Author: Stephen Goldberg

BenefitsCal Release of Information form

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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.)

In-Person PIN changes

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To help combat electronic theft occurring because of fraudulent PIN changes, counties must now issue a new EBT card when there is an in-person PIN change request.  When an individual requests a change to their PIN in-person at a county welfare department office, the county must verify that identification and case information of the cardholder matches the information on the EBT card presented.  If the information matches, the county must issue a new card.

Counties must verify the cardholder’s identity by either 1) a photo ID, or 2) two points of personal identifying information from the case.  If the individual does not have proper identification or cannot verify any personally identifying information in their case, they must change the PIN by called the ARU, or changing the PIN in ebtEDGE.

If the last four digits of the physical EBT card do not match the last four digits on the terminal receipt, or the card details on the magnetic stripe do not match the information on the physical card, the county should refer to case to their Special Investigation Unit to investigate suspected fraud.  (ACL 24-92, December 18, 2024.)

Income Reporting Threshold for Fiscal Year 2025

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Effective October 1, 2024, a new CalWORKs Income Reporting Threshold (IRT) will be effective.  The new IRT amounts are in a chart attached to this ACL.  Income over the IRT amount must be reported mid-period, that is, when it occurs between semi-annual reports or annual recertifications.  Income that must be reported is the total combined earned and unearned income of the assistance unit.  The IRT reporting amount is 55% of the federal poverty level for a family of 3, plus the amount of income used most recently used to determine the assistance unit’s grant.  Income over the IRT must be reported within 10 days of receipt.

Assistance Units with no income or only unearned income are required to report income changes only if they receive new earned income that, when combined with other earned income, exceeds the IRT.

When income over the IRT is reported to the county, the county must determine if the income is reasonably anticipated to continue.  If it is reasonably anticipated to continue, the county must redetermine the CalWORKs grant amount using the new income amount.  If the grant will be decreased, the county must give timely and adequate notice to decrease the grant at the end of the month.  If the new income amount exceeds 130% of the Federal Poverty Level, the county must discontinue CalWORKs at the end of the month after timely and adequate notice is given.

It is possible that there will be some cases that are over the IRT, but under 130% of the Federal Poverty Level, where the assistance unit will not be eligible for a cash grant.  Those cases will have zero grant, but will be eligible for supportive services and CalWORKs special needs.

Counties must inform recipients of their IRT at application approval, at least once per semi-annual reporting period, and whenever the IRT amount changes.  The IRT level which the recipient was last notified of is used for reporting purposes.

These instructions also apply to Refugee Cash Assistance, Entrant Cash Assistance and Trafficking and Crime Victims Assistance Act.

The income reporting threshold for a CalWORKs assistance unit of 1 is $1,632, for 2 is $2,215, for 3 is $2,798, for 4 is $3,380, for 5 is $3,963, for 6 is $4,456, for 7 is $5,129, for 8 is $5,712, and add $583 for each additional member. (ACL 24-63, September 6, 2024.)

End of CalWORKs Quality Control requirement

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The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has released the final regulations ending the CalWORKs Quality Control requirement.  The new regulations repeal the CalWORKs Quality Control cooperation requirement.  This means counties can not longer terminate CalWORKs benefit for allegedly not cooperating with a Quality Control review.  (ACIN I-51-24, October 24, 2024.)

Final Pregnancy and Pregnancy Special Needs Supplement regulation

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The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has release the final regulations implementing changes to CalWORKs Pregnant Person Only cases and the Pregnancy Special Needs supplement.

The amended regulations make several changes:

  • Pregnant Person Only applicants are eligible to receive CalWORKs aid from the date of application regardless of pregnancy trimester.
  • Pregnant Person only applicants who cannot provide medical verification of pregnancy at the time of application can submit a sworn statement or verbal attestation to temporarily verify the pregnancy and receive cash assistance. Medical verification is required within 30 working days following submittal of the sworn statement or verbal attestation, which can be extended if the applicant is making a good faith effort to obtain medical verification.
  • Participants must report to the county within 30 days of end of their pregnancy not resulting in the live birth of a child.
  • Prior to discontinuing cash aid or the Pregnancy Special Needs supplement, counties must provide information about, and referral to mental health services.
  • Pregnant Person Only applicants and pregnant participants with other eligible children can submit a sworn statement or verbal attestation to issue the Pregnancy Special Needs payment when the medical verification of the pregnancy is not available. Medical verification is required within 30 working days following submittal of the sworn statement or verbal attestation, which can be extended if the applicant is making a good faith effort to obtain medical verification..
  • Increases the monthly Pregnancy Special Needs payment to $100.
  • Allows the use of sworn statement or verbal attestation for pregnant person applicants to be determined apparently eligible for CalWORKs and therefore eligible for temporary homeless assistance. (ACIN I-57-24, November 1, 2024.)

CAPI Cost of Living Increase

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Effective January 1, 2025, Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants benefits will increase by 2.5 percent.  This increase is because of the Social Security and SSI 2.5 percent cost of living adjustment (COLA) and the amount of CAPI benefits is linked to the amount of SSI benefits.

The COLA increase will also increase the presumed value of in-kind support and maintenance, the allowance for ineligible children in deeming situations, the sponsor’s allocation in sponsor deeming situations, and the allowance for parents in parent-to-child deeming situations.  (ACIN I-61-24, November 18, 2024.)