California has been approved for three federal waivers to assist with the end of the federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.
California has a waiver for address changes that will be effective from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024. Under the waiver, if a county receives a verified change of address, but does not receive updated shelter cost information, the county will not change the household’s shelter cost. The county must send a notice encouraging the household to report any changes in shelter costs. The county must also ask about shelter cost at the household’s next recertification or periodic report. If the county believes the change of address information is questionable or unclear, the county must respond to the information as required in 7 C.F.R. 273.12(c)(3).
The waiver of the initial application and recertification interview is extended until March 31, 2024. As part of the waiver extension, starting April 1, 2023 or upon completion of automation, counties must send a written explanation of simplified reporting to all households; provide a verbal explanation of the work requirement if the county contacts the household or the household is subject to mandatory employment and training; send a written notice to all households subject to the general work requirements, the Able-Bodied Adults without Dependents work requirements, and mandatory employment and training; and screen all households for exemptions from work requirements and the Able-Bodied Adults without Dependents work requirements.
The waiver of the recording requirement for telephonic signatures for initial applications and recertifications is extended to March 31, 2024. (ACWDL, March 28, 2023.)