The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued clarification about the CalFresh shelter deduction and utility allowance for homeless households.
Households experiencing homelessness who do not receive free shelter for the entire month are eligible for the homeless shelter deduction. Households experiencing homelessness that incur, or reasonably expect to incur, shelter costs during a month are eligible for the homeless shelter deduction without verifying shelter costs. Households that get the homeless shelter deduction cannot get the utility allowance.
If actual verified costs homeless shelter costs are higher than the homeless shelter deduction, the actual cost may be used instead and the household can claim utility costs.
If a household experiencing homelessness is living in a vehicle, reasonably anticipated or recurring maintenance costs of the vehicle, including vehicle payments, and collision and comprehensive insurance premiums, are allowable shelter costs. Costs of overnight parking and camping fees are also valid shelter expenses. Expenses that occur less than monthly can be averaged over the period for which they are paid.
Costs of fuel to operate a vehicle are not allowable shelter or utility costs. However, the cost of gasoline for a generator, propane or firewood are allowable utility expenses. Liability and medical insurance premiums are not allowable shelter costs. The cost of ice for keeping food fresh is not an allowable deduction because ice is a food item that can be bought with CalFresh benefits.
Households experiencing homelessness that have utility costs but not shelter costs may claim a utility allowance.
Households are eligible for the Standard Utility Allowance if they have heating and cooling costs separate from their rent or mortgage.
A household that is not eligible for the Standard Utility Allowance but has expenses for at least two separate utilities is eligible for the Limited Utility Allowance.
A household that is not eligible for either the Standard Utility Allowance or the Limited Utility Allowance but incurs a telephone expense is eligible for the Telephone Utility Allowance.
A household that is eligible for the Homeless Shelter Deduction is not eligible for the $20.01 State Utility Assistance Subsidy. If a household would receive a higher benefit allotment with the Standard Utility Deduction than with the Homeless Shelter Deduction, the household is eligible for the State Utility Assistance Subsidy. (ACIN I-15-23, May 10, 2023.)