare Avoidance Grant (WAG) Emergency Assistance to Families with Children (EAFC)
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9723.pdf

As you are aware, Senate Bill 778, the Welfare Innovation Act of 1996, was passed by the Maryland Legislature and signed by Governor Glendening. This Maryland welfare reform initiative is called The Family Investment Program (FIP). The Family Investment Program will be implemented through a demonstration waiver approved by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or block grant.

Issue Date: 9/4/1996
Control #: 97-14
Subject: Family Investment Program (FIP) Adverse Action
Effective Date: 10/1/1996
Program(s) Affected: Temporary Cash Assistance
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9714 a.pdf

The Family Investment Program (FIP) was passed by the Maryland General Assembly and is scheduled for implementation effective October, 1996. DHR has received waivers for the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) and the Food Stamp (FS) programs to support the components of FIP.

Issue Date: 9/4/1996
Control #: 97-24
Subject: Application and Redetermination Process
Effective Date: 10/1/1996
Program(s) Affected: Welfare Avoidance (WAG) Emergency Assistance to Families with Children (EAFC) Temporary Cash Assisntance (TCA) Medical Assistance (MA)
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9724.pdf

Attached is information on the processing of WAG, EAFC, TCA Applications, TCA Redeterminations, and Verifications under the Family Investment Program. FIP is effective October 1,1996. Control cases continue to follow the current AFDC regulations found in COMAR 07.03.01 and 07.03.02. The WAG program is for treatment/experimental cases only, and the EAFC requirements are statewide with no Control cases.

Issue Date: 9/5/1996
Control #: 97-17
Subject: Stepparent Assistance Under FIP
Effective Date: 10/1/1996
Program(s) Affected: Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA)
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9717a.pdf

Under current AFDC regulations, there are 3 instances where a stepparent may be included in the assistance unit and receive a portion of the benefit.

Issue Date: 9/5/1996
Control #: 97-15
Subject: Family Investment Program (FIP) Procedures for Processing and Collecting Overpayments
Effective Date: 10/1/1996
Program(s) Affected: Temporary Cash Assistance
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9715a.pdf

An overpayment for Temporary Cash Assistance shall begin the first month the unreported change could have been made considering adverse action time. Whenever there is an overpayment and a customer does not verify actual income and the local department cannot get the required verification from the employer, information from secondary sources such as the Income Eligibility Verification System (IEVS), the Maryland Automated Benefits System (MABS), etc., may be used.

Issue Date: 9/5/1996
Control #: 97-25
Subject: Family Investment Program Requirements for Full-Family Sanction and Transitional Assistance
Effective Date: 10/1/1996
Program(s) Affected: Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA)
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9725.pdf

The Project Independence (PI) program provides for individual sanctions for the person who fails to comply with PI. The remaining family members continue to be eligible for AFDC benefits. No extension of benefits is paid to a sanctioned person beyond the effective date of the sanction. The Family Investment Program (FIP) was passed by the Maryland General Assembly and is scheduled for full implementation in October 1996. One of the provisions for implementation is a full-family sanction for non-compliance with work requirements with the possibility of transitional benefits paid to a third party.

Issue Date: 9/6/1996
Control #: 97-18
Subject: Rent Subsidy As Income
Effective Date: 10/1/1996
Program(s) Affected: Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC)
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9718a.pdf

In July, 1992, we began counting $45 of the rent subsidy received by customers who live in public housing, Section 8 housing, or FMHA Section 515 rental assistance as income. The change was made to reduce some of the disparity between customers who live in federally subsidized housing and customers who must pay market rate rent amounts. The $45 housing subsidy counted as unearned income is raised to $60. All rules regarding who is affected remain unchanged.

Issue Date: 9/20/1996
Control #: 97-28
Subject: Food Stamp Mass Change - October 1996 and Change in Homeless Shelter Estimate
Effective Date: 10/1/1996
Program(s) Affected: Food Stamps
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9728.pdf

Each October, the United States Department of Agriculture publishes a new Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) on which food stamp program allotments are based. Because of the uncertainty of federal welfare reform legislation, the Food and Consumer Service delayed issuing the information to states. The Food Stamp Program provisions of Public Law 104- 193 , the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996 was signed by the President on August 22, 1996. Effective October 1, 1996, the net and gross monthly income standards will increase. The maximum allotments will also increase slightly. The excess shelter deduction and standard deduction will not change. The homeless household shelter estimate no longer applies.

Issue Date: 9/20/1996
Control #: 97-27
Subject: Hearings and Appeals
Effective Date: 11/1/1996
Program(s) Affected: All Family Investment Programs
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9727.pdf

Requests for appeals made to the local department are forwarded to the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) within 5 working days of receipt. That office schedules a hearing date. The local department is responsible for submitting a summary of facts regarding the appeal to OAH and the customer, attempting to resolve the appeal before the scheduled hearing, and attending the hearing. The Office of Planning, Legislation, and Innovation (OPLI) has advised us of the impact Department of Human Resources vs. Thompson, a decision by the Court of Special Appeals, is having on the manner in which administrative law judges (Aws) decide 4 appeals. The case involved the acceptance of additional information at the appeal hearing and the use of that information to decide the "ultimate issue" The "ultimate issue" is the specific issue that was appealed . ALJs no longer simply determine whether or not the local department correctly applied statutes, regulations, and policy, but will examine the local department's decision and all information relevant to that decision to determine the correct decision. ALJs may consider additional evidence or information the customer presents at the hearing that has a bearing on the appeal. This includes evidence or information that may not have been available to the local department when it made its decision. If, the ALJ believes that additional evidence or information received may warrant a finding in favor of the customer, the ALJ will usually offer to remand the case to the local department to make a final determination regarding the issue.

Issue Date: 9/20/1996
Control #: 97-26
Subject: Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) FY'97 Operatins
Effective Date: 11/4/1996
Program(s) Affected: All Family Investment Programs
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9726.pdf

The Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) will begin taking applications on November 4, 1996 for the 1996-1997 heating season. This transmittal will address the major MEAP-related issues that will affect local departments of social services this year. Please take special note of Part E: "EAFC Interface with MEAP and USPP", Part F: MEAP Outreach through Cooperation Efforts of FIA and LDSSs, and the "Action Required" section at the end of this transmittal.

Issue Date: 10/1/1996
Control #: 97-38
Subject: Licensed Vehicles
Effective Date: 10/1/1996
Program(s) Affected: Food Stamps and Temporary Cash Assistance
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9738.pdf

As a result of Food Stamp provisions of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (H.R. 3734), the treatment of licensed vehicles was changed slightly. The food stamp waiver to exclude one vehicle per household, which was requested as part of the Family Investment Program, was not approved as originally requested. The vehicle exclusion will only apply to Temporary Cash Assistance households. This transmittal provides the new food stamp policy and clarification of how to handle vehicles in TCA/FS households.

