Fiscal Year 2001: DHR Documents by Issue Date

Issue Date: 7/11/2000
Control #: 01-01
Subject: ACTION TRANSMITTALS AND INFORMATION MEMOS FOR 2000
Effective Date: 7/11/2000
Program(s) Affected: All Programs
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0101.pdf

The Office of Policy Research and Systems (OPRS) answers policy and procedures questions from local departments statewide on a daily basis. When providing clarification, the caller is often referred to a specific Action Transmittal (AT) or Information Memo (IM) that outlines the policy or procedure in question.

Issue Date: 8/7/2000
Control #: 01-02
Subject: KINSHIP CARE SUBSIDIZED GUARDIANSHIP PROGRAM
Effective Date: 8/7/2000
Program(s) Affected: All Programs
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0102.pdf

In April 1997, the Department of Health and Human Services awarded the Social Services Administration approval to conduct a five-year demonstration project to test the feasibility of subsidized guardianship for children who are court-committed to a local department of social services and living with non-parent relatives. The demonstration project is designed to provide a more permanent family living arrangement for children in the custody of the local departments of social services. Participation in the demonstration project is voluntary. Families are randomly selected and asked if they would like to participate in the pilot project. Under this demonstration project SSA pays a subsidy of $300 per month per child to the non-parent caretaker relative for care of the child if the caretaker relative agrees to become the child's court appointed guardian. When the relative becomes the legal guardian, the State is no longer legally responsible for the child's care and the Foster Care/Kinship Care case is closed.

Issue Date: 8/10/2000
Control #: 01-04
Subject: Withdrawl of Request for Hearing Form (DHR/OS 87)-Revision and Instructions
Effective Date: 8/1/2000
Program(s) Affected: All Programs
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0104.pdf

Applicants or customers have the right to file an appeal and request a hearing if a local department's decision adversely affects their benefits or other services. Use the Withdrawal of Request for Hearing (DHR/OS 87) form when an applicant or customer withdraws the request for hearing.

Issue Date: 8/11/2000
Control #: 01-05
Subject: TREATMENT OF ATTENDANT CARE INCOME
Effective Date: 10/1/2000
Program(s) Affected: Food Stamp Program
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0105.pdf

At the request of another State, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has reconsidered the treatment of attendant care payments made by an outside source to a disabled household member for attendant care when the person providing the care is also a household member. This action transmittal provides the new policy about treatment of income in this situation.

Issue Date: 8/16/2000
Control #: 01-03
Subject: NEW DISTRICT OFFICE IN BALTIMORE CITY
Effective Date: 8/16/2000
Program(s) Affected: All Programs
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0103.pdf

A new district office has been designated for Baltimore City. The Harford Heights DSS has been divided into two offices. One office will remain Harford Heights D.O. #337 and the other office will be named "Northwood DSS" D.O. #360.

Issue Date: 8/16/2000
Control #: 01-06
Subject: HEARINGS REQUEST FORM - DHR/FIA 334 (REVISED 7/00)
Effective Date: 8/16/2000
Program(s) Affected: All Programs
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0106.pdf

Applicants or customers have the right to file an appeal and request a hearing if a local department's decision adversely affects their Family Investment Program benefits. Use the Request For Hearing (DHR/FIA 334) form when an applicant or customer requests a hearing. This form must be readily available in local department reception areas and given to the applicant/customer upon demand.

Issue Date: 8/28/2000
Control #: 01-07
Subject: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS, SDX ON-LINE
Effective Date: 8/28/2000
Program(s) Affected: Medical Assistance (MA) State Data Exchange System (SDX)
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0107.pdf

The attached pages contain responses to questions raised by staff regarding the implementation of the SDX On-Line system and the associated Action Transmittal #00-35. The questions were voiced during the March 2000 Quarterly Policy Briefings, and at the FIA Medical Assistance Eligibility Conference held on Wednesday, May 5, 2000.

Issue Date: 8/29/2000
Control #: 01-08
Subject: LONG TERM CARE (LTC) PROCESSING USING VENDOR CODE 3473
Effective Date: 8/29/2000
Program(s) Affected: LTC Medical Assistance
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0108.pdf

In August of 1995, DHMH issued a Request for Clarification of Medical Assistance Eligibility Policy and/or Procedure (CR-720 & 728) to clarify the procedures for instances when non-institutionalized persons make a request for coverage of LTC. This procedure is still in effect. In order to accommodate the applicant and the LTC facility with the least amount of time and effort on the part of the local department, please use the following procedure whenever a non-institutionalized person makes a request for LTC coverage.

