HOW TO GET EXTENDED TEXT IN IMS

Gerald Lawrence

Gerald: Hello everyone.

One of the things that AFS workers learn very well is how to use the FACS system. They learn this at New Worker Academy. However, IMS is a more code-driven version of the same information that exists in FACS. New workers - and sometimes existing workers - find it very difficult to learn the codes or they see new codes that they are unfamiliar with.There is a way in IMS to get extended text so that you can actually see what those codes mean.

For example, let's look at EF on this case. F219 shows a code of SS. If I did not know what SS meant, I can cursor to the bottom of the screen where there is a NEXT prompt and type "M PSBLF219". The M is the transaction for "extended text" and that will not change. There is a space, then PSBL stands for "PS2 Block", and "F219" is the PS-2 block that I need information on. The only space is between M and the PSBLF219. When I hit the ENTER button, I can see very easily that "SS" stands for "SSI RECORD SHOWS CITIZENSHIP". 

Let's look at another one. The living arrangement, block F51, shows as an "RH". So we would type at the next prompt "M PSBLF51". RH shows to be a "RELATIVE'S HOME", so we know the client is living with family.

Just as there is extended text for every PS-2 block, there is also extended text for all the other IMS transactions that exist. For example, let's look at the "BN" transaction on this case. This shows all the benefits that have existed on this case. Let's say that I don't know what the "Z" means under the S/I Category. I can type on the NEXT prompt "M BN" and hit ENTER. BN because that is the name of the transaction that I am using.

A lot of the transactions have multiple screens so you have to keep hitting ENTER until you find what you are looking for. I don't see the "Z" on page 1, so I hit "enter." I don't see the "Z" on page 2, "enter." On the third page I do see "Z" standing for "EBT ISSUE SENT TO BANK, FUNDS NOT AVAILABLE".

This is going to allow workers who receive a lot of calls from clients, that they don't always have time to open up in FACS, this will allow them to be able to quickly use IMS to answer questions for clients and do a more efficient job of managing their own time.

I hope this has been helpful! Thank you.