Author: Stephen Goldberg

Questions and answers regarding OCAT

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CDSS has issued several questions and answers regarding the new Online CalWORKs Appraisal Tool (OCAT) (See ACL 15-43 for background about OCAT). Most importantly, the questions and answers state that an individual cannot be sanctioned for not answering particular OCAT questions. This should include questions about disability and domestic violence. An individual can be sanctioned for refusing to do the OCAT appraisal at all.

In addition, the questions and answers state that an OCAT appraisal can be done by telephone as a reasonable accommodation or when coming to the welfare department would interfere with work or class schedule. ACL 15-69 (9/17/15).

CalFresh student eligibility

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AB 1930 required CDSS to identify and verify participation in programs that are exempt from the rule that students are generally ineligible for CalFresh. CDSS has identified that students enrolled in either a Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program or Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) program are eligible for CalFresh. CDSS states it is developing a form to verify enrollment in these programs and is continuing to work on identifying other educational programs that are exempt from the CalFresh student rules. ACL 15-70 (9/17/15).

Drought relief programs

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CDSS has issued information about drought relief programs. One such program is the Drought Food Assistance Program that provides low income individuals and families with three to five days of food if they live in one of 29 designated counties and are unemployed or underemployed as a result of the drought. Households self-certify and agree that the food received is for personal home use only. The food boxes are distributed by local food banks. Another program is the Drought Water Assistance Program to assist low income households with residential water utility bills in 10 counties. CDSS also distributed a brochure about drought relief programs. ACIN I-62-15 (7/22/15).

CalWORKs instructions on home county rules

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CDSS has clarified that residence in California, but not in a particular county, is required for CalWORKs eligibility. Although recipients are required to report address changes within 10 days, failure to report an address change, by itself, is not a basis for adverse action against the recipient. For example, not reporting moving from a Region 1 (higher grant) county to a Region 2 (lower grant) county would cause an overpayment because of the difference in the grant level, but not because of the failure to report.  In addition, a recipient can temporarily reside in another county for up to four months without changing their home county as long as they intend to return. CDSS provided five examples to illustrate the CalWORKs home county rules. ACIN I-63-15 (7/27/15).

Questions and answers regarding Family Stabilization Program

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CDSS has issued 15 questions and answers about the Family Stabilization Program (FSP). FSP provides intensive case management services to CalWORKs Welfare-to-Work (WTW) participants who are experiencing an identified situation or crises. The program is described in ACL 14-12 . Among other items, the questions and answers clarify that FSP services are available to adults who are exempt from WTW participation, and adults in the family who are not included in the assistance unit if there is at least one mandatory WTW participant in the family.

Regarding FSP plans, the questions and answers clarify that a client in sanction status can use an FSP plan to cure their sanction, and each adult in a household must have a separate FSP plan. CDSS also clarified that FSP is not mandatory. In addition, CDSS states that if a client has a crisis outside of the scope of a county’s FSP plan, the county should still assess such clients for WTW exemption and provide services for removal of barriers to WTW participation outside of the FSP program. ACIN I-64-15 (7/29/15)

CalWORKs and CalFresh verification requests

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In response to a request submitted by Legal Services of Northern California in 2009, CDSS has reiterated that counties must assist clients in obtaining information, including assistance in obtaining a Social Security Number and card. CDSS stated that if an application is unable to obtain a Social Security Number and card within 30 days of application, CDSS must evaluate the circumstances for good cause. In addition, CDSS stated that counties cannot require a printout from the Social Security Administration as proof of an applicant’s Social Security Number

CDSS also stated that the CW2200 Request for Verification form is a mandated form and must be used by counties. The CW2200 lists information that an applicant must provide and lists types of proof that an applicant can submit to verify particular information. The CW2200 also states that clients can request help from the county in obtaining verification and that counties can pay costs of obtaining verification when necessary. ACIN I-24-15 (4/13/15) and I-24-15E (5/5/15)