Issue Date: 8/31/2000
Control #: 01-09
Subject: ASYLEE ELIGIBILITY FOR REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT PROGRAM BENEFITS
Effective Date: 8/31/2000
Program(s) Affected: Refugee Cash Assistance
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0109.pdf

The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) in the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has announced that, effective June 15, 2000 asylees are eligible for refugee assistance and services beginning on the date that they are granted asylum. This is a substantial policy change, since previously asylees were deemed eligible for refugee cash assistance benefits for 8 months from the date they arrived in the United States. Since the process of applying for asylum and having the case heard and decided often exceeded 8 months, many asylees were ineligible by the time they arrived at the local Department of Social Services Office to apply for benefits. Effective immediately under ORR's new policy, an asylee's entry date will be the date that the individual is granted asylum in the United States. This policy change is particularly important for asylees who need to access refugee cash and medical assistance (RCA and RMA). For example, an individual enters United States on December 1, 2000 as a tourist. He or she applies for asylum on April 1, 2001. The asylum office interviews the individual on June 1, 2001 and grants asylum on August 1, 2001. This individual's date of entry would be August 1, 2001, the date asylum was granted. The asylee would be eligible to access refugee cash and medical assistance from August 1, 2001, through March 31, 2002. Under the old rule, the 8-month eligibility period would have begun December 1, 2000 and would have ended just before asylum was granted.

Issue Date: 9/1/2000
Control #: 01-11
Subject: TEMPORARY CASH ASSISTANCE AND FOOD STAMP MASS CHANGE - OCTOBER 2000
Effective Date: 10/1/2000
Program(s) Affected: Temporary Cash Assistance Food Stamps
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0111.pdf

Each October, the United States Department of Agriculture publishes a new Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) on which food stamp program allotments are based. The net and gross monthly income standards increase effective October 1, 2000. The maximum food stamp allotments and excess shelter deduction also increase. The standard deduction and homeless shelter allowance are unchanged. The Welfare Innovation Act of 1996 requires that the total of Temporary Cash Assistance and Food Stamps be at least 61percent of the established Minimum Living Level. The established minimum living level for Federal Fiscal Year 2001 is $1,278 for a family of three. On October 1, 2000 a 5.276 percent payment increase for Temporary Cash Assistance applicants and recipients is in effect. The key dates for actions related to the benefit increase for this program are noted below.

Issue Date: 9/6/2000
Control #: 01-10
Subject: COLLECTING AND POSTING FOOD STAMP OVERPAYMENTS FROM THE TREASURY OFFSET PROGRAM (TOP)
Effective Date: 9/6/2000
Program(s) Affected: Food Stamp Program
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0110.pdf

Effective October 1, 1999 the Food and Nutrition Service changed the way they distribute funds from the Treasury Offset Program (TOP). This change has caused some confusion about how to record payments on the FNS-209 report.

Issue Date: 9/14/2000
Control #: 01-12
Subject: STATE ON-LINE QUERY (SOLQ)
Effective Date: 10/1/2000
Program(s) Affected: Medical Assistance
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0112.pdf

On August 22, 1997, DHR implemented the state Verification Exchange System (SVES) statewide. SVES is an automated data exchange system with the Social Security Administration (SSA) for verifying social security numbers, Title II Social Security benefits, Title XVI Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, and Quarters of Coverage History (QCHS).

Issue Date: 9/19/2000
Control #: 01-13
Subject: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS -- 2000 FIRST QUARTER
Effective Date: 9/19/2000
Program(s) Affected: TCA, FS AND MA
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0113.pdf

FIA Policy and Training staff conducted Quarterly Briefings in March 2000 to provide local staff with information concerning newly released policy. Questions surfaced during the briefings and other training sessions conducted since that time. The following is a compilation of program questions with the answers and clarifications related to those questions. This transmittal also clarifies and expands on answers given in FIA Information Memo 00-41.

Issue Date: 9/26/2000
Control #: 01-14
Subject: DISABILITY MEDICAL EXAMINATION FEE INCREASE
Effective Date: 8/14/2000
Program(s) Affected: Transitional Emergency, Medical and Housing Assistance (TEMHA)
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0114.pdf

The Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review (AELR Committee) approved the Department's request for emergency adoption of regulations (COMAR .07.06.05.04) to increase the medical examination fee and laboratory work fee for TEMHA (Transitional Emergency, Medical and Housing Assistance) applicants. This change will bring physician and laboratory test fees into conformity with fees paid under Medical Assistance (Medicaid) schedules. The increase is effective August 14, 2000.

