LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 82ND LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION May 18, 2011 TO: Honorable Jane Nelson, Chair, Senate Committee on Health & Human Services FROM: John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:HB2819 by King, Susan (Relating to the operation and efficiency of the eligibility determination process for supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits.), As Engrossed No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. The bill would require the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to develop procedures for local eligibility determination offices where clients apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits (food stamps) that ensure the offices provide clear guidance on eligibility requirements. The bill would direct HHSC to consider the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of providing outreach regarding forms and information necessary for submission of an application in advance of an interview. The bill would require HHSC to determine the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of using scanning technology to create electronic case files for SNAP cases and of implementing a risk scoring program for SNAP applications. The bill would require HHSC to improve management of SNAP eligibility determination staff through various practices and reviews, to identify eligibility determination system performance indicators, and to collect performance indicator data and provide reports. The bill would take effect September 1, 2011.HHSC has implemented, or is currently implementing, many of the requirements of the bill. HHSC is currently researching the use of alternative ways to improve client communication and developing a non-automated case assessment program for targeted interviewing in order to consider the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of risk scoring. Based on HHSC analysis, the agency would implement the risk-scoring or the advanced contact of applicants only if any projected costs would be offset by expected workload savings. As such, it is assumed that duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be accomplished by utilizing existing resources. Local Government Impact No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Source Agencies:529 Health and Human Services Commission LBB Staff: JOB, CL, MB, ES, VJC
LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE, 82ND LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
May 18, 2011
TO: Honorable Jane Nelson, Chair, Senate Committee on Health & Human Services FROM: John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:HB2819 by King, Susan (Relating to the operation and efficiency of the eligibility determination process for supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits.), As Engrossed
TO: Honorable Jane Nelson, Chair, Senate Committee on Health & Human Services
FROM: John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE: HB2819 by King, Susan (Relating to the operation and efficiency of the eligibility determination process for supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits.), As Engrossed
Honorable Jane Nelson, Chair, Senate Committee on Health & Human Services
Honorable Jane Nelson, Chair, Senate Committee on Health & Human Services
John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
HB2819 by King, Susan (Relating to the operation and efficiency of the eligibility determination process for supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits.), As Engrossed
HB2819 by King, Susan (Relating to the operation and efficiency of the eligibility determination process for supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits.), As Engrossed
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would require the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to develop procedures for local eligibility determination offices where clients apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits (food stamps) that ensure the offices provide clear guidance on eligibility requirements. The bill would direct HHSC to consider the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of providing outreach regarding forms and information necessary for submission of an application in advance of an interview. The bill would require HHSC to determine the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of using scanning technology to create electronic case files for SNAP cases and of implementing a risk scoring program for SNAP applications. The bill would require HHSC to improve management of SNAP eligibility determination staff through various practices and reviews, to identify eligibility determination system performance indicators, and to collect performance indicator data and provide reports. The bill would take effect September 1, 2011.HHSC has implemented, or is currently implementing, many of the requirements of the bill. HHSC is currently researching the use of alternative ways to improve client communication and developing a non-automated case assessment program for targeted interviewing in order to consider the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of risk scoring. Based on HHSC analysis, the agency would implement the risk-scoring or the advanced contact of applicants only if any projected costs would be offset by expected workload savings. As such, it is assumed that duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be accomplished by utilizing existing resources.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies: 529 Health and Human Services Commission
529 Health and Human Services Commission
LBB Staff: JOB, CL, MB, ES, VJC
JOB, CL, MB, ES, VJC