Issue Date: 10/1/1996
Control #: 97-35
Subject: Household Composition
Effective Date: 10/1/1996
Program(s) Affected: Food Stamps
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9735.pdf

The food stamp provisions of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 signed by President Clinton on August 22, 1996, deletes a current rule that permitted minor children to be separate food stamp households in some situations. Action Transmittal IMA OPA #95-42 is obsolete.

Issue Date: 10/1/1996
Control #: 97-13
Subject: Assistance Unit Composition
Effective Date: 10/1/1996
Program(s) Affected: Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA)
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9713a.pdf

The Family Investment Program (FIP) provides assistance to families with children while preparing program participants for independence. Assistance, under this program, consists of services and cash assistance to eligible individuals, as well as work experience. FIP reflects a major shift in emphasis: from dependence on income maintainance programs to a Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) program leading to independence. Both parents are expected to contribute to the support of their children. Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) is available only as a last resort.

Issue Date: 10/1/1996
Control #: 97-12
Subject: Family Investment Program (FIP) Earned Income Eligibility
Effective Date: 10/1/1996
Program(s) Affected: Cash Assistance, Food Stamps
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9712a.pdf

The Family Investment Program (FIP) was passed by the Maryland General Assembly and is scheduled for full implementation by the end of 1996. DHR received waivers from the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) and the Food Stamp (FS) programs regulations to support the components of FIP.

Issue Date: 10/1/1996
Control #: 97-11
Subject: Family Investment Program (FIP) Asset Eligibility
Effective Date: 10/1/1996
Program(s) Affected: Cash Assistance, Food Stamps
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9711a.pdf

The current asset limit in AFDC is $1,000. The Food Stamp limit is $2,000. If the Food Stamp household has a member age 60 or older, the limit is $3,000.

Issue Date: 10/1/1996
Control #: 97-37
Subject: Energy Assistance
Effective Date: 10/1/1996
Program(s) Affected: Food Stamp Program
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9737.pdf

A food stamp provision of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, changes the treatment of the Energy Heating Need portion of the Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) grant.

Issue Date: 10/1/1996
Control #: 97-30
Subject: new Mandatory Field on AIMS
Effective Date: 9/30/1996
Program(s) Affected: Temporary Cash Assistance
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/.9730pdf

On September 14, 1996 a simulated mass modification will be done in AIMS for system changes resulting from the implementation of the Family Investment Program (FP). As a result of the mass modification, there will be a new mandatory field requirement on the AIMS.

Issue Date: 10/1/1996
Control #: 97-36
Subject: Proration of Benefits
Effective Date: 10/1/1996
Program(s) Affected: Food Stamp Program
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9736.pdf

The Mickey Leland Childhood Hunger Relief Act eliminated the proration of food stamp benefits at recertification. Federal welfare reform now requires proration after any break in certification. Action Transmittal OPA 95-05 is obsolete.

Issue Date: 10/1/1996
Control #: 97-29
Subject: Purchase of Child Care and Family Investment Forms Consolidation
Effective Date: 10/1/1996
Program(s) Affected: Temporary Cash Assistance Purchase of Care
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9729.pdf

The responsibility of determining eligibility for the Purchase of Care Program has been transferred to the Family Investment Administration. It became apparent that there was a need to merge the forms used by the FIA workers to enable them to accomplish the additional tasks. Attached are draft forms modifications designed by the POCEIA Forms Consolidation Workgroup.

Issue Date: 10/1/1996
Control #: 97-32
Subject: Student Earnings
Effective Date: 10/1/1996
Program(s) Affected: Food Stamp Program and Temporary Case Assistance
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9732.pdf

The Mickey Leland Childhood Hunger Relief Act increased the age for exclusion of student earned income. The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, reduced it.

Issue Date: 10/1/1996
Control #: 97-33
Subject: Expedited Food Stamp Benefits
Effective Date: 10/1/1996
Program(s) Affected: Food Stamp Program
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9733.pdf

One of the food stamp provisions of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, increases the expedited time frames and removes a category of households which are entitled to receive expedited service.

Issue Date: 10/9/1996
Control #: 97-40
Subject: Medical Assistance -$50 Child Support Disregard
Effective Date: 10/1/1996
Program(s) Affected: Medical Assistance
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9740.pdf

In determining Medical Assistance eligibility, the first $50 of monthly child support payments is desregarded in determining financial eligibility.

Issue Date: 10/11/1996
Control #: 97-34
Subject: Combined Food Stamp Allotments
Effective Date: 11/1/1996
Program(s) Affected: Food Stamp Program
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9734.pdf

Food stamp provisions of the federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996, allowed several state options. The issuance of combined allotments is now a state option. Action transmittals IMA OPA # 94-19, #95-13, and #95-46 are obsolete. CARES Alert #96-8 is also obsolete.

Issue Date: 10/15/1996
Control #: 97-39
Subject: Update of food Stamp Manual Section 403
Effective Date: 10/15/1996
Program(s) Affected: Food Stamps
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9739.pdf

Action Transmittal W O P A #96-37 was issued April 30, 1996. It advised of the USDA Food and Consumer Services (FCS) request to update the Client Rights and Responsibilities section of the Food Stamp Manual. The Action Transmittal IMA/ O P A #96-37 REVISED was issued July 25, 1996. It made IMA/O P A #96-37 obsolete. Due to printing errors, pages were omitted from IMA O P A #96-37 REVISED, rendering it useless. This FIA/OPA Action Transmittal replaces and obsoletes IMA O P A #96-37 REVISED.

Issue Date: 10/30/1996
Control #: 97-46
Subject: 1997 Benefit Issuance Schedules and Cut-Off Dates
Effective Date: 1/1/1997
Program(s) Affected: Temporary Cash Assistance and Food Stamps
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9746.pdf

The benefit issuance schedules for Temporary Cash Assistance and for Food Stamps during 1997 for the AIMS system and the CARES system are attached. Also attached is the schedule for the 1997 cut-off dates for AIMS and for CARES.

Issue Date: 11/1/1996
Control #: 97-45
Subject: Family Investment Program Action Transmittals
Effective Date: 10/1/1996
Program(s) Affected: Temporary Cash Assistance Food Stamps Medical Assistance Child Care Child Support
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9745.pdf

Recently, action transmittals were issued to explain FIP and the action(s) to be taken for the implementation, administration, and operation of FIP and all related programs. Some of these transmittals need to be updated due to errors, additions or clarification of the requirements.

