The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued guidance regarding delayed processing of CalFresh annual recertifications. An application for recertification is considered delayed if the recertification process is not completed by the end of the final month of the certification period.
The county should consider an application for recertification timely if it was submitted before the 15th day of the final month of the certification period.
If a household files a timely application for recertification but recertification is not completed within the final month of the certification period because of county-caused delay, the county must continue to process the case and provide a full month of benefits for the first month after the new certification period as soon as administratively possible.
If a household files an application before the end of the certification period but the recertification process cannot be completed within the final month of certification period because of a client-caused delay, the county shall deny the application at the end of the period. This applies whether the application for recertification was timely or untimely filed. After the county denies the application, the household has up to 30 days after the end of the certification period to complete the recertification process. If the household takes the required action within 30 days after the end of the certification period, the county shall withdraw the denial and provide prorated benefits retroactive to the date the client took the required action and completed the recertification process.
If the household files an application for recertification within 30 days following the last month of the certification period, benefits must be prorated based on when the application for recertification is received. If the application is then delayed beyond what would be the first month of the new certification period because of fault of the county, that delay is considered county-caused delay.
If an application for recertification is received more than 30 days following the end of the last month of the certification period, delayed processing is not permitted. However, the application for recertification shall be considered a new application for CalFresh and the county cannot require the client to submit an additional new application.
When the county receives an incomplete application for recertification, the county must send a denial notice. The Notice of Expiration of Certification form does not satisfy the requirement for denying an application for recertification.
When a household misses their recertification interview appointment, the county sends the household a notice of missed interview. The Notice of Missed Interview is dated to reflect the end of the certification period, even when the certification end date falls on a weekend or holiday.
The Manual of Policy and Procedure will be updated as soon as administratively possible to reflect this guidance. In the interim, counties must comply with the guidance in this letter. (ACL 19-10, February 3, 2019.)