NA Mid Approval Contact (MAC)
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This section includes NA Mid Approval Contact (MAC) information for NA budgetary units assigned an approval period of 12, 24, or 36 months.
Policy
Simplified reporting NA budgetary units assigned to 12, 24, or 36-month approval periods are required to report all of the following changes midway through the approval period by completing a Mid Approval Contact (MAC):
●Residential address and the associated change in shelter cost.
●Anyone moving in or out of the budgetary unit.
●Source of income for any participant of the budgetary unit.
●A $125 or more reduction or increase in gross income.
●Court ordered child or medical support the participant is paying.
●Lottery or gambling winnings from a single game that meets or exceeds the winnings reporting amount. For the current amount, see Winnings Reporting Amount.
●Decrease of work hours below 80 per month for any adult participant aged 18 through 52. (See ABAWD Eligibility and Requirements for more information)
NOTE The ABAWD question is included with the Mid Approval Contact Form (X027) notice when a budgetary unit includes a participant meeting an ABAWD work requirement.
See Simplified Reporting for more information on what changes a participant is required to report outside of the MAC process.
The MAC process begins with one of the following:
●Month 5 for 12-month approval periods. (See Example 1)
●Month 11 for 24-month approval periods. (See Example 2)
●Month 17 for 36-month approval periods. (See Example 3)
The participant can respond to the MAC notice using any of the following:
●The MyFamilyBenefits (MFB) website at https://myfamilybenefits.azdes.gov/.
●Interactive Voice Response (IVR MAC).
NOTE When the participant answers Yes to one or more questions, the IVR MAC routes the caller to speak with an FAA staff member. The Customer Care Center is available Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (excluding state holidays).
●Mid Approval Contact Form (F027 or X027) notice.
●OnBase Mid Approval Review Unity Form.
NOTE Completion of a Unity form is done with the assistance of FAA staff. To complete and sign a Unity form, contact FAA in one of the following ways:
●Telephone. (See Customer Care Center for contact information and hours.)
●In person at any FAA office. (See the DES Office Locator webpage at https://des.az.gov/find-your-local-office and click ‘Find a DES Office’ to locate the nearest FAA office.)
●Nutrition Assistance (NA) Mid Approval Contact (FAA-1108A) form
NOTE The FAA-1108A form should be used for in-person contact and when the OnBase Mid Approval Review Unity Form is unavailable.
●An official application when all required information is completed, and the document is signed.
NOTE An official application can be used to respond to the MAC when all required information is completed and the document is signed. A completed application meets the MAC requirements.
A completed MAC includes all of the following:
●Name of the participant
●Responses to all the questions
●Signature of the Primary Informant PI(g) or their Authorized Representative
The PI or Authorized Representative is required to complete and return the MAC form and provide all verification, when requested, to continue receiving benefits.
The MAC notice informs the participant of all the following:
●The requirement to complete the MAC form.
●The due date to return the completed and signed form.
●The requirement to answer all the questions on the form.
●The consequences of failure to complete and return the form.
●The requirement to complete the appropriate section within the form when any question is answered with a Yes.
●The requirement to sign the certification section attesting to the truthfulness of all the information being provided, and the understanding that reported changes may cause a decrease or closure of benefits.
●Options for how to return the form.
NA Mid Approval Contact Process
When all the MAC questions are answered with a No and a signature is provided, no further action is needed from FAA.
Budgetary units with a 12-month approval period, are sent the initial MAC notice on the first workday of the fifth month.
Budgetary units with a 24-month approval period, are sent the initial MAC notice on the first workday of the 11th month.
Budgetary units with a 36-month approval period, are sent the initial MAC notice on the second workday of the 17th month.
When the participant fails to provide a completed MAC by the due date, a second notice is generated and mailed, according to all of the following:
●Generated on the 23rd day and mailed between the 25th and 28th day of the fifth month (for 12-month approvals)
●Generated on the 23rd day and mailed between the 25th and 28th day of the 11th month (for 24-month approvals)
●Generated on the 23rd day and mailed between the 25th and 28th day of the 17th month (for 36-month approvals)
The second notice informs the participant that no response was received, or the MAC was incomplete. This gives the participant another 10-calendar day opportunity to provide a completed MAC.
When the participant does not respond to the second notice, FAA sends a third notice notifying the budgetary unit that NA benefits are stopped and the effective month benefits stopped, allowing for adequate notice. An adequate notice is a notice of action that is sent to the budgetary unit before benefits are affected. The notice is mailed before the effective date of the action.
When the benefits are stopped due to not providing all the required verification, benefits can be reopened without a new application when all of the following apply:
●The budgetary unit provides the requested information within 30 calendar days of the effective date benefits were stopped.
●The budgetary unit has a minimum of 30 calendar days left in their approval period.
MAC Compliance - A Change is Reported
When a completed MAC is received, and one or more of the questions are answered with a Yes, additional action is needed from FAA based on the reported change. Verification may need to be requested. The change is affected for all open programs.
Verification
The participant has the primary responsibility for providing verification. (See Participant Responsibilities – Providing Verification for additional policy.)
When no changes are reported, the following completed and signed Mid Approval Contact (MAC) are the only verification needed:
●MyFamilyBenefits
●OnBase Unity Form
●Interactive Voice Recognition (IVR) Voice or Phone keypad
●The MAC notice sent to the participant
●FAA-1108A form (for in-person contact only)
NOTE The MAC must have a signature and all questions answered to be considered a completed form.
When a change is reported, additional verification may be needed. Required verification depends on what change is reported.
Examples
1) Maria’s NA benefits are approved for the months of 01/2019-12/2019.
Since Maria’s budgetary unit is assigned a 12-month approval period, the budgetary unit is required to complete a Mid Approval Contact (MAC) in 05/2019 or 06/2019.
2) Maria’s NA benefits are approved for the months of 01/2019-12/2020.
Since Maria’s budgetary unit is assigned a 24-month approval period, the budgetary unit is required to complete a Mid Approval Contact (MAC) in 11/2019 or 12/2019.
3) Maria’s NA benefits are approved for the months of 01/2019-12/2021.
Since Maria’s budgetary unit is assigned a 36-month approval period, the budgetary unit is required to complete a Mid Approval Contact (MAC) in 05/2020 or 06/2020.
Legal Authorities
2150063 – AZ Reinstatement Waiver Extension
7 CFR 273.12(a)(1)(i)(D)
7 CFR 273.12(a)(5)(ii)(B)
7 CFR 273.12(a)(5)(ii)(B)(1 – 4)
7 CFR 273.12(a)(5)(ii)(C)
7 CFR 273.12(a)(5)(iii)
7 CFR 273.12(a)(5)(iii)(B)
7 CFR 273.12(a)(5)(iii)(D)
7 CFR 273.12(a)(5)(iii)(E)
7 CFR 273.12(a)(5)(iii)(G)(1 – 3)
7 CFR 273.12(a)(5)(iv)
7 CFR 273.12(a)(5)(v)
7 CFR 273.12(a)(5)(vi)
last revised 09/16/2024