Issue Date: 10/16/2000
Control #: 01-15
Subject: PURCHASE OF CHILD CARE CASE TRANSFER POLICY
Effective Date: 10/16/2000
Program(s) Affected: Purchase of Child Care
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0115.pdf

The procedures for transferring cases within the CARES system for FIA programs was outlined in Action Transmittal 00-34 and–34 Addendum. This action transmittal aligns POC's case transfer process with the FIA process to the extent possible.

Issue Date: 10/17/2000
Control #: 01-16
Subject: QUESTONS AND ANSWERS -- BALTIMORE APPEALS AND HEARINGS TRAINING
Effective Date: 10/17/2000
Program(s) Affected: Temporary Cash Assistance
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0116.pdf

FIA Policy and Training staff conducted the Baltimore City Appeals and Conciliation Training in May and Consent Order training in August. Both training sessions provided BCDSS staff with information concerning new policy and procedures. The following is a compilation of questions resulting from the sessions with answers and clarifications related to those questions.

Issue Date: 11/6/2000
Control #: 01-17
Subject: MEDICAL ASSISTANCE DE-LINKING, REDERTERMINATION PROCESSING, FAC AND MCHP SPROUT, AND INCOME COMPUTATION
Effective Date: 11/6/2000
Program(s) Affected: Medical Assistance
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0117.pdf

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996 (PRWORA) eliminated the requirement that states grant Medicaid eligibility to all welfare recipients. This is sometimes referred to as "de-linking" because it separated Medicaid eligibility from welfare eligibility. States were given an option to continue to provide automatic Medicaid eligibility to cash assistance recipients, and Maryland has taken this option. The de-linking also required that states make separate Medicaid eligibility determinations for those who are ineligible for cash assistance, and that applicants be tested for eligibility in all categories for which they may qualify. Action Transmittal 99-45 addressed the short term steps taken to ensure that applicants were appropriately tested for Medical Assistance when Temporary Cash Assistance is denied or closed, and whenever eligibility in any Medical Assistance category is denied or closed.

Issue Date: 11/17/2000
Control #: 01-18
Subject: CIS SERVICES - 1
Effective Date: 11/17/2000
Program(s) Affected: Purchase of Child Care
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0118.pdf

CIS data entry for the POC program requires the completion of a Services-1 form. The purpose of this Action transmittal is to convey procedures for completing the Services-1 form for POC.

Issue Date: 11/24/2000
Control #: 01-21
Subject: SOCIAL SECURITY (RSDI) AND SSI COST-OF-LIVING INCREASE AND RELATED INCREASES
Effective Date: 1/1/2000
Program(s) Affected: Cash Assistance, Food Stamps, Medical Assistance
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0121.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. The mass change process to take these changes into account for grant, food stamp and medical assistance purposes is described in this transmittal.

Issue Date: 11/27/2000
Control #: 01-19
Subject: LEGAL REPRESENTATION
Effective Date: 1/1/2001
Program(s) Affected: Medical Assistance (LTC
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0119.pdf

Customers applying for long-term care medical assistance must meet technical and financial criteria before eligibility can be determined. Often times, customers may be denied eligibility for failure to meet certain requirements of eligibility. These customers may require legal assistance with the appeals process. The customers can receive, upon request, a booklet titled"Some Questions and Answers about Financial Eligibility for Medicaid Nursing Home Services" from their case managers. This booklet lists the names of organizations that assist customers in the pursuit of Medicaid eligibility. (A new supply of the booklet will be sent to each local department by the DHR warehouse.) The Maryland Bar Association's Elder Law Section has instituted a new program to provide free legal representation, if qualified, to individuals denied Medicaid eligibility for long-term care benefits. The Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS) will accomplish eligibility screening and locate an attorney to assist with the appeal.

Issue Date: 12/1/2000
Control #: 01-20
Subject: POC CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS
Effective Date: 5/1/2001
Program(s) Affected: Purchase of Child Care (POC)
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0120.pdf

This action transmittal clarifies the Department of Human Resources’ policy regarding citizenship and immigration status when determining eligibility for POC benefits. Its purpose is to assure that eligible children of foreign born parents have access to child care services. The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA), P. L. 104-193, restricts the access of certain categories of immigrants to specified Federal benefits. In 1998, the Department of Health and Human Services provided clarification to States that the child is the primary beneficiary of the child care benefit and only the citizenship and immigration status of the child is relevant for eligibility purposes for child care subsidy programs. Local departments were advised of this policy through a memorandum to local directors dated September 27, 1999.