Issue Date: 11/1/1996
Control #: 97-25 revised
Subject: Family Investment Program Requirements for Full-Family Sanction and Transitional Assistance
Effective Date: 10/1/1996
Program(s) Affected: Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA)
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9725rev.pdf

Issue Date: 11/1/1996
Control #: 97-44
Subject: New Policies in Public Assistance to Adults (PAA)
Effective Date: 11/1/1996
Program(s) Affected: PAA
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9744.pdf

The purpose of this Information Memo is to inform staff of changes in PAA policy to achieve compliance with TCA, MA and TEMHA policy. Also, the current PAA payment levels are presented below for your information.

Issue Date: 11/13/1996
Control #: 97-47
Subject: Homeless Households
Effective Date: 10/1/1996
Program(s) Affected: Food Stamp Program
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9747.pdf

A provision of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 changes slightly the definition of who is homeless.

Issue Date: 11/15/1996
Control #: 97-52
Subject: Primary Prevention Initiative (PPI)
Effective Date: 1/1/1997
Program(s) Affected: Temporary Cash Assistance
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9752.pdf

Under federal welfare legislation, Maryland has the option to continue PPI as part of the Family Investment Program (FIP), rather than under a waiver. Accordingly, the Primary Prevention Initiative demonstration waiver will end on January 1,1997, although the evaluation activities will continue until June 1997. The first step will be to convert the control case designator in the AIMS and CARES to an experimental designator on November 1,1996. The next step will be incorporating the PPI requirements at the next redetermination. This Action Transmittal will explain that process and introduce two new policies pertaining to all customers.

Issue Date: 11/19/1996
Control #: 97-08
Subject: Emergency Issuances During Conversion and Transfer of Cases to Baltimore County
Effective Date: 11/19/1996
Program(s) Affected:
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9708.pdf

Conversion for Baltimore County begins at the close of business on Wednesday, November 17, 1996. During conversion, the CARES system will not be available on Friday, November 29. In Baltimore County only, AIMS and AMF transactions will not be able to be completed on November 27 and 29, therefore, the emergency procedure is effective in Baltimore County on November 27. Do not transfer any cases to Baltimore County between November 25 and November 29.

Issue Date: 11/20/1996
Control #: 97-04cb
Subject: Adverse Action Procedures
Effective Date: 11/20/1996
Program(s) Affected: Food Stamps
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9704cb.pdf

Action Transmittal 97-14 (Released September 4, 1996) notified Local Departments of the new Adverse Action Policy changes effective October 1, 1996. System changes to CARES for implementation of these policy changes were requested and completed for Temporary Cash Assistance cases (non-control) but have not been completed for Food Stamp cases. Food Stamp cases are still using 10 calendar days for adverse action as opposed to the 5 working days outlined in the new policy.

Issue Date: 11/20/1996
Control #: 97-51
Subject: Food Stamp Waivers
Effective Date: 10/1/1996
Program(s) Affected: Food Stamp Program
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9751.pdf

As part of the Family Investment Program (FIP) food stamp waivers were requested from the Food and Consumer Service. The purpose of the waivers was to simplify policy and to make it consistent with Temporary Cash Assistance. The food stamp waivers are approved statewide for both public assistance and non-public assistance food stamp cases through June 30, 1997. No control cases will be selected.

Issue Date: 11/22/1996
Control #: 97-50
Subject: Work Requirements
Effective Date: 11/1/1996
Program(s) Affected: Food Stamp Program
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9750.pdf

A food stamp provision of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 increases the penalties for individuals who fail to comply with work requirements. Additionally, one of the food stamp waivers reduces the age at which a child exempts a parent of caretaker from food stamp work rules.

Issue Date: 11/22/1996
Control #: 97-49
Subject: Certification Periods
Effective Date: 11/1/1996
Program(s) Affected: Food Stamp Program
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9749.pdf

A provision of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, permits states more flexibility in assigning certification periods.

Issue Date: 11/22/1996
Control #: 97-48
Subject: Providing Information to Law Enforcement Officers
Effective Date: 12/1/1996
Program(s) Affected: Temporary Cash Assistance and the Food Stamp Program
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9748.pdf

Provisions of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliaiton Act of 1996 require that certain information be made available to law enforcement officers.

Issue Date: 11/26/1996
Control #: 97-53
Subject: Age Requirement
Effective Date: 12/9/1996
Program(s) Affected: Temporary Cash Assistance
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9753.pdf

Under AFDC regulations a child met the technical factor of age if under 18. A child who was a full time student in sedcondary school or an equivalent program was eligible if the child would graduate before the 19th birthday. Under the waiver, a child met eligibility if under the age of 18 or if a full time student who would graduate within the calendar year that he turns 19.

Issue Date: 11/26/1996
Control #: 97-55
Subject: New State Residents (Inter-State Migration)
Effective Date: 12/9/1996
Program(s) Affected: Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA)
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9755.pdf

There is is no residency requirement in Maryland. Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) benefits are available to eligible customers who move from another state and take up residence in Maryland. This transmittal outlines the procedure for handling elgibility and payment for applicants who move to Maryland.

Issue Date: 11/26/1996
Control #: 97-54
Subject: TCA Certification End Dates
Effective Date: 12/1/1996
Program(s) Affected: Cash Assistance
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9754.pdf

In AIMS jurisdictions, TCA cases were entered on the system without a certification end date. End dates were used in cash cases such as GPA-PW and TEMHA.

Issue Date: 11/29/1996
Control #: 97-57
Subject: Family Investment Program (FIP) Requirements for Reporting Absences of Children
Effective Date: 12/9/1996
Program(s) Affected: Temporary Cash Assistance
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9757.pdf

The Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program had a variable time period which determined limited absence. However, any absence longer than one year for a child and any absence longer than 3 months for a caretaker relative needed to be reviewed by a case manager. Eligibility for AFDC continued for the child/caretaker relative during periods of limited absence from home. The same allowable limited absence still exist.

Issue Date: 11/29/1996
Control #: 97-61
Subject: Temporary Cash Assistance Time Limits
Effective Date: 12/1/1996
Program(s) Affected: Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA)
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9761.pdf

One of the major goals of the Family Investment Program (FIP) is to move customers from dependency to independence in the quickest manner possible. State legislation, Senate Bill 778, provides for time limits to receive TCA if Federal legislation imposes time limits. The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 did establish time limits. This action transmittal delineates the time limits that will be used to ensure the customer's transition from TCA to independence, primarily through employment.

Issue Date: 11/29/1996
Control #: 97-56
Subject: New Penalties & Disqualifications
Effective Date: 12/9/1996
Program(s) Affected: Temporary Cash Assistance and Food Stamps
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9756.pdf

The provisions of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996, increased the types of violations which would result in disqualifications from the Food Stamp Program and the length of penalties. PRWORA also has penalties which are new to Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) and Food Stamps (FS).

