ABOUT US

Bureau of Economic Security

Vision

To identify and meet client needs in a timely and accurate manner by determining eligibility, providing good customer service, and achieving required outcomes uniformly across all centers.

Organizational Chart

Certification Section:

• Ensures correct and effective implementation of program policies and procedures for all programs.  Ensures timely and accurate eligibility determination and benefits issuance.
• Screens all applications.  Determine eligibility and need for expedited services.
• Conducts interviews for new, re-opened and renewal cases and receive document to substantiate eligibility and benefit level.
• Assists and arranges interviews for households due for re-certification.  Provide program information and appropriate forms/materials to applicants, recipients or visitors.

Program Management Section

• Ensures effective and efficient administration of the Food Stamp and Public Assistance Programs through program monitoring and evaluation activities.
• Develops policies and procedures for Food Stamp and Public Assistance to meet local and federal rules and regulations.
• Prepares, maintains and updates operational program manuals to ensure compliance with local and federal rules and regulations.
• Develops plans of operations, State Plan amendments, and operational manuals in meeting the objectives of the program.

Administrative Support and Program Benefits Issuance

• Ensures the timely processing of Food Stamp Over-the-Counter (OTC) Requests and Cash Assistance, Direct Payments as submitted by Certification Staff.
• Coordinates the printing and mailing of all notices to clients regarding renewal appointments.
• Ensures that funds for cash benefits are certified by the DPHSS ASO and Director.
• Issues EBT Quest cards to new and ongoing Food Stamp and Public Assistance recipients and statuses EBT cards reported lost or stolen by clients.

The Bureau of Economic Security determines eligibility for the following programs:

Medicaid

Medicaid is a medical insurance program for Eligible Households. Households must meet certain tests, including resource and income tests:

✓ Income
✓ Deductions
✓ Immigrant Eligibility

Who is Eligible?

A: Elderly (65+ yrs., Blind, Families w/ Dependent Children up to 20 yrs. old, Permanently and Totally Disabled Individual, and Adults 21-64yrs old.

Medically Indigent Program (MIP)

The Medically Indigent Program (MIP) was established to provide financial assistance with health care costs to individuals who meet necessary income, resource, and residency requirements.

Who is Eligible?

✓ A resident of Guam who has resided no less than six (6) months
✓ Not eligible for Medicaid or Medicare coverage
   *Some exemptions exists for clients to be eligible for both programs
✓ A child in foster care; age 18 years and below
✓ Eligible to receive temporary emergency medical as prescribed in Section 2905.3 of P.L. 17-83

Cash Assistance Program

Composed of the following programs:

• • Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
    • To needy dependent children and the parents or relatives with whom they are living.

Must be deprived of support and care by reasons of:

– Continued absence of one or both parents

– Medical incapacity of one or both parents

– Unemployed parents

– Death of one or both parents

• • Aid to the Permanently & Totally Disabled (APTD)
    • To be eligible, a person’s disability or combination of disabilities shall be permanent and total to substantially prevent a person from engaging in gainful employment. Disability must be determined and approved by the APTD Review Board.
  • Old Age Assistance (OAA)
    • Must be a U. S. citizen or a qualified alien (with certain conditions) 65 years old or older and has to comply with the resource requirement.
  • Aid to the Blind (AB)
    • Must be a U. S. citizen or a qualified alien (with certain conditions) 18 years old or older and has to comply with the resource requirement.
  • General Assistance (GA)
    • To be eligible, an individual must not have met the criteria for other public assistance programs. (i.e., OAA, AB, APTD, & TANF)

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

Established by the Food & Nutrition Act of 2008, SNAP (formerly known as Food Stamps) is a program that provides nutrition assistance to eligible, low income individuals and families.

Program Tests:

1. Income
2. Deductions
3. Immigrant Eligibility