Issue Date: 12/18/2000
Control #: 01-22
Subject: INCREASE IN THE PHONE AND UTILITY ALLOWANCES
Effective Date: 1/1/2001
Program(s) Affected: Food Stamp Program
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0122.pdf

Each year we reassess the amount of the utility standards based on the Consumer Price Index for fuel. We also contact the telephone companies to determine if there has been an increase in basic phone cost. This transmittal provides information about increases in the standard and limited utility allowances and the phone allowance.

Issue Date: 12/21/2000
Control #: 01-24
Subject: WORKFORCE INVESTMENT ACT OF 1998
Effective Date: 7/1/2000
Program(s) Affected: All Programs
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0124.pdf

On July 1, 2000 the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) replaced the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA). The WIA provides services to individuals under the same programs that JTPA funded.

Issue Date: 12/22/2000
Control #: 01-25
Subject: REMINDERS FOR STATE-FUNDED TCA GROUPS, 24-MONTH WORK REQUIREMENT, ATTENDANCE DATA, FAMILY INDEPENDENCE PLANS, AND WO MIS AND CARES CODING
Effective Date: 12/22/2000
Program(s) Affected: Temporary Cash Assistance
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0125.pdf

Action Transmittal #99-05 describes the reporting process used to identify Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) customers that are nearing the 24-month time limit. Action Transmittal #99-18 provides local departments with reminders, clarifications and new expectations regarding TCA customers reaching the 24-month time limit. Action Transmittal # 99-32 identifies Maryland’s state-funded TCA customer groups, the time limits, work requirements and CARES coding for those groups. Action Transmittals #99-46 and #99-48 identify two new state-funded TCA groups and instructions for CARES coding.

Issue Date: 12/22/2000
Control #: 01-21 addendum
Subject: SOCIAL SECURITY (RSDI) AND SSI COST-OF-LIVING INCREASE AND RELATED INCREASES
Effective Date: 12/22/2000
Program(s) Affected: Cash Assistance, Food Stamps, Medical Assistance
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0121add.doc

On November 24, 2000, the Family Investment Administration issued an updated Cost-of-Living-Arrangements (COLA) Action Transmittal #01-21. Since then we have received several questions about a new category on the rates and per diems chart called Assisted Living. The terminology in the letters attached to AT #01-21 also changed to Assisted Living. The reason for the addition of this term is because DHMH promulgated regulations last year which changed the term Domiciliary Care (Dom Care) to Assisted Living . In addition please make note of the statement at the bottom of page one on AT #01-21 in capital letters. This statement gives the impression that the local staff must manually change the Railroad Retirement and Veteran Benefit increased amounts. CARES will automatically update these figures during the mass modification, therefore the FIA worker is not required to do a manual change. Please attach this Information Memo to Action Transmittal #01-21.

Issue Date: 12/22/2000
Control #: 01-23
Subject: INTERVIEWING, COMPLETING FORMS AND REVIEWING CASE RECORDS OF FAMILY MEMBERS
Effective Date: 12/22/2000
Program(s) Affected: All Programs
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0123.pdf

The Annotated Code of Maryland, Section 15-501(a) (1) states that “an official or employee may not participate in a matter if: the official or employee or a qualifying relative of the official or employee has an interest in the matter and the official or employee know of the interest…” Section 15-102 (2) (gg) defines a qualifying relative as “a spouse, parent, child, brother.” This information memo addresses how DSS staff should handle processing and review of cases when the applicant is a relative or close associate of that DSS staff.

Issue Date: 1/2/2001
Control #: 01-26
Subject: TANF WORK PARTICIPATION RATE REQUIREMENTS
Effective Date: 1/2/2001
Program(s) Affected: Temporary Cash Assistance
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0126.pdf

Action Transmittals 97-66R and #97-67 describe the work requirements under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 and the definitions for each of the federal work activities. Each month, states must ensure that a significant number of all parents receiving Temporary Cash Assistance participate in a work activity, as defined by the federal legislation. During Federal Fiscal Year 2001 (October 2000 – September 2001), the percentage served each month (known as the Participation Rate) must average 45% minus the State's Caseload Reduction Credit. We anticipate that our caseload reduction credit will significantly reduce our actual Participation Rate Requirement. For a case to be countable toward meeting the Participation Rate Requirement in FFY 2001, the parent must be participating in a federally defined activity for an average of 30 hours per week. The first 20 hours must be in one of the core work activities described in AT #97-67. For the cases selected in the monthly federal reporting sample, the activity and attendance information must be entered into the Work Opportunities Management Information System (WO MIS) to be included in the federal report.