Issue Date: 11/29/1996
Control #: 97-60
Subject: Work Requirements for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents
Effective Date: 11/1/1996
Program(s) Affected: Food Stamp Program
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9760.pdf

A food stamp provision of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, impses a strict work requirement on any able-bodied adult without dependents (ABAWD).

Issue Date: 12/2/1996
Control #: 97-62
Subject: Minor Custodial Parent and Educational Requirement
Effective Date: 12/9/1996
Program(s) Affected: Temporary Cash Assistance
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9762.pdf

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 included two new requirements for minor parents. Maryland had already implemented the requirement that minor parents live with a parent or other adult representative. This action transmittal outlines the policy regarding minor custodial parents and school attendance.

Issue Date: 12/2/1996
Control #: 97-59
Subject: Social Security (RSDI) and SSI Cost-of-Living Increases, and Related Increases
Effective Date: 1/1/1997
Program(s) Affected: All Categories or Public Assistance, Food Stamps, Non Public Assistance, Medical Assistance
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9759.pdf

Historically, Social Security Retirement, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (RSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits have increased each year. This is usually true for Railroad Retirement and Veterans Benefits also. Generally, to take these changes into account for grant and food stamps purposes, the affected cases are processed according to mass change procedures as described herein. For medical purposes, the impact of these benefit increases is also described in this Action Transmittal.

Issue Date: 12/2/1996
Control #: 97-58
Subject: Correction of FIA/OPA #97-45
Effective Date: 10/1/1996
Program(s) Affected: Temporary Cash Assistance; Food Stamps; Medical Assistance; Child Care; Child Support
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9758.pdf

Action Transmittal FIA/OPA 97-45 was issued to provide corrected pages for previously issued FIP transmittals. During the process of approving and printing the transmittal, the replacement pages were taken out of order. This Action Transmittal provides corrected pages.

Issue Date: 12/2/1996
Control #: 97-65
Subject: Quality Control 16 Procedures
Effective Date: 12/2/1996
Program(s) Affected: All Programs Subject to Quality Control Review
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9765.pdf

Quality Control (QC) and the Division of Management Support (DMS) monitor all QC 16 forms that indicate an error discovered during the review process. Local departments are to respond to all QC 16s error forms the date on the transmittal letter and specify the corrective and recoupment/recovery plan as appropriate.

Issue Date: 12/4/1996
Control #: 97-63
Subject: Food Stamp Mass Change - Excess Shelter Deduction
Effective Date: 1/1/1997
Program(s) Affected: Food Stamp Program
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9763.pdf

A provision of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 increases the excess shelter cap effective January 1, 1997.

Issue Date: 12/13/1996
Control #: 97-05cb
Subject: Food Stamp Letters
Effective Date: 12/13/1996
Program(s) Affected: Food Stamps
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9705cb.pdf

The Clients' Automated Resource and Eligibility System (CARES) does not automatically send Food Stamp Repayment letters to customers that have been overpaid in Food Stamp benefits. Maryland has previously been cited by the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Consumer Service for failing to actively pursue repayment of these benefits. To more effectively track and collect these overpaid benefits, Food Stamp demand letters have been loaded into (CARES).

Issue Date: 12/16/1996
Control #: 97-06
Subject: CIS Availability for 1997
Effective Date: 12/16/1996
Program(s) Affected: All Programs
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9706.pdf

Each year the Division of Program and Systems Support outlines the anticipated days that CIS will not be available.

Issue Date: 12/24/1996
Control #: 97-67
Subject: Work Requirements Under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996 (Federal Welfare Reform)
Effective Date: 12/24/1996
Program(s) Affected: Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA)
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9767.pdf

Under the federal welfare reform legislation, States must meet three different, yet related sets of "work" requirements.

Issue Date: 12/24/1996
Control #: 97-66
Subject: Data Tracking Requirements for Work Programs
Effective Date: 12/24/1996
Program(s) Affected: Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) Work Programs and Food Stamp Employment and Training (FSET) Programs
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9766.pdf

In connection with the work requirements imposed by federal legislation, Maryland has developed minimum standards for each local office's collection and maintenance of data on the work activities in which their Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) customers and Food Stamp Employment and Training (FSET) program work registrants participate. Most of the details about the data collection systems used to track work activities can be found in the PI MIS Manual published in February 1996 and in the FSET MIS Technical Assistance Guide, published in April 1996. The standards listed below are the general guidelines on data collection and data entry that have been previously articulated by staff of the Division of Work Opportunities in papers, letters, meetings and phone conversations.

Issue Date: 12/31/1996
Control #: 97-07cb
Subject: Caseload Reassignment
Effective Date: 12/31/1996
Program(s) Affected: All Programs
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9707.pdf

Since the implementation of CARES, there have been frequent requests for caseload and district office reassignments. Completing a mass district office reassignment requires that all of the cases in a district office be reviewed, requiring a substantial amount of processing time. Therefore, the reassignment must be run on a weekend. The system will be unavailable during this period of time. Additionally, each time a reassignment is completed, the system will generate a notice informing the customer of a change in their case manager. This substantially increases the volume of mail, which must be generated by the DHR mailroom.

Issue Date: 1/2/1997
Control #: 97-70
Subject: Increase in the Minimim Wage
Effective Date: 1/2/1997
Program(s) Affected: Food Stamp Program
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9770.pdf

Public Law 104-188 provided an increase in the minimum wage from $4.25 to $4.75 for hours worked on or after October 1, 1996. Food Stamp Program change reporting rules require households to report changes in the amount of gross monthly income of more than $25 within 10 days of the date the change becomes known. The Food and Consumer Service has provided states with a waiver to change the date that the change in income has to be reported.

Issue Date: 1/13/1997
Control #: 97-31
Subject: Child Support and Fraud Sanctions
Effective Date: 10/1/1996
Program(s) Affected: Temporary Cash Assistance, Food Stamps, Medical Assistance
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9731.pdf

The AFDC program sanctioned the caretaker relative for non-compliance with child support requirements. The children in the unit remained eligible for benefits. The caretaker relative was also sanctioned for an International Program Violation (IPV) decision made by a court of law. The rest of the unit remained eligible for benefits.

Issue Date: 1/15/1997
Control #: 97-74
Subject: Option to Terminate Temporary Cash Assistance for Child Care and Medical Assistance
Effective Date: 1/15/1997
Program(s) Affected: Temporary Cash Assistance, Medical Assistance and Purchase of Care
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9774.pdf

One goal of the Family Investment Program (FIP) is to help families independent of Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA). Another goal is to give families the opportunity to use alternatives to TCA whenever possible because every month that a benefit is received counts toward the time limits.

