The California Department of Social Services and the California Department of Health Care Services are providing guidance about the Release of Information feature in BenefitsCal and the ABCDM 229 release form. This guidance is for planning and will be implemented when the functionality is programmed in BenefitsCal and CalSAWS.
Primary applicants and designated signers can release information to Community Based Organizations (CBOs) in BenefitsCal using the ABCDM 229. The ABCDM 229 will be integrated into BenefitsCal. The ABCDM 229 is the only acceptable form to release information to a CBO in BenefitsCal.
For a CBO to access case information in BenefitsCal, they must have a BenefitsCal account approved by a county. If a CBO is approved by a county, they can access BenefitsCal to assist customers in any county.
If a release of information is provided outside of BenefitsCal, the released information will not be accessible within BenefitsCal.
A new or second ABCDM 229 is needed to release information to more than one CBO or if the primary applicant moves to another county and wants to retain the CBO’s access to information in the new county.
With the ABCDM 229, the CBO can access Notices of Action, verification requests, benefit awards, program status, termination reasons, and upcoming SAR 7 and renewal/redetermination due dates, for CalFresh, MediCal and CalWORKs. CBOs can also access 60 days of case history for benefit awards, program status, termination reasons, and upcoming SAR 7 and renewal/redetermination due dates only.
A valid ABCDM 229 must contain all required information and be signed by the primary applicant or designed signer. Individuals with legal documentation of authority to act on behalf of the customer such as power of attorney, guardian, or conservator, can sign the ABCDM 229. An Authorized Representative cannot sign the ABCDM 229 in BenefitsCal. Authorized Representatives must complete and submit the paper version of the ABCDM 229.
ABCDM 229 forms that are completed electronically in BenefitsCal must be signed electronically in BenefitsCal. A CBO can upload the signed ABCDM 229 to BenefitsCal using the document upload functionality.
The paper ABCDM 229 form can be submitted electronically using the BenefitsCal document upload feature, in-person at the welfare department office, my mail, by fax, or by other acceptable methods. The county must manually upload any paper ABCDM to BenefitsCal.
When an ABCDM 229 is submitted, BenefitsCal will show the status of the release of information as pending (meaning the county is doing a manual review), reviewed (meaning the county determined it cannot be approved), approved, revoked, or expired.
When a release of information is approved, it remains in effect until it expires or is revoked. The release of information automatically expires in one year. Only the primary applicant can revoke a release of information. CBOs cannot revoke a release of information.
The ABCDM 229 does not replace existing processes for release of information outside of BenefitsCal.
Effective May 12, 2023, counties cannot accept the ABCDM 228 form for Medi-Cal. Counties should use the DHCS 6236 for Medi-Cal case information. The ABCDM 228 can be used to release information for CalFresh and CalWORKs. (ACL 24-91, December 24, 2024.)