1 The Food Stamp Reimbursement (FSR) Process: It’s Changing Agency for Workforce Innovation...

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The Food Stamp The Food Stamp Reimbursement (FSR) Reimbursement (FSR) Process: It’s ChangingProcess: It’s Changing

Agency for Workforce InnovationSeptember 2007

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ObjectivesObjectives

Obtain a clear understanding of how the Food Stamp Reimbursements (FSRs) will be paid.

Obtain a clear understanding of the change in the FSR amount and procedures.

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What changes will occur?What changes will occur?

Two changes: Change #1 - How the FSRs will be paid Change #2 - Amounts for which

participants will qualify

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Change in How PaidChange in How Paid

Placed on Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Card in cash account

Effective September 20, 2007 In account of primary cardholder in household

seven calendar days after requested Available for 12 months Unused benefits are expunged after 12

months

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Change in AmountChange in Amount

For FSET Participants– Now $25 regardless of the activity– Effective October 1, 2007Effective October 1, 2007

$25 for Orientation $12, $25 or Other for Work Experience/Self-

Initiated Work Experience (WE/SIWE) $20, $40 or Other for Education and Training

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Change in AmountChange in Amount

For OWP Participants– Now $25 for Orientation, Work Experience

(WE) and Self-Initiated Work Experience (SIWE)

– Effective October 1, 2007Effective October 1, 2007 $25 for Orientation $12, $25 or Other for WE/SIWE

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AuthorityAuthority

7 CFR 273.7 (d)(3)– Participant reimbursements. The

State agency must provide payments to participants in its E&T (Employment and Training) program, including applicants and volunteers, for expenses that are reasonably necessary and directly related to participation in the E&T program.

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Authority: 7 CFR 273.7 Authority: 7 CFR 273.7

The State agency must inform each E&T participant that allowable expenses will be reimbursed by the State agency upon presentation of appropriate documentation.

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Documentation of NeedDocumentation of Need

System generated Case Note - Each time a request is entered

Authority – 2005 USDA Food Stamp Program Review Tool: “Did case file document show need for and payment of reimbursement?”

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FSR Qualifying ActivitiesFSR Qualifying Activities

All activities, with the exception of employment, qualify for the monthly reimbursement (FSR) for any month activities are open with documentation of the required number of hours.

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FSR Qualification DetailsFSR Qualification DetailsFSET County (i.e., Non-workfare)FSET County (i.e., Non-workfare)

FSRs can be requested in FSET counties (i.e., non-workfare) if any of the following is true:

Participant successfully completed Orientation (500) in that month, or

Any one of the following activities is open in that month for at least one day:

– Work Experience (WE) (509)

– Self-Initiated Work Experience (SIWE) (517)

– FSET Assessment (575)

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– Upfront Job Search/WE-SIWE (576)

– WE combined with JS/JST (577)

– SIWE combined with JS/JST (578)

– Workforce Investment Act Training (579)

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– Trade Adjustment Assistance Training (580)

– Education/training (581)

– Education/training combined with JS/JST (582)

NOTE: Only one FSR can be earned in a month even if more than one qualifying activity/training is open in that month.

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$25 for Orientation$25 for Orientation

FSR must be requested for participants who attend – Includes

Those who attend Assessment in lieu of Orientation

Those who attend Orientation to have a sanction lifted

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$12, $25 or Other for WE/SIWE$12, $25 or Other for WE/SIWE

Participant completes 1-50 percent of the assigned hours - reimbursed $12 for that month

Participant completes more than 50 percent of the assigned hours - reimbursed $25 for that month

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Other – Can receive up to the maximum amount ($25) if they provide actual documentation (receipts, etc.) showing that it cost them more than $12 to participate in the activity

NOTE: Participants must be notified in writing of the opportunity to claim actual expenses up to the maximum.

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$20, 40 or Other for Education $20, 40 or Other for Education and Trainingand Training

Participant completes 1-50 percent of the assigned hours - reimbursed $20 for that month

Participant completes more than 50 percent of the assigned hours - reimbursed $40 for that month

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$20, 40 or Other for Education $20, 40 or Other for Education and Trainingand Training

Other – Can receive up to the maximum amount ($40) if they provide actual documentation (receipts, etc.) showing that it cost them more than $20 to participate in the activity


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FSR Qualification DetailsFSR Qualification Details(Workfare (Workfare County) County)

FSRs can be requested in a Workfare county for a month if any of the following is true:

Participant successfully completed Orientation (500) in that month.