Issue Date: 1/15/1997
Control #: 97-73
Subject: Interagency Agreements for Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) Customers Attending JTPA Training
Effective Date: 1/15/1997
Program(s) Affected: Temporary Cash Assistance
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9773.pdf

During the 1996 legislative session, the State Legislature recognized that placing Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) customers into unsubsidized jobs will require a coordinated effort involving agencies outside the Department of Human Resources (DHR). Specifically, the Legislature recognized the value of Service Delivery Area (SDA) agency efforts in preparing Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) customers for employment. In one of the notes attached to budget legislation, the State Legislature asked the Governor's Work Force Investment Board (GWIB), in cooperation with the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation and the Department of Human Resources, to study the use of federal Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) incentive funds to encourage greater emphasis by SDAs on moving TCA customers to work. Under the incentive policy which was developed, SDAs will be rewarded (with approximately $125,000 of reserved JTPA funds) for exceeding their required placement level for TCA customers. Note also that the federal JTPA legislation continues to require SDAs to serve a sizeable number of welfare recipients in their Title IIA (Disadvantaged Adults) program each year as a maintenance of effort provision.

Issue Date: 1/15/1997
Control #: 97-75
Subject: Changes in Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Policy
Effective Date: 1/15/1997
Program(s) Affected: Temporary Cash Assistance, Food Stamps and Medical Assistance
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9775.pdf

Applicants for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments must usually wait several months before they are approved to receive payment. The first payment has been a lump-sum amount that included retroactive payments back to the date of application for the SSI benefits. The lump-sum amount for the retroactive payment was counted as a nonrecurring lump-sum payment and excluded as income for food stamps because it was always given in one payment. When the individual had signed the Interim Assistance Reimbursement (IAR) and received DALP/TEMHA prior to being awarded SSI, the first check was sent tot he local department. The agency would then reimburse itself from the retroactive SSI check in to the amount that they had expanded in public assistance benefits. The remaining portion of the customer's SSI check in to the amount that they had expended in public assistance benefits. The remaining portion of the customer's SSI was then forwarded to the customer within 10 days.

Issue Date: 1/16/1997
Control #: 97-69
Subject: Overissuances
Effective Date: 1/16/1997
Program(s) Affected: Food Stamp Program and Temporary Cash Assistance
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9769.pdf

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 changed the rules for collecting food stamp claims against households and the calculation of an overissuance due to failure to report earned income.

Issue Date: 1/17/1997
Control #: 97-71
Subject: Medical Assistance Extensions, Work Requirement Exemptions, and Stepparent Clarifications
Effective Date: 2/1/1997
Program(s) Affected: Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA ) and Food Stamps (FS)
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9771.pdf

Medical Assistance Extensions were provided for up to twelve months when earned income was overscalse or the primary wage earner returned to work. If an absent parent returned to the home and was employed, the case was closed due to no deprivation and the medical assistance extension was not given. A caretaker was exempt from the work requirements indefinitely when providing care for a child under age three. Questions have been raised in these areas concerning the new policies.

Issue Date: 1/17/1997
Control #: 97-76
Subject: Payment Standards from Other States
Effective Date: 1/17/1997
Program(s) Affected: Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA)
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9776.pdf

Issue Date: 1/21/1997
Control #: 97-78
Subject: Child Specific Benefit
Effective Date: 2/1/1997
Program(s) Affected: Temporary Cash Assistance, Food Stamps, Child Support Enforcement
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9778.pdf

The Office of Policy Administration has revised the original procedure for issuing benefits under the Child Specific Benefit (CSB) provision. The policy has been simplified and the process for determining the CSB benefit streamlined. The primary purpose of the CSB initiative is to provide a benefit which is paid separtely from other TCA benefits for a household when a child is born 10 months or more after the head of household was informed of the CSB provision.

Issue Date: 1/22/1997
Control #: 97-09
Subject: Emergency Issuances and Case Transfers During Prince and Finance
Effective Date: 1/24/1997
Program(s) Affected:
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9709.pdf

Conversion for Prince George's County will begin at the close of business on Thursday, January 30, 1997. During conversion, the CIS/CARES system will not be available on Friday, January 31 and Monday, February 3, 1997.

Issue Date: 1/22/1997
Control #: 97-10
Subject: New Start-Up Date for The Maryland Medicaid Managed Care Program
Effective Date: 2/1/1997
Program(s) Affected: Medical Assistance
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9710.pdf

On Thursday, January 9, 1997, Martin Wasserman, M.D., J.D., Secretary of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH), announced that the Maryland Medicaid Managed Care Program, HealthChoice, will be implemented on June 2, 1997, instead of February 1, 1997, as originally planned. At that time, the Department will begin phased-in implementation for 300,000 members. Beginning in June 1997, one fifth of the waiver-eligible recipients will be selected on a random basis and enrolled each month. All 300,000 members should be enrolled by November 1997.

Issue Date: 1/23/1997
Control #: 97-77
Subject: Domestic Violence Screening
Effective Date: 1/23/1997
Program(s) Affected: Temporary Cash Assistance
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9777.pdf

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA) allows the option to screen applicants and recipients for the occurrence of domestic violence. The option also allows the State to waive certain requirements where compliance with such requirements would make it more difficult for individuals receiving assistance to escape such violence. Recognizing the fact that domestic violence may impact on the ability of the customer to successfully become independent, Maryland selected this option.

Issue Date: 1/24/1997
Control #: 97-11
Subject: Minimum and Maximum Spousal Resource Amount and Maximum Spousal Maintenance and Shelter Allowance
Effective Date: 1/24/1997
Program(s) Affected: Medical Assistance
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9711.pdf

The spousal impoverishment assest minimum and maximum were increased effective January 1, 1997. The minimum assest level is $15,804 and the maximum asses level is $79,020. The long term care maximum allowance has increased to $1,976.

Issue Date: 2/1/1997
Control #: 97-72
Subject: TEMHA Policy Update
Effective Date: 2/1/1997
Program(s) Affected: Food Stamp and Medical Assistance
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9772.pdf

Transitional Emergency, Medical, and Housing Assistance (TEMHA) was implemented effective July 1, 1995, and updated to TEMHA II in January 1996. Subsequent to TEMHA II, some additional policies have been added for clarification.

Issue Date: 2/1/1997
Control #: 97-12
Subject: TEMHA Policy Update
Effective Date: 2/1/1997
Program(s) Affected: Food Stamp and Medical Assistance
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9712.pdf

Transitional Emergency, Medical and Housing Assistance (TEMHA) was implemented effective July 1, 1995, and updated to TEMHA II in January 1996. Subsequent to TEMHA II, some additional policies have been added for clarification.