Issue Date: 1/26/2001
Control #: 01-27
Subject: CARES 2001 PRODUCTION OPERATIONS SCHEDULE
Effective Date: 1/1/2001
Program(s) Affected: All
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0127.pdf

The attached is the CIS Production Operations Schedule for 2001. If there are any questions regarding the schedule please contact Ruth Waugh at (410) 238-1242.

Issue Date: 1/31/2001
Control #: 01-28
Subject: STATE REVIEW TEAM (SRT) - PROCEDURES
Effective Date: 1/31/2001
Program(s) Affected: Medical Assistance and Transitional Emergency, Medical and Housing Assistance (TEMHA)
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0128.pdf

This action transmittal provides procedures to refer Medial Assistance applicants to the State Review Team (SRT) for a disability determination. The SRT makes disability determinations for Medical Assistance (MA) and Transitional Emergency Medical and Housing Assistance (TEMHA).

Issue Date: 1/31/2001
Control #: 01-28a
Subject: MEDICAL REPORT FORM 402B
Effective Date: 1/31/2001
Program(s) Affected:
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0128a.pdf

Issue Date: 1/31/2001
Control #: 01-28b
Subject: Authorization to Release InformationPersonal Physician, Hospital or Clinic
Effective Date: 1/31/2001
Program(s) Affected:
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0128b.pdf

Issue Date: 2/2/2001
Control #: 01-29
Subject: FIP Substance Abuse Treatment and Services
Effective Date: 1/2/2001
Program(s) Affected: Temporary Cash Assistance, Food Stamps and Medical Assistance
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0129.pdf

During its 2000 session, the Maryland General Assembly passed House Bill 1160, the Welfare Innovation Act of 2000. Provisions of this bill set forth a revised process for substance abuse screening, treatment referrals and reporting for customers receiving Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA). The bill requires certified addiction specialists to be on-site in all local departments of social services (LDSS) to conduct substance abuse screening; conduct or refer for assessment; refer drug felons for testing; refer for treatment; and, provide information case managers need to determine eligibility for benefits.

Issue Date: 2/7/2001
Control #: 01-30
Subject: EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT (EITC) AND OTHER TAX CREDITS
Effective Date: 2/7/2001
Program(s) Affected: All Programs
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0130.pdf

Now that tax season is upon us it is important to remind our low income working families about the Earned Income Tax Credit and other benefits available to them as they begin preparing their taxes. EITC reduces the tax burden on low-income families, supplements wages and helps make work more profitable than welfare. Anyone who has worked and earned money during the year 2000 may qualify for EITC. EITC does not count as income for TCA, Food Stamps and most other FIA programs. There are some other tax credits that our low income workers can file for as well: the Child Tax Credit, the Child and Dependent Care Credit, the Maryland Earned Income Tax Credit, and the Montgomery County Working Families Income Tax Supplement. This memo disseminates information about the available tax benefits and encourages local departments to raise the awareness of these benefits for working customers through local promotional campaigns.

Issue Date: 2/12/2001
Control #: 01-31
Subject: VEHICLE EXCLUSION
Effective Date: 3/1/2001
Program(s) Affected: Food Stamp Program
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0131.pdf

This action transmittal provides information about changes in how we treat vehicles

Issue Date: 2/13/2001
Control #: 01-32
Subject: HOUSEHOLD COMPOSITION - CHILD AGE 17 OR YOUNGER LIVING WITH SOMEONE OTHER THAN A PARENT
Effective Date: 2/13/2001
Program(s) Affected: Food Stamp Program
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0132.pdf

Final Food Stamp Program regulations published October 30, 2000 included a definition of parental control. This will help with determining whether a child age 17 or younger is under the parental control of someone other than a parent.

Issue Date: 2/26/2001
Control #: 01-33
Subject: CATEGORICAL ELIGIBILITY FOR FOOD STAMPS
Effective Date: 3/1/2001
Program(s) Affected: Food Stamp Program
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0133.pdf

The Food and Nutrition Service published new regulations on November 21, 2000 that clarified food stamp categorical eligibility for families that receive a Temporary Assistance Needy Families (TANF) service or benefit. TANF funds many programs for families in Maryland. This policy will make more households potentially eligible for food stamp benefits effective March 1, 2001.

