EBT gets bigger: counties can choose (but are not required) to add Cal-Learn and Welfare-to-Work benefits to the EBT system. Theory is better data, reporting and tracking, and faster client receipt of benefits, than those old fashioned checks. Available payment are transportation, ancillary, and bonuses for Cal-Learn; transportation costs and ancillary expenses necessary for WTW participation. (The letter does not address this issue, but one hopes that counties will counsel recipients about these payments appearing on the EBT, for budgeting purposes.) [Download]
Summaries of select CalWORKs, CalFresh, Health and Housing Regulations
Author: Webdog
ACIN 1-02-09: Federal Family Unification Program (1/5/09)
In this hard economic time, some good news. $20 million in new Section 8 vouchers through the federal Family Unification Program (FUP) is now available. The funds are for families for whom the lack of adequate housing is a primary factor in the removal, or imminent separation, of children from their families; and youth who are at least 18 years old but not yet 22, who left foster care at age 16 or older, and lack adequate housing. (Youth only qualify for a voucher for a maximum of 18 months.)
Although child welfare agencies certify eligible recipients for the vouchers, public housing authorities are the only eligible applicants for funding. The Housing Authority must submit its application to HUD by 1/28/09. There must be an MOU between the child welfare agency and the housing authority. Includes resource links. [Download]
ACL 08-65: Documentation Of Interpretive Services (12/31/08)
Ringing out the old year with clarifying instructions on how and when to document that the county offered and provided interpretive services to clients. Includes review that an offer, in the client’s primary language, of interpretive services and written materials, must record the reason why a applicant/recipient declines material in their primary language. [Download]
ACIN I-98-08: Impact Of The “Extension For Elderly And Disabled Refugees Act” On CAPI (12/23/08
CAPI recipients with a certain immigration status that they may be eligible for an extension of SSI. Under H.R. 2608, refugees and other humanitarian immigrants (asylees, persons granted withholding of deportation or removal, Cuban and Haitian Entrants, Amerasians, and victims of human trafficking) are now potentially eligible for SSI/SSP for at least two additional years. Applicants or recipients may be eligible if they meet certain Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) criteria. They may also be eligible for payment retroactive to October 1, 2008 regardless of when they request reinstatement to SSI/SSP. Counties are required to refer all recipients in the specified statuses to their local SSA office to apply for SSI/SSP. The notice instructs counties to do this even if the recipient does not meet one of the six LPR criteria. SSA has not yet published its final rules, and the state wants the referral in case the may qualify for SSI based on other criteria that has not yet been identified. [Download]
ACIN I-60-08: Title XX Social Services Block Grant Expenditure Report (12/24/08)
A summary of the state’s Title XX expenditures, program responsibilities, and the population served that is submitted annually to the federal HHS. [Download]
ACL 08-48: Sharing Ratios For Group Home Programs FY 2008-09 (11/14/08)
Listing of the new rates, effective 10/1/08. [Download]