CalFresh / SNAP

COVID-19 CalFresh emergency allotment for May, 2021

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California has been approved to issue an emergency allotment of CalFresh for May, 2021.  All households will receive at least the maximum CalFresh allotment.  Households eligible to receive the maximum allowable allotment based on household size are now eligible to receive an emergency allotment of $95 per month. Households who are not eligible to receive the maximum allowable allotment based on household size, but whose emergency allotment would be less than $95 per month to receive the maximum allotment, will receive additional CalFresh benefits to raise their emergency allotment to the new $95 minimum.

The emergency allotment will be issued on June 13, 2021.

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.  There will be a one-month phase out of emergency allotments after the public health emergency is rescinded.  (ACWDL, May 5, 2021.)

CalFresh Employment and Training Laptop Loaner pilot

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The California Department of Social Services has announced a pilot project to provide laptops and cell phone for CalFresh Employment and Training participants.  The pilot project will be from May, 2021 to July, 2021.  The Pilot will be in San Francisco and Butte Counties, and the California Community College Fresh Success program.  The pilot will establish administrative processes and determine participant needs.  The Laptop Loaner program may be implemented in counties that have opted to provide CalFresh Employment and Training beginning October 1, 2021. (ACWDL, April 22, 2021.)

Franchise Tax Board and Treasury Offset Program collection updates

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Franchise Tax Board intercepts will continue to be suspended through July 31, 2021 because of COVID-19.  Counties can approve refund requests for individuals with circumstances related to COVID-19 for Franchise Tax Board collections that occurred starting March 1, 2020 through the end of the suspension of Franchise Tax Board intercepts.

Collection of CalFresh overissuances through the Treasury Offset Program are no longer suspended and collections began in early April, 2021.  (ACWDL, April 8, 2021.)

Changes to federal Public Charge rule

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The Department of Homeland Security will not enforce the 2019 public charge rule. As a result, the 1999 interim field guidance on the public charge inadmissibility provision will now apply.  Under the 1999 Interim Guidance, the Department of Homeland Security and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services will not consider receipt of Medi-Cal (except for long-term care, public housing or CalFresh as part of determining public charge inadmissibility.  Public cash assistance for income maintenance, including CalWORKs, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants and general assistance/general relief.

However, receipt of benefits alone will not automatically cause a public charge determination.  Receipt of benefits is only one factor among several considered as part of the totality of circumstances determination for whether someone is likely to become a public charge.  Receipt of benefits by family or household members is not considered for public charge purposes.

Medical testing, treatment, and preventative services for COVID-19, including vaccines, is not considered for public charge purposes. (ACL 21-32, March 15, 2021.)

COVID-19 CalFresh emergency allotment for April 2021

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COVID-19 CalFresh emergency allotment for April 2021

California has been approved to issue an emergency allotment of CalFresh for April, 2021.  All households will receive at least the maximum CalFresh allowment.  Households eligible to receive the maximum allowable allotment based on household size are now eligible to receive an emergency allotment of $95 per month. Households who are not eligible to receive the maximum allowable allotment based on household size, but whose emergency allotment would be is less than $95 per month to receive the maximum allotment will receive additional CalFresh benefits to raise their emergency allotment to the new $95 minimum.

The emergency allotment will be issued on May 16, 2021.

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.  There will be a one-month phase out of emergency allotments after the public health emergency is rescinded.  (ACWDL, April 16, 2021.)

Increase in SNAP emergency allotment

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The United States Department of Agriculture has authorized paying an emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, CalFresh in California) to households that are receiving the maximum allotment.  Starting in April, 2021, households that had not receive at least $95 in increase benefits through emergency allotments during COVID-19 will receive emergency allotments such that they receive at least a $95 emergency allotment.

This policy changes reverses the Trump Administration’s interpretation of the Families First Coronavirus Act and resolves two lawsuits filed about that interpretation. (USDA Press Release No. 0064.21, April 1, 2021.)