Issue Date: 2/11/1997
Control #: 97-08
Subject: Automatic Scheduling of Redeterminations
Effective Date: 2/11/1997
Program(s) Affected: All Family Investment Programs
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9708cb.pdf

On the first calendar day of the month, CARES automatically identifies all cases that will expire two months after the current month. An example: On January 1, 1997, CARES identified all cases due to expire by 3/31/97.

Issue Date: 2/11/1997
Control #: 97-09
Subject: Transitional Assistance
Effective Date: 2/11/1997
Program(s) Affected: TCA
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9709cb.pdf

In October 1996, Transitional Assistance was implemented as a way to assist customers who were sanctioned to transition off TCA. In September a new valid value for Transitional Assistance Authorized Representatives was added to the AREP screen.

Issue Date: 2/11/1997
Control #: 97-10
Subject: Frequency Factors for Unearned Income and Child Care
Effective Date: 2/11/1997
Program(s) Affected: TCA and Food Stamps
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9710cb.pdf

In October 1997 the frequency factors for calculating income and deductions changed. FIP policy requires Earned Income and Child Care Deductions to be calculated using a 2 and 4 week month instead of the 4.3 and 2.15 frequencies. This factor is applied equitably across all other income frequencies including monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, semi annually and annually. Unearned income also uses a 4 and 2 week month frequency calculation however, unearned income received less frequently than twice a month is counted in full. The CARES system has been reprogrammed to accurately determine the correct amount of earned income but not child care or unearned income.

Issue Date: 2/14/1997
Control #: 97-66 Revised
Subject: Data Tracking Requirements for Work Programs
Effective Date: 2/14/1997
Program(s) Affected: Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) Work Programs and Food Stamp Employment and Training (FSET) Programs
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9766rev.pdf

This transmittal replaces #97-66 issued December 24, 1996, which was printed without pages 4 and 6 of the Activitiy Codes.

Issue Date: 2/18/1997
Control #: 97-13
Subject: Naturalization Outreach To Non-Citizens
Effective Date: 2/1/1997
Program(s) Affected: All Programs
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9713.pdf

The Food and Consumer Service recently sent notice that President Clinton has directed them to take steps to promote naturalization outreach to noncitizens and, to the extent authorized by law, provide naturalization information to recipients. English and Spanish versions of an Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) Fact Sheet about how to become a United States citizen were sent for distribution.

Issue Date: 2/21/1997
Control #: 97-79
Subject: Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), Food Stamps
Effective Date: 3/1/1997
Program(s) Affected: Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) and Food Stamps
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9779.pdf

This Action Transmittal confirms the March 1997 implementation of a 1.1 percent payment increase for Temporary Cash Assistance applicants and recipients.

Issue Date: 2/23/1997
Control #: 97-11
Subject: MA Coverage Groups P03, P04, P05
Effective Date: 2/23/1997
Program(s) Affected: Medical Assistance
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9711cb.pdf

It has been brought to our attention that there is some confusion with the usage of MA Coverage Groups P03, P04 and P05. Listed below are the MA Coverage groups and the eligibility requirements.

Issue Date: 2/24/1997
Control #: 97-12
Subject: Block Grant Reporting and Motor Voter Fields
Effective Date: 2/24/1997
Program(s) Affected: Food Stamps and Temporary Cash Assistance
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9712cb.pdf

On February 24, 1997 new fields were added to the STAT, DEM2 and ALAS screens on CARES in order to meet requirements of Federal Block Grants and Motor Voter regulations. These fields serve as data collection fields from which mandatory reports will be produced.

Issue Date: 3/1/1997
Control #: 97-80
Subject: Failure to Comply with Federal, State or Local Assistance Program Requirements
Effective Date: 3/1/1997
Program(s) Affected: Food Stamp Program
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9780.pdf

This transmittal replaces Action Transmittal FIA/OPA 97-20 which was issued September 3, 1996, and the corrected pages included in FIA/OPA 97-45 issued November 1, 1996. The transmittals informed local departments of an amendment to food stamp regulations to prohibit an increase in food stamp benefits when a household's benefit from another means-tested assistance program decreased because of a penalty imposed for intentionally failing to comply with a requirement of the other program. This was referred to as the Riverside Rule. As a result of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA), the policy changed slightly.

Issue Date: 3/7/1997
Control #: 97-14
Subject: 1997 Federal Poverty Levels
Effective Date: 3/1/997
Program(s) Affected: Temporary Cash Assistance, Medical Assistance
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9714.pdf

The Federal Poverty Income Guidelines were increased effective March 1997. The change was completed in CARES on March 7, 1997. The seasonal disregard that was allowed for the months of January thru April will be removed from CARES effective April 30, 1997 via mass modification on April 12, 1997. The seasonal disregard is the amount of the Social Security Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) for the current year that is normally provided to Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) recipients through the month following the month in which the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines are increased.

Issue Date: 3/24/1997
Control #: 97-15
Subject: Emergency Issuances and Case Transfers During Anne Arundel County's Conversion to CIS
Effective Date: 2/24/1997
Program(s) Affected:
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9715.pdf

Conversion for Anne Arundel County will begin at the close of business on Friday, March 29, 1997. During conversion, the CIS/CARES system will not be available on Monday, March 31, 1997.

Issue Date: 3/27/1997
Control #: 97-81
Subject: Waivers to the Work Requirements for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents
Effective Date: 3/27/1997
Program(s) Affected: Food Stamp Program
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9781.pdf

Action Transmittal FIA/OPA 97-60, issued November 29, 1996, informed local departments of the new work requirement for able-bodied adults without dependent children (ABAWDS). A waiver request to exempt jurisdictions from the work requirement was submitted to the Food and Consumer Service (FCS) December 31, 1996. The waiver requested exemptions from the requirement in three parts.

Issue Date: 4/1/1997
Control #: 97-82
Subject: Standard Utility Allowance - Switching
Effective Date: 4/1/1997
Program(s) Affected: Food Stamp Program
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9782.pdf

A provision of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996, requires that in states without a mandatory standard utility allowance, households are allowed to switch between actual expenses and the standard utility allowance (SUA) only at recertification.

Issue Date: 4/21/1997
Control #: 97-14
Subject: Multiple Vendors
Effective Date: 4/21/1997
Program(s) Affected: Family Investment Program (FIP), Welfare Avoidance Grant (WAG)
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9714cb.pdf

Under WAG policy, money can be paid to more than one vendor. CARES will not issue payment to more than one vendor under the same AU number

Issue Date: 4/21/1997
Control #: 97-22 Revised
Subject: Child Care Option in Lieu of Temporary Cash Assistance
Effective Date: 4/21/1997
Program(s) Affected: Purchase of Care
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9722Rev.pdf

This Action Transmittal revises POC information. The "in lieu of" process for the Medical Assistance Extension has not changed and is identical to the information in Action Transmittal 97-22 whicn was effective October 1, 1996.