Issue Date: 3/8/2001
Control #: 01-34
Subject: INCREASE IN THE EXCESS SHELTER DEDUCTION
Effective Date: 3/1/2001
Program(s) Affected: FOOD STAMP PROGRAM
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0134.pdf

On October 28, 2000 President Clinton signed Public Law 106-387, which amends the Food Stamp Act. One of the provisions of this rule increases the maximum amount of excess shelter expense deduction.

Issue Date: 4/9/2001
Control #: 01-35
Subject: 2001 FEDERAL POVERTY LEVELS AND FIP SCHEDULE UPDATE
Effective Date: 4/1/2001
Program(s) Affected: TEMPORARY CASH ASSISTANCE
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0135.pdf

The Federal Poverty Income guidelines increased on March 1, 2001. The new poverty levels were on CARES effective April 1, 2001. For your convenience, a chart with the new poverty levels is attached (Attachment 1). In addition, this Information Memo updates only Column C - 50% Poverty Level - of the FIP Schedule. The amounts in Columns A and B do not change. The new amounts are used when determining eligibility for Temporary Cash Assistance applications and recertifications completed on or after April 1, 2001. For your convenience, a copy of the updated FIP Schedule is attached (Attachment 2).

Issue Date: 4/30/2001
Control #: 01-36
Subject: INCREASE IN MEDICAL EXAMINATION AND LABORATORY FEES
Effective Date: 5/1/2001
Program(s) Affected: TEMPORARY CASH ASSISTANCE AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0136.pdf

Action Transmittal #01-14 (CSA/OAS 01-02) notified local departments of the increase in the fee for completion of the medical form DHR/FIA 402-B to $60 and an increase in the cap for laboratory work to $40 for TEMHA applicants. The increase was effective August 14, 2000. This action transmittal informs local departments of increases in medical examination and laboratory fees for the Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) program and the Aged, Blind and Disabled (ABD) category of the Medical Assistance program.

Issue Date: 5/1/2001
Control #: 01-37
Subject: WELFARE AVOIDANCE GRANTS
Effective Date: 5/1/2001
Program(s) Affected: FOOD STAMP PROGRAM
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0137.pdf

Federal regulations for the treatment of Welfare Avoidance Grants (WAG) have changed. This action transmittal supercedes action transmittal #00-36 Treatment of Welfare Avoidance Grants issued March 7, 2000.

Issue Date: 5/3/2001
Control #: 01-38
Subject: DISQUALIFIED RECIPIENT SUB-SYSTEM AND VOICE RESPONSE UNIT (DRS/VRU)
Effective Date: 5/3/2001
Program(s) Affected: FOOD STAMPS
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0138.pdf

In the Food Stamp Program persons disqualified from participation for intentional program violations (IPV) are subject to escalating penalties depending on the number of offenses (up to permanent disqualification). Since the Food Stamp Program is national, the penalties imposed by one state are valid in all states. So that states can track records and determine appropriate penalty levels, FNS has a central database in which states enter data. States can retrieve data directly from the database, called the Disqualified Recipient Sub-system (DRS), or by telephoning the Voice Response Unit (VRU). The Family Investment Administration has access to the DRS, maintains it through monthly updates and uses it for inquiry. Local departments forward the Disqualified Recipient Report FNS 524 or the Waiver to an Administrative Disqualification Hearing DHR OIG 7 to Sherri Dyson-McCray in FIA’s Office of Policy, Research and Systems to implement disqualification penalties for IPV’s. Ms Dyson-McCray enters the disqualification into the DRS.

Issue Date: 5/4/2001
Control #: 01-39
Subject: GUIDE FOR DISABLED TCA CUSTOMERS AND TCA ADULT CAREGIVERS
Effective Date: 5/1/2001
Program(s) Affected: TEMPORARY CASH ASSISTANCE
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0139.pdf

Action transmittal #99-46 provided local departments with a Guide to policy and procedures for the state-funded Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) program for disabled TCA customers who are referred to the Disability Entitlement Advocacy Program (DEAP/TCA). Action transmittal #99-46 Attachments provided copies of the DEAP/TCA program forms. This action transmittal obsoletes AT #99-46 and AT #99-46 Attachments, and provides a new Guide

Issue Date: 5/21/2001
Control #: 01-40
Subject: POC APPLICATION PROCESS
Effective Date: 7/1/2001
Program(s) Affected: PURCHASE OF CHILD CARE
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0140.pdf

This action transmittal outlines the policy changes regarding the application process.