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FSR Qualification DetailsFSR Qualification Details(Workfare (Workfare County)County)

Educational trainings (579, 580, 581, and 582) are open during the month if Work Experience (509) or Self-Initiated Work Experience (517) is open for at least one day.

NOTE: Educational trainings (579, 580, 581, 582) do not qualify for an FSR in a Workfare county if Work Experience or Self-Initiated Work Experience is not also open during the month.

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Any one of the following activities is open during the month for at least one day:

– Work Experience (WE) (509)

– Self-Initiated Work Experience (SIWE) (517)

– Upfront Job Search/WE-SIWE (576)

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WE combined with JS/JST (577)

SIWE combined with JS/JST (578)

NOTE: Only one FSR can be earned in a month even if more than one qualifying activity/training is open in that month.

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$25 for Orientation$25 for Orientation

FSR must be requested for participants who attend – Includes

Those who attend Assessment in lieu of Orientation

Those who attend Orientation to have a sanction lifted

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Participant completes 1-50 percent of the assigned hours - reimbursed $12 for that month.

Participants completes more than 50 percent of the assigned hours - reimbursed $25 for that month.

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Other – Can receive up to the maximum amount ($25) if they provide actual documentation (receipts, etc.) showing that it cost them more than $12 to participate in the activity.


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Requesting the FSRRequesting the FSR

The FSR request is made on the OSST “FSR Requests” screen:– The type is pre-populated, but Career

Managers should enter the amount and earned date.

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Canceling the FSR RequestCanceling the FSR Request(Prior to the Date Processed)(Prior to the Date Processed)

Click the hyperlinked “T” under Type in the Food Stamp Reimbursement Request Summary.

Enter the date of cancellation. All other information is pre-populated.

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Canceled FSR RequestCanceled FSR Request

All details about the FSR can be seen on the screen..

The “T” is no longer a hyperlink. Cancellation Date

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Canceling the FSR RequestCanceling the FSR Request(After the Date Processed)(After the Date Processed)

Can no longer be done

Ensure request is canceled before processed if not earned

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Timeframes for IssuanceTimeframes for Issuance

Requests will be processed the sixth calendar day after entered

Career Manager must request the FSR by close of business on the request date

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Multiple FSR RequestsMultiple FSR Requests

Make sure warranted before requested– No way to cancel after processed

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Understanding the FSR Request Understanding the FSR Request SummarySummary

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Understanding the FSR Understanding the FSR Request SummaryRequest Summary

Type – T = Transportation

Earned Dt. = Month and Year the FSR was earned (Month and year for which documentation of hours completed is presented)

Amount = $25.00

NOTE: FSRs that have been processed will have the hyperlink under the T. However, upon clicking on the link, the details of the FSR will be displayed in a “read only” mode.

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Understanding the FSR Request Understanding the FSR Request SummarySummary

Request Dt. = Date the Career Manager entered the FSR request in the OSST system

Processed Dt. = Date will be equivalent to the sixth calendar day after the request is entered

Warrant Dt. = Date will be equivalent to the date the FSR will be in the EBT account

Warrant No. – Will be used for tracking purposes as needed

Cancel Dt. = Date the Career Manager canceled the request in the OSST system

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Problems? TroubleshootingProblems? Troubleshooting

Participant stated FSR was not on card

Suspicion of fraud

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FSR was not on cardFSR was not on card

Career Manager– Ensure request was entered in system

Ensure not awaiting additional information

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Suspicion of FraudSuspicion of Fraud

Problem: You suspect fraudulent activity. Solution: Ensure frequent contact with

work site supervisors to ensure that individuals are participating and to assist with any problems before they arise.

If fraud is determined in relation to documentation of work activity hours, Career Managers should follow the procedures in the next two slides.

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Use the form at the following link to report the information to the AWI: http://www.floridajobs.org/forms/inspec_gen/IncidentReport.dot

Complete the form as described in the Incident Report Procedures: http://www.floridajobs.org/forms/inspec_gen/IncRptngSys031307.pdf.

Send electronic copies of the forms to: [email protected].

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Written copies of the forms should be sent to: Office of Inspector General

Agency for Workforce Innovation

C/0 James F. Mathews

MSC #130, Caldwell Building

107 East Madison Street

Tallahassee, Florida 32399-4126 Send a copy of all correspondence to

[email protected].

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Benefits ExpireBenefits Expire

After 12 months, the benefits are no longer available.– Periodically remind

participants

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THE ENDTHE END

Please direct questions to Delores Coachman at (850) 245-7411 or [email protected].

An equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. All voice telephone numbers on this document may be reached by persons using TTY/TDD equipment via the Florida Relay Service at 711.

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