Parameters
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Parameters

Revised October 28, 2007

Purpose:

Key Points of Parameters

(FAMN) - Eligibility Parameters Submenu

(FBMN) - Location Parameters Submenu

(FEMN) - Messages and Codes Submenu

(FCMN) - Other Parameters Submenu 1

(FDMN) - Other Parameters Submenu 2

Parameters in aces.online

What parameters can I view in aces.online?

How to I access Parameter pages in aces.online?

 

Key Points of Parameters

  • Much of ACES system processing is parameter driven. Parameters are the variables that control the way ACES calculates benefit amounts, determines how caseloads are assigned, prints local office name, address, user name and phone number on letter, etc.
  • Most inquiry users have access to inquire on the parameters.
  • Update and maintenance of the parameters is done by designated ACES staff.
  • This manual material will only contain instructions for inquiring on parameters.
  • For questions concerning information in these parameters contact ITD Customer Support at 360-664-4560.
 

(FAMN) Eligibility Parameters Submenu

  • Eligibility parameters are the standards and limits set for each assistance program.

  • ACES uses eligibility parameters to determine eligibility and benefit level.

  • Each of the parameters has an effective date. This ensures that regardless of benefit month the correct amounts will be used in calculating benefits.

    • Constants are individual values.

    • Tables specify a range of values.

    • ACES maintains two sets of Eligibility Parameters: Regular (used for online and overnight eligibility determination) and Mass Modification.

To view the eligibility parameters:

  1. Enter Option [F], Parameters in the Selection field on the (WMEN). 

  2. <TRANSMIT> and ACES displays the (FMEN).

  3. Enter Option [A], Eligibility Parameters in the Selection field on the (FMEN).

  4. <TRANSMIT> and ACES displays the (FAMN) screen with inquiry and update options for the following parameters:

    1. FS Constants and Tables

    2. Cash / Medical Assistance Constants and Tables

    3. MM CA - MA Constants and Tables

    4. MM FS Constants and Tables

  5. For purposes of this submenu:

    1. Constants are those standards that do not change based on number of persons in the assistance unit.  For example, a constant for food assistance and TANF is the resource limit.

    2. Tables are standards that vary based on the number of people in the assistance unit.  For example, A standard on the food stamp table is the Standard Utility Allowance (SUA ) which is based on the number of people in the AU.

  6. Each of the parameters has an effective date. This ensures that regardless of benefit month the correct amounts will be used in calculating benefits.

  7. Enter the [letter corresponding to the parameter you want to view] in the Selection  field.


NOTE: The only selections that ACES users can view on (FAMN) are Inquiry options only.  The other selections on this screen cannot be viewed or updated except by designated ACES staff.

  1. <TRANSMIT> and the(PHIS) screen displays.

  2. Determine the benefit date you want to view.

  3. Enter [the two-digit number that is directly to the left of the appropriate date] in the Selection field.

  4. <TRANSMIT> and the next screen that displays will vary based on which parameter you selected to view.

  5. Press <F12> to go back to the (PHIS).

  6. To view another eligibility parameter screen repeat the above steps.

  7. When done press <F3> to cancel back to the (FMEN).
     

(FBMN) - Location Parameters Submenu

  • Location parameters contain information about regions, CSOs, and units within each CSO such as CSO physical address, mailing address, phone number, unit, etc.

  • Unit information defines how each unit within a CSO is structured which enables user IDs and unit types to be assigned to ACES users.

  • Regular users have inquiry only access to this information.

To inquire on information in the location parameters:

  1. Enter Option [F], Parameters in the Selection field on the (WMEN).

  2. <TRANSMIT> and ACES displays the (FMEN).

  3. Enter Option [B], Location Parameters in the Selection field on the (FMEN).

  4. <TRANSMIT> and ACES displays the (FBMN), with inquiry and update options for the following types of Location Parameters:

    1. Region

    2. CSO

    3. Unit

    4. County

    5. High Loss Zip Codes

    6. Work Exempt 

    7. EBT Rollout

  5. Enter the [letter corresponding to the location parameter you want to view] in the Selection field at the top of the screen.

  6. To view:

    1. Region information, enter the [region number] in the Region field.

    2. CSO information, enter the [CSO number] in the CSO field.

    3. Unit information, enter the [CSO number, unit type, and unit number] in the appropriate fields.

    4. A regular unit type and number enter the following information:

      1. Selection = [E]

      2. CSO = [three (3) digit CSO number]

      3. Unit Type = [appropriate unit type (example 08, 09, 10)]

      4. Unit Number = [appropriate unit number within the CSO]. This information can be viewed on the (LMEN), Option [H], User ID Inquiry, and enter the [CSO number].

  7. In addition to the regular unit types there are two special unit types in ACES. Unit types 14 and 16 are designated as the users that get alerts related to SSI new openings and applications for SSI benefits.

    1. Unit Type 14 gets Alerts 189, 197, and 198.  See Alerts.

    2. To find out who the designated unit types 14 and 16 are for a particular office enter the following information on the (FBMN):

      1. Selection = [E]

      2. CSO = [three (3) digit CSO number]

      3. Unit Type = [14] or [16].

      4. Unit Number = [01 only].

    3. The user ID of the person that gets the alerts displays here. This is the only place this information displays. These users do not display on the (LMEN) as part of the CSO organization structure like other unit types.