Issue Date: 5/22/2001
Control #: 01-41
Subject: POC INCOME ELIGIBILITY
Effective Date: 7/1/2001
Program(s) Affected: PURCHASE OF CHILD CARE
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0141.pdf

This action transmittal clarifies Child Care Administration policy and procedures for determining income eligibility.

Issue Date: 5/23/2001
Control #: 01-42
Subject: PURCHASE OF CARE (POC) PROVIDER VOLUNTARY CLOSURES
Effective Date: 7/1/2001
Program(s) Affected: PURCHASE OF CARE (POC)
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0142.pdf

Effective July 1, 2001, the Child Care Administration is making regulatory and/or procedural changes to the Purchase of Care (POC) program. This action transmittal provides information on changes associated with provider voluntary closures.

Issue Date: 5/24/2001
Control #: 01-43
Subject: PURCHASE OF CARE (POC) CHANGES FOR CHILD CARE DURING NON-TRADITIONAL HOURS
Effective Date: 7/1/2001
Program(s) Affected: PURCHASE OF CARE (POC)
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0143.pdf

Effective July 1, 2001, the Child Care Administration is making regulatory and/or procedural changes to the Purchase of Care (POC) program. This action transmittal provides information on changes associated with child care during non-traditional hours. Non-traditional hours are 1 hour or more between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. and any period of 1 hour or more on Saturday or Sunday. We continue to pay a differential percentage above the subsidy rates listed on the voucher for care authorized during non-traditional hours

Issue Date: 5/25/2001
Control #: 01-44
Subject: POC TIERED REIMBURSEMENT
Effective Date: 7/1/2001
Program(s) Affected: PURCHASE OF CHILD CARE (POC)
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0144.pdf

Beginning July 1, 2001, regulated family child care providers and child care centers who care for children receiving Purchase of Child Care (POC) may be eligible for monthly incentive payments if they meet requirements tied to quality improvements.

Issue Date: 5/29/2001
Control #: 01-45
Subject: POC PROVIDER FRAUD AND RECOUPMENT
Effective Date: 7/1/2001
Program(s) Affected: PURCHASE OF CHILD CARE
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0145.pdf

Payment is denied to any provider who has committed fraud against the Department. The determination of fraud is based on a determination by the Inspector General's Office, a law enforcement agency or an adjudication by a reviewing tribunal and the initiation of recoupment procedures by the local department. Providers who commit fraud cannot receive any POC payments for 12 months from the date payment was denied for committing fraud even if they make full restitution to the local department within the 12 month period. If the repayment period exceeds 12 months, providers cannot receive payment until they make full restitution to the local department. Any child care center, family child care home or informal provider who is denied payment for committing fraud can appeal to the Office of Administrative Appeals. Please find the statewide list of investigators from the Inspector General's Office attached for quick reference. Please refer to Action Transmittal 98-51 for overpayment processing information.

Issue Date: 6/1/2001
Control #: 01-47
Subject: ADDED ALLOWABLE UTILITY COSTS AND ELIGIBILITY FOR THE STANDARD UTILITY ALLOWANCE
Effective Date: 6/1/2001
Program(s) Affected: FOOD STAMP PROGRAM
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0147.pdf

This Action Transmittal is one of several that we will issue about the recently published Food Stamp regulation changes. Many of the regulation changes must be implemented by June 1, 2001. One of the changes added several allowable shelter costs. It also changed expanded eligibility for the utility allowance. This action transmittal provides the new policy.

Issue Date: 6/1/2001
Control #: 01-46
Subject: TRANSITIONAL EMERGENCY, MEDICAL AND HOUSING ASSISTANCE (TEHMA) GRANT INCREASE
Effective Date: 7/1/2001
Program(s) Affected: TEHMA
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0146.pdf

The Transitional Emergency, Medical and Housing Assistance (TEHMA) is a State-funded initiative to provide essential medical, housing and other services to low-income disabled adults who are ineligible for other categories of assistance. TEMHA is a capped entitlement for eligible customers. This Information Memo confirms the July 2001 implementation of a $53 payment increase for TEHMA applicants and recipients. The maximum TEHMA grant effective July 1, 2001 is $185. CARES will be updated on June 8, effective July 1, 2001. Customer notices for increases and decreases will be generated at the time of the mass change.

