Federal waivers for CalFresh initial application and recertification interviews, requirement to conduct a face-to-face interview and of recording equipment for telephonic signatures have been extended to June 30, 2020.  The interview waiver has been extended to recertifications.  CalFresh recertifications for March, April and May were postponed.  Recertifications with a June submit month will occur and the interview for those recertifications is waived.  Detailed guidance on the waiver is here, summarized here.

In June, counties will begin processing recertifications for Transitional Nutrition Benefits, the program for households that lost CalFresh eligibility because a SSI recipient was added to the household.  A Notice of Recertification for Transitional Nutrition Benefit Program must be received including a signature for the household to continue receiving Transitional Nutrition Benefits.  If the county receives an incomplete recertification form, the county may contact the household to complete the form over the phone.  The county may collect an electronic signature over the phone or document the recipient’s agreement in the case file.  (ACWDL, May 28, 2020.)

California has been approved to issue an emergency allotment of CalFresh for June, 2020.  The emergency allotment will be issued on July 12 to raise each household’s monthly CalFresh allotment to the maximum allowable for the household size.  Per guidance from the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), households already receiving the maximum allotment are not eligible to receive an emergency allotment.

Moving forward, emergency allotments may be approved by FNS on a month-to-month basis until the Secretary of Health and Human Services rescinds the public health emergency. (ACWDL, May 21, 2020.)