TO:	Commissioners; FS Directors; TA Directors; WMS Coordinators

FROM:	Patricia A. Stevens, Deputy Commissioner

SUBJECT:	NYSNIP- New York State Nutrition Improvement Project - Conference Call Schedule

EFFECTIVE DATE:	Immediately

CONTACT PERSON:	Eastern Regional Team @ 518-473-1469

This is to notify local districts about the New York State Nutrition Improvement Project (NYSNIP) conference calls schedule.  NYSNIP is a project to increase Food Stamp Program participation, simplify program administration and improve payment accuracy by automated Food Stamp case openings for certain recipients (SSI Code A/A individuals living in the community) of Supplemental Security Income (SSI). In October, an automated conversion of current project-eligible FS-SSI cases into the special project will be done for Upstate districts.  In addition to the conversion, automated Food Stamp case openings for new project eligible SSI recipients will begin.  The first month for which project-level benefits will be issued is November.  Future phases will include automated Food Stamp case openings for current SSI recipients not in receipt of Food Stamp benefits, and the automated opening of cases for new, project-eligible SSI recipients via a Combined Application Process with the Social Security Administration. SSI live-alone households eligible for the project will be certified for a standard allotment amount, based on shelter and utility costs, and the presence of income in the case in addition to SSI income.  A future ABEL transmittal is forthcoming explaining systems implications.  Staff from the Division of Temporary Assistance Eastern Regional Team, have planned conference calls for local districts.  The calls will be held for three days: Friday September 19, 2003, Monday September 22, 2003 and Tuesday, September 23, 2003.

The purpose of these calls is to offer a forum in which to introduce NYSNIP and to discuss and resolve related issues and questions.  Our experience using conference calls for the 60-month time limit and with Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) implementation and TBA has proved to be extremely helpful in resolving implementation problems and answering questions.  

Districts are invited to take part in one conference call lasting about one hour.  Below is the schedule for each district’s assigned days and times. 

We invite as many of your staff to participate in these conference calls, as you deem appropriate.  Due to the number of potential participants in each call, however, and to efficiently administer these calls, we ask that you appoint a spokesperson to coordinate your district’s questions.  In addition, if your district has more than one site, we ask that these calls be coordinated at one of your sites.

If your district would like to participate in the conference call, you may do so by calling 1-888-422-7128 and using the Pass Code 829488.  The operator will prompt the caller to enter the Pass Code followed by the # sign for access to the conference call.

In the event that your district does not wish to participate on a given day, but you have questions or problems, you may contact the Eastern Regional Team at 518-473-1469.

NYSNIP Conference Call Schedule

Friday September 19, 2003

Group One (10:00-11:00): Oneida, Chautauqua, Broome, Niagara, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Ulster, Rockland, Jefferson, St. Lawrence (10 counties)

Group Two (2:00-3:00): Hamilton, Lewis, Otsego, Wyoming, Schoharie, Putnam, Yates, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne (11 counties)

Monday September 22, 2003

Group Three (10:00-11:00): Franklin, Clinton, Essex, Warren, Washington, Livingston Cattaraugus, Orleans, Herkimer, Tioga (10 counties) 

Group Four (2:00-3:00): Ontario, Chemung, Allegany, Cortland, Cayuga, Delaware, Dutchess, Greene, Fulton (9 counties)

Tuesday September 23, 2003

Group Five (10:00-11:00): Monroe, Erie, Westchester, Suffolk, Nassau, Onondaga, Albany, Orange, (8 counties)

Group Six (2:00-3:00): Genesee, Sullivan, Chenango, Tompkins, Oswego, Madison, Saratoga, Montgomery, Columbia (9 counties)

Conference Call Phone Number 1-888-422-7128 (Pass Code 829488)