Who’s who in the zoo. Did you know there is an “employment, forms, and disaster” unit? The policy interpretations are still limited to counties, after review by the FRAT team (no keg party) for “statewideness.” [Download]
Summaries of select CalWORKs, CalFresh, Health and Housing Regulations
Author: Brian Lawlor
ACL 06-31 – Implementation of Food Stamp Simplification Options (August 16, 2006)
This letter explains the new Food Stamps changes, hitting the street 10/1/06. Changes include: (1) legally obligated child support payments will be an income exclusion rather than as an income deduction (so lowers income prior to gross income test); (2) exclusion of certain restricted accounts as a resource; (3) exclusion of certain types of income that are excluded for CalWORKs; (4) elimination of actual utility costs in lieu of a SUA, but instead there is no prorating of utilities for non-household members; (5) implementation of a Limited Utility Allowance (LUA) for households that do not qualify for the SUA, and, (6) allowance of a Telephone Utility Allowance (TUA) for households not qualified to receive a SUA or LUA.
The letter includes the proposed regulations. All changes will be treated as county-initiated mid-month change for quarterly reporters, except the restricted accounts, which must be reviewed prior to being excluded. [Download]
ACL 06-29 – Changes To In/Out Of Market Rates, 75/25 Rule, State Median Income (SMI) And Family Fee Schedule (August 8, 2006)
For those of you doing child care work, the new rates, income eligibility basis and family fee charges are out. [Download]
ACL 06-28 – Regional Market Rate (RMR) Ceilings For Child Care Providers (August 8, 2006)
For those of you doing child care work, the new rates, income eligibility basis and family fee charges are out. [Download]
ACL 06-25 – Immediate Implementation Of Homeless Assistance Changes In CalWORKs (August 1, 2006)
The following changes to the Homeless Assistance (HA) program are now effective as of July 12, 2006, and must be implemented immediately:
• The maximum daily rate for temporary HA increased from $40 to $65 per day for families of four or fewer and $15 per day for each additional family member up to a maximum of $125 daily.
• Homelessness criteria is expanded to include families who receive a notice to pay rent or quit.
• The rent threshold for Permanent Homeless Assistance is changed from 80 percent of the maximum aid payment level to 80 percent of the total monthly household income (TMHI).
• Permanent Homeless Assistance is available to pay up to two months of rent arrearages to prevent eviction.
Each month of the rent arrearage payment shall not exceed 80 percent of the TMHI.
All these terms are also defined in the letter, which also has an informing notices. [Download]
ACL 06-27 – CalWORKs Changes To Sanction Policies (July 25, 2006)
Durational sanctions have ended! Effective immediately, all adults on CalWORKs sanctions can cure the financial penalty without any specified minimum time limit. (In other words, the minimum 3 to 6 month sanction time no longer exists). The cure process for 1st sanctions, set out in ACL 05-39, will be process for all sanctioned adults now. Counties are to contact all those currently on 3-6 month sanctions to inform them of this, and invite them to contact a worker to cure now. The statute was effective June 12,2006; clients who immediately cure upon being informed of the end of durational sanctions who are not restored to that date should contact Dora or Nu at Western Center, 213-487-7211 x 2337 or 2629. [Download]