    4. County information, enter the [county number] in the County field.

  8. <TRANSMIT> and the next screen that displays will vary based on which parameter you selected to view.

  9. Press <F12> to go back to the (FBMN).

  10. To view another location parameter, repeat the above steps.

  11. When done press <F3> to cancel back to the (FMEN).
     

(FEMN) Messages and Codes Submenu

  • The (FEMN) Messages and Codes Submenu is a second level parameter submenu that allows the user to access screens used in maintaining error messages, alerts processing codes, reason codes and related text, and reason WAC codes.

  • Regular users have inquiry only access to this information.

  • Only designated ACES staff can update this parameter information.

To inquire on messages, alerts, and edits through the (FEMN):

  1. Enter Option [F], Parameters in the Selection field on the (WMEN).

  2. <TRANSMIT> and the (FMEN) displays.

  3. Enter Option [E], Messages and Codes in the Selection field on the (FMEN).

  4. <TRANSMIT> and the (FEMN) displays with inquiry and update options for the following types of Message and Codes:

    1. Alerts

    2. Online Edit

    3. Batch Edit

    4. Online Exception

    5. Batch Exception

    6. Unit Alerts

  5. Enter the [letter corresponding to the parameter you want to view] in the Selection field, and mandatory information in the other required input fields.

  6. <TRANSMIT> and the next screen that displays will vary based on which parameter was selected to view.

  7. To view another location parameter, press <F3> to cancel back to the(FEMN) and repeat the above steps.

  8. When done press <F3> to cancel back to the (FMEN).
     

(FCMN) Other Parameters Submenu 1

  • The (FCMN) provides the User with access to the Update or Inquiry functions for Holiday Dates, ID Initialization, SOP, Scheduling Parameters, Miscellaneous Parameters, and Case Assignment.

  • Regular users have inquiry only access to this information.

  • Only designated ACES staff can update this parameter information.

To inquire on information in the (FCMN):

  1. Enter Option [F], Parameters, in the Selection field on the (WMEN).

  2. <TRANSMIT> and ACES displays the (FMEN).

  3. Enter Option [C], Other Parameters 1 in the Selection field on the (FMEN).

  4. <TRANSMIT> and ACES displays the (FCMN), with inquiry and update options for the following types of function:

    1. Holiday Dates

    2. ID Initialization

    3. SOP

    4. Scheduling Parameters

    5. Miscellaneous Parameters

    6. Case Assignment

    7. Federal Holiday Dates

  5. Enter the [letter corresponding to the parameter you want to view] in the Selection field at the top of the screen.

  6. <TRANSMIT> and the next screen that displays will vary based on which parameter you selected to view.

  7. To view information on the scheduling parameters enter the [number of the CSO] in the CSO field.

    1. Scheduling parameters is where information is entered for how eligibility interviews are scheduled in ACES.

    2. Information entered here is:

      • Length of the review appointment

      • Number of reviews to be scheduled each day

      • Start and end time for reviews.

    3. Based on this and caseload information ACES auto-schedules review appointments.

    4. The scheduling information entered here applies to all financial maintenance units in the CSO.

    5. Different units in the CSO cannot have different review scheduling parameters.

  8. Press <F12> or <F3> to go back to the (FMEN).

  9. To view another parameter, repeat the above steps.
     

(FDMN) Other Parameters Submenu 2

  • Parameters in (FDMN) are used to set data used in internal ACES processing.

  • Inquiry of this information is allowed by regular users.

  • Only designated ACES staff can update this parameter information.

  • Provides information to ACES regarding various types of parameters including issuance and supervisor review and EBT transaction control numbers.
     

Parameters in Aces.Online

What parameters can I view in aces.online?

You can view the following parameters in aces.online:

  • ZIP Codes associated to a CSO

  • Unit information within a CSO

  • CSO information within the State

  • Region information for the State

  • Counties within the State

How do I access Parameter pages in aces.online?

To access the Parameter pages in aces.online, take the following steps:

  1. From the Welcome Back page, click the Parameters link in the Other Links section. The ACES Access > Parameters page displays.

  2. Click the link for the type of parameter you wish to view from the following options displayed on the Parameters page:

    • Regions – Takes you to the Regions page which displays a statewide list of each region number and name. Click any Region Number link to view the page for that region.

    • CSOs – Takes you to the CSO page which displays statewide list of each CSO number, name, and region. Click any CSO Number link to view that CSO’s page, which displays additional information about the CSO.

    • Units – Takes you to the Units page which displays a statewide list of each CSO, each unit type and unit number within that CSO, as well as which Region it is in. Click any Unit Number link to view the Unit page, which displays additional information about the unit.

    • Counties – Takes you to the Counties page which displays the county number and name for all Washington counties. Click any County Number link to view you to the page for that county.

    • Zip Codes – Takes you to the Zip Code page which displays a statewide list of Zip codes, the CSO the Zip belongs to, and which region it is in. Click any Zip Code link to view the page for that Zip code.

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Modification Date: October 28, 2007
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