TA Drug Screening

 

FORMS:

IM-3TA Drug Temporary Assistance Drug Testing Applicant Notice
(incorporated into IM-1TA Application for Temporary Assistance Cash Benefits)

 

MEMOS:

IM#19, 02/20/2013: Temporary Assistance Drug Testing
IM#47, 05/13/2013: Temporary Assistance Drug Testing Applicant Notice (IM-3TADrug)

 

REQUIREMENT:

All applicants and participants for Temporary Assistance benefits who are head of household age eighteen and older must complete a screening for illegal use of a controlled substance.

 

Mandatory individuals are:

  • Those who apply on or after March 4, 2013
  • Age 18 or older on date of application
  • Head of household, including Needy NPCR

 

NOTE: Second parents and children are not mandatory.

 

TA applicants are screened in FAMIS during the TA application. Active TA recipients are screened by quarterly match with the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP). This match searches law enforcement records for individuals arrested for or convicted of misdemeanor or felony drug convictions in the prior 12 months (no earlier than the effective date of March 4, 2013).

 

Based on screening results, some applicants and participants are automatically referred for drug testing. Failure to complete the screening, comply with required testing, or complete required substance abuse treatment results in the individual being disqualified from TA for three years. Benefits for the remaining EU members must be made through a protective payee. The notice informing the payee of this disqualification includes form FA-602: Protective Payee for Temporary Assistance Benefits. If the payee fails to return this form and appoint a protective payee, initiate an adverse action to close the TA case for failure to cooperate.

 

PROCEDURE:

Applicants who complete Standardized Orientation and apply using IM-1TA are informed of this requirement. Use the Temporary Assistance Drug Testing Applicant Notice (IM-3TADrug) to inform other applicants of drug screening and testing requirements. Obtain those applicant’s signature, provide a copy of the notice and maintain the signed notice in the case file.

 

The TA Drug Screening (FMN0/TADRUG) screen occurs at the beginning of the Temporary Assistance application controlled flow. Applicants are asked how many times in the past year they have used illegal drugs or prescription medications for non-medical reasons.

 

The TA Drug Test Waiver (FMN4/DRTWAIV) screen displays next. Applicants are informed that some TA applicants are required to submit to drug testing, and offers the opportunity to waive the test and be referred to Department of Mental Health (DMH) for substance abuse treatment.

 

Referrals for drug testing are completed automatically by FAMIS. Referral information is available on the Select TA Drug Testing Referral (FMN2/SELDTREF) screen.

 

Refer to the Memo and IM Manual sections above for specific instructions.

 

FAMIS USER GUIDES:

TA Drug Testing Re-Referral Process
Updating the Drug Treatment Facility Screen