MANAGEMENT BULLETIN
Area Agency on Aging
Directors
Financial Program
Managers
SUBJECT: COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT (COLA) LETTER PROBLEM
Most of the ACES COLA letters generated this year have an error in the amount of income that is displayed as the client’s income. These are letters that were generated when ACES interfaced with Social Security Administration (SSA) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The interface updated client’s income and recomputed client participation for Nursing Home and COPES in-home and to update Total Payment for COPES residential services. The letters are dates 11/24/01 and are for changes to what clients pay for their care for benefit month January 2002.
The amount that is displayed as the client’s income is either considerably more or in some instances less than the client will actually receive in January 2002. For this reason, do not use the amount displayed on the letter for any purpose. Check other sources such as ACES, ACES Online, SOLQ, Bendex or SDX for accurate income information.
The other information that is displayed on the letter, such as deductions, room and board, participation and total payment are correct. ACES used the client’s correct income to calculate these amounts. Also amounts listed in ACES and ACES online are correct. Social services workers and case managers can use these amounts to update SSPS for January 2002 for clients that only have SSA and or SSI income. Financial staff will be generating letters for clients that have cost of living increases from other sources.
We know that clients and staff will be confused by these letters. When you get phone calls, please assure the caller that the amount we assigned for the client to pay is correct. ACES is working to correct this problem but will not be sending out all new letters at this time.
Inquires to: Guyce Lafavour ACES Field Representative
Home and Community Programs
(206) 341-7781
Penny Black, Director
Home and Community Services Division