Comprehensive information regarding CalFresh Categorical Eligibility (“MCE”). Culminating several other “Cat El” changes, with the passage of SB 855 effective July 1, 2014, all households with gross income at or below 200 percent of the FPL, must be conferred MCE status if the file documents their receipt of the TANF service (PUB 275). All counties must immediately implement a 200 percent FPL gross income level for MCE for all Non-Assistance (NACF) households. Until automation is programmed, this must be done manually.
For any case pending as of July 1, 2014, if automation indicates ineligibility for a non-aged/disabled CalFresh applicant household because of the 130 percent FPL gross income limit, the county must pull the case and manually verify whether eligibility under MCE status exists because of gross income at or under 200 percent FPL. Additionally, counties must check any applications that were denied for exceeding gross income since July 1, 2014, as well as applications denied in June where the 30 day processing would have gone into July. Corrective action must be taken on any cases that would have been eligible under the MCE 200 percent FPL gross income test. [Download]