Issue Date: 4/21/1997
Control #: 97-15
Subject: SPA (Scratch Pad Area)
Effective Date: 4/21/1997
Program(s) Affected: ALL
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9715cb.pdf

CARES was designed to put a case on temporary hold by using the PF5 key (SPA). A case may also be put on SPA when an ABEND (abnormal end) occurs during a system failure, or when date commit fails in an overnight batch run.

Issue Date: 4/21/1997
Control #: 97-83
Subject: National Voter Registration Act Activities
Effective Date: 4/21/1997
Program(s) Affected: All Programs
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9783.pdf

This Action Transmittal supplements and enhances the provisions of FIA-OQA Action Transmittal 96-22, dated December 18, 1996. This transmittal restated the NVRA voter registration requirements and explained the process local department of social services are to follow when reporting NVRA activities. The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA) became effective on January 1, 1995. The intent of NVRA is to increase the number of citizens registered to vote by greatly expanding the opportunity for persons to register to vote through newly designated voter registration agencies. The Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) is the primary public agency offering voter registration, thus the use of the term "Motor Voter Act". The law designates state public assistance offices as voter registration agencies, consequently FIA is responsible to implement NVRA in accordance with the stated guidelines.

Issue Date: 4/21/1997
Control #: 97-74 Revised
Subject: Option to Terminate Temporary Cash Assistance for Child Care
Effective Date: 4/21/1997
Program(s) Affected: Purchase of Care
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9774Rev.pdf

This Action Transmittal revises POC information. The process for opting to terminate Temporary Cash Assistance for medical assistance has not changed and is identical to the information in Action Transmittal 97-74 which was effective January 15, 1997.

Issue Date: 4/24/1997
Control #: 97-13
Subject: Transfer/Disposal Penalty Period
Effective Date: 4/24/1997
Program(s) Affected: Long Term Care (LTC)
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9713cb.pdf

LTC policy requires that all transfers/disposals on or before August 10, 1993 are subject to a 30-month maximum penalty period. There is no limit to the length of a penalty for disposals made after August 10, 1993. CARES currently calculates a 30-month period of all transfers/disposals regardless of the transfer/disposal date.

Issue Date: 5/2/1997
Control #: 97-84
Subject: Adoption Subsidy Payments
Effective Date: 5/2/1997
Program(s) Affected: Temporary Cash Assistance
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9784.pdf

Adoption subsidy payments are made on behalf of adopted children who have special needs. There have been occasions where the adoptive parent needed to file for assistance for themselves and remaining family members. The regulation for Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) does not specifically mention adoption subsidy payments.

Issue Date: 5/7/1997
Control #: 97-16
Subject: Child Specific Benefit
Effective Date: 5/7/1997
Program(s) Affected: Temporary Cash Assistance
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9716cb.pdf

Action Transmittal 97-78 listed the vendor type as "033" incorrectly.

Issue Date: 5/15/1997
Control #: 97-17
Subject: CARES Alert System Reminder
Effective Date: 5/15/1997
Program(s) Affected: ALL Programs
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9717cb.pdf

It has been noted that CARES alerts are being transferred to Child Support logon IDs or being generated by someone in CARES to a Child Support logon ID. Also, instances of the 745 worker-generated alert being used for social conversation have been noted. The intention of this bulletin is to reiterate the purpose and use of the CARES Alert System.

Issue Date: 5/20/1997
Control #: 97-17
Subject: Enrollment of Customers in Healthchoice
Effective Date: 5/20/1997
Program(s) Affected: Medical Assistance (MA) Programs
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9717.pdf

In April of 1996, the Maryland legislature passed Senate Bill 750. This bill directed the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) to employ managed care principles to promote patient-focused, accessible services to Medicaid customers and to create a "medical home" for Medicaid recipients through which all medical care will be delivered.

Issue Date: 5/22/1997
Control #: 97-41
Subject: Immigrants
Effective Date: 5/13/1997
Program(s) Affected: Food Stamp Program
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9741.pdf

Provisions of the federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA), change the eligibility of immigrants for the Food Stamp Program.

Issue Date: 5/28/1997
Control #: 97-49 Revised
Subject: Certification Periods
Effective Date: 11/1/1996
Program(s) Affected: Food Stamp Program
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9749Rev.pdf

A provision of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, permits states more flexibility in assigning certification periods. In order to accommodate year 2000 processing limitation revised CARES procedures were developed and are outlined in this Action Transmittal.

Issue Date: 5/30/1997
Control #: 97-19
Subject: Naturalization Outreach To Noncitizens
Effective Date: 6/10/1997
Program(s) Affected: Food Stamp Program
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9719.pdf

President Clinton directed federal agencies to take steps to promote naturalization outreach to noncitizens. The Food and Consumer Service (FCS) Mid-Atlantic Regional Office recently sent out a fact sheet about a final Immigration and Naturalization rule which was published March 19, 1997. The new rule provides procedures that facilitate the naturalization process for individuals with disablities which prevent them from completing the English and civics requirements. The FCS requested that the Fact Sheet be available to food stamp recipients in local departments.

Issue Date: 5/31/1997
Control #: 97-87
Subject: General Public Assistance-Pregnant Women Program Elimination
Effective Date: 7/1/1997
Program(s) Affected: Temporary Cash Assistance, Food Stamps
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9787.pdf

General Public Assistance for Pregnant Women (GPA-PW) pays benefits to needy pregnant women who are ineligible for any other State or federal category of direct cash assistance payments. Pregnant women who have no other children can receive $125 a month GPA-PW from the time pregnancy is medically verified through the fifth month of pregnancy.

Issue Date: 5/31/1997
Control #: 97-90
Subject: Earned Income Disregard
Effective Date: 7/1/1997
Program(s) Affected: Temporary Cash Assistance
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9790.pdf

Currently 20% of an employed individual's regular earnings are disregarded and 50% of their earnings are disregarded if self employed. The 50% allowance includes the cost to produce income.

Issue Date: 6/9/1997
Control #: 97-89
Subject: Child Specific Benefit (CSB)
Effective Date: 7/1/1997
Program(s) Affected: Temporary Cash Assistance, Food Stamps, Child Support Enforcement
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9789.pdf

Senate Bill 499, the Welfare Innovation Act of 1997, revised the child support retention procedure for CSB children associated with TCA cases. Current procedures in FIA Action Transmittal 97-78 require the deduction of child support payments made specifically for the CSB child from the CSB benefit to determine theh proper benefit to be paid. The agency did not retain the child support payment but instead passed it through to the TCA customer on behalf of the CSB child. Additionally, the worker counted teh CSB child support payment in full when calculating Food Stamp benefits for the household.