Issue Date: 6/6/2001
Control #: 01-48
Subject: NEW VOTER REGISTRATION FORM (SBE 03-202-1 Rev 3/00)
Effective Date: 6/6/2001
Program(s) Affected: ALL
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0148.pdf

After the past election, all states are taking a hard look at their voter registration and voting process. In Maryland, this includes a renewed effort to promote voter registration through the agencies mandated to offer their clients the opportunity to apply to register to vote by the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), of which the Department of Human Resources is one. The Secretary of State continues to hold meetings with NVRA agencies to assure compliance with the Act.

Issue Date: 6/8/2001
Control #: 01-52
Subject: EXPANSION OF THE MARYLAND CHILDREN’S HEALTH PROGRAM
Effective Date: 7/1/2001
Program(s) Affected: MARYLAND CHILDREN’S HEALTH PROGRAM
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0152.pdf

In last year’s session the General Assembly enacted The Maryland Health Program Expansion Act of 2000. This act expands coverage under the Maryland Children’s Health Program (MCHP) to include two new groups. The first group includes pregnant women who have income greater than 200% of the Federal Poverty level (FPL) but not greater than 250%. The second group includes children under the age of 19, who have family income greater than 200% FPL, but not greater than 300% FPL. This act is effective July 1, 2001. The second group will pay a premium for coverage

Issue Date: 6/8/2001
Control #: 01-52 addendum
Subject: EXPANSION OF THE MARYLAND CHILDREN’S HEALTH PROGRAM addendum
Effective Date: 7/1/2001
Program(s) Affected: MARYLAND CHILDREN’S HEALTH PROGRAM
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0152a.pdf

NEW CARES PROCESSING

Issue Date: 6/8/2001
Control #: 01-49
Subject: APPLICATION PROCESSING AND INTERVIEWS
Effective Date: 6/1/2001
Program(s) Affected: FOOD STAMP PROGRAM
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0149.pdf

This Action Transmittal is one of several that we will issue about the recently published Food Stamp regulation changes. Many of the regulation changes must be implemented by June 1, 2001. These revised rules change office operations and application processing slightly. The regulations also include requirements that will enhance customer service.

Issue Date: 6/9/2001
Control #: 01-51
Subject: CERTIFICATION PERIODS, ENDING A CERTIFICATION PERIOD EARLY AND LENGTHENING A CERTIFICATION PERIOD
Effective Date: 6/1/2001
Program(s) Affected: FOOD STAMP PROGRAM
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0151.PDF

This Action Transmittal is one of several that we will issue about the recently published Food Stamp regulation changes. The revised rules change how we assign certification periods and how we shorten certification periods. It also permits us to extend certification periods.

Issue Date: 6/9/2001
Control #: 01-50
Subject: Recertification
Effective Date: 6/1/2001
Program(s) Affected: FOOD STAMP PROGRAM
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0150.pdf

This Action Transmittal is one of several that we will issue about the recently published Food Stamp regulation changes. We must implement many of the changes by June 1, 2001. The revised rules change the requirement for face-to-face interviews at recertification, require that we send a notice of missed interview when a household misses the recertification appointment and streamlines the procedures for delays in processing at recertification.

Issue Date: 6/12/2001
Control #: 01-53
Subject: DHMH NOTICE ABOUT RECIPIENTS TURNING AGE 65
Effective Date: 6/12/2001
Program(s) Affected: Medical Assistance
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0153.pdf

Effective January 1, 2001, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) amended the HealthChoice eligibility and enrollment regulations, COMAR 10.09.63, requiring Medical Assistance (Medicaid) recipients to be disenrolled from HealthChoice when they turn 65 years old.

Issue Date: 6/14/2001
Control #: 01-54
Subject: ST. MARY’S COUNTY- LEXINGTON PARK OFFICE
Effective Date: 6/14/2001
Program(s) Affected: All Programs
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0154.pdf

The Lexington Park Office of St. Mary’s County has relocated.

Issue Date: 6/29/2001
Control #: 01-55
Subject: CHANGE IN COUNTIES THAT ARE EXEMPT FROM THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ABLE-BODIED ADULTS WITHOUT DEPENDENTS
Effective Date: 5/1/2001
Program(s) Affected: FOOD STAMP PROGRAM
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/0155.pdf

Every year we send a waiver request to the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to extend Maryland's waiver to exempt counties from the requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWD). We recently received the FNS response that eliminated three jurisdictions from the exemption.

Issue Date: 4/27/2011
Control #: 11-25 Attachment
Subject: Informal Provider Creator Information Form
Effective Date: 5/2/2011
Program(s) Affected:
Link to Document: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/dhr/1125attach.pdf