Issue Date: 6/9/1997
Control #: 97-88
Subject: Mandatory Rent Vendor Program
Effective Date: 7/1/1997
Program(s) Affected: Cash Assistance
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9788.pdf

In 1995, the Maryland General Assembly approved a law that required all public housing residents who received Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) and had a rent arrearage of 30 days or more to participate in the Mandatory Rent Vendor Payment Program at the request of the Housing Authority. Only recipients whose sole income was AFDC could participate in the program. Under the original legislation, the program was to be in effect for two years. Action Transmittal 95-61 dated July 10, 1995 delineated policy and procedures regarding this Mandatory Rent Vendor Payment program.

Issue Date: 6/10/1997
Control #: 97-85
Subject: Pregnant Women and Children's (PWC) and Maryland Kids Count (MKC) Programs Application-DHMH 1158D
Effective Date: 6/10/1997
Program(s) Affected: PWC/Maryland Kids Count
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9785.pdf

Presently, the local departments of social services, local health departments, initial processing sites and presumptive eligibility sites are using the DHR/FIA/CARES 9704, DHMH 1158D or DHR/FIA/CARES 9710 paper applications for PWC/Maryland Kids Count determinations if the case is not processed directly in CARES. In addition to the application, the Fraud statement (DHR/FIA 401A), Insurance Reporting Form (DHMH 2583), Assignment of Support Rights (DHR/FIA 903), Citizenship/Alienage Declaration (DHR/FIA 379) and Recoveries form (DHMH 1169) may need to be completed based on the individual circumstance. The implementation of the Maryland Medicaid 1115 Waiver, which was approved by the federal government and the Legislature in November 1996, requires a new simplified application be developed.

Issue Date: 6/10/1997
Control #: 97-86
Subject: Purchase of Child Care Eligibility and Open Service Cases
Effective Date: 5/30/1997
Program(s) Affected: Purchase of Child Care; Child Protective Services, Intensive Family Services; Families Now Levels I-III, Kinship Care
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9786.pdf

Before June 1, 1996, children with open child welfare services cases were given first priority for service in the Purchase of Child Care (POC) program. On June 1, 1996, POC regulations were effective that removed children with open service cases in Child Protective Services (CPS), Intensive Family Services (IFS), Family Now Levels I, II, III, or Kinship Care from POC eligibility. This action transmittal provides clarification regarding the policy.

Issue Date: 6/10/1997
Control #: 97-20
Subject: Excluded Income
Effective Date: 5/30/1997
Program(s) Affected: Food Stamp Program
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9720.pdf

IMA Action Transmittal OPA 95-38 (revised), dated April 3, 1995, informed local departments of the income exclusion for payments received under the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993 (NCSTA). This Information Memo provides clarification of the income exclusions under the Summer Youth Employment and Training Program of the Job Training and Partnership Act (JTPA) and comparable summer youth employment and training programs under AmeriCorps.

Issue Date: 6/26/1997
Control #: 97-18
Subject: Block Grant Reporting Requirements: Student/Education Data Fields
Effective Date: 6/26/1997
Program(s) Affected: ALL
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9718cb.pdf

The Federal Government requires all states that receive Block Grant funding to report specific information to them. They will impose sanctions if this information is not reported correctly. A review of CARES assistance units reveals that the educational demographic fields are not being completed correctly for many customers.

Issue Date: 6/30/1997
Control #: 97-22
Subject: Eligibility Periods for Asylees
Effective Date: 6/30/1997
Program(s) Affected: Temporary Cash Assistance, Food Stamps, Transitional Emergency, Medical and Housing Assistance
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9722.pdf

This Information Memo informs staff how to determine the arrival dates of asylees when calculating their eligibility period. An asylees's period of eligibilty is computed from the date that individual entered the United States. The Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), considers the date of entry to be the date that asylum status was granted. The immigration document (I-94) states the date the asylum was granted.

Issue Date: 6/30/1997
Control #: 97-91
Subject: Community Spouse Minimum Maintenance Monthly Needs Standard and the Shelter Allowance Increase
Effective Date: 7/1/1997
Program(s) Affected: Medical Assistance
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9791.pdf

The Health Care Financing Administration has announced an increase in the community spouse minimum maintenance monthly needs standard (MMMNS) and the shelter allowance effective July 1, 1997. Deducting MMMNS from the income of the institutionalized person enables the spouse to be maintained in the community. The MMMNS applies only to a legal spouse, including a spouse from whom the institutionalized person was separated prior to the institutionalization.

Issue Date: 6/30/1997
Control #: 97-21
Subject: Tel-Life Low Cost Phone Service
Effective Date: 10/1/1997
Program(s) Affected: Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), Transitional Emergency, Medical and Housing Assistancte (TEMHA), Public Assistance to Adults (PAA)
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9721.pdf

In the 1997session the Maryland General Assembly passed legislation for Telephone Lifeline Services that replaces references to obsolete public assistance programs and updates the statue to reflect the current programs. Tel-life is low-cost discount services to anyone who lives in Maryland and receives the following:

Issue Date: 7/8/1997
Control #: 97-19
Subject: Block Grant Reporting Requirements: New Reason Code for Case Closure Due to Marriage
Effective Date: 7/8/1997
Program(s) Affected: ALL
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9719cb.pdf

The Federal Government requires all states that receive Block Grant funding to report specific information to them. There may be federal sanctions if this information is not reported correctly.

Issue Date: 7/8/1997
Control #: 97-15 Revised
Subject: SPA (Scratch Pad Area)
Effective Date: 7/8/1997
Program(s) Affected: ALL
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9715cbRev.pdf

DHR designed CARES to put a case on temporary hold by using the PF5 key (SPA). A case may also be put on SPA when an ABEND (abnormal end) occurs during a system failure, or when data commit fails in an overnight batch run.

Issue Date: 9/30/1997
Control #: 97-76 Revised
Subject: Payment Standards from Other States
Effective Date: 9/30/1997
Program(s) Affected: Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA)
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/9776Rev.pdf

One of the new Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996 (PRWORA) provisions affects customers who have resided in Maryland less than 12 months. The lesser of the payment standard from the prior state or the payment standard from Maryland is the benefit amount to be paid to this assistance unit. Once the customer has resided in Maryland for longer than 12 months, the assistance unit is entitled to the payment standard applicable to Maryland.