CalFresh / SNAP

BenefitsCal Release of Information form

Posted on by

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

Posted on by

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

Posted on by

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.)

CalFresh Cost of Living increase

Posted on by

Effective October 1, 2024, the maximum monthly allotment for a one-person household in California is $292, for a two-person household $536, for a three-person household is $768, for a four-person household is $975, for a five-person household is $1,158, for a six-person household is $1,390, for a seven-person household is $1,536, for an eight-person household is $1,756 and add $220 for each additional household member above eight.

The maximum shelter deduction for households without an elderly or disabled household member is increased to $712.

The homeless shelter deduction is increased to $190.30.

The standard deduction is increased to $204 for households of 1-3 people, $217 for households of 4 people, $254 for households of 5 people, and $291 for households of six or more people.

The Standard Utility Allowance (SUA) is increased to $645.  The Limited Utility Allowance (LUA) is increased to $166.  The Telephone Utility Allowance (TUA) remains at $19.

The resource limit for households subject to it is increased to $3,000.  The resource limit for households with a least one household member over age 60 or disabled is increased to $4,500.  This is also the threshold for substantial lottery or gambling winnings that must be reported.  (ACIN I-45-24, September 23, 2024.)

CalFresh Restaurant Meals Program annual letter

Posted on by

The CalFresh Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) is a program that allows eligible households to use their CalFresh food benefits to purchase prepared meals at approved food establishments. Households that have only adults age 60 and older (and their spouses), people with disabilities (and their spouses), or homeless persons qualify. Both County Welfare Departments (CWD) and the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) can administer the program.

Counties have two options for administering the RMP:

  • Under the county administered option, the CWD administers the RMP at the local level.
  • Under the state administered option, CDSS administers the RMP at the state level. The CDSS implements the RMP in all counties not offering the program and assumes administration of the program at the request of CWD’s. CWD’s must inform the CDSS they intent to transition 120 days before the transition date.

Regardless of who has oversight over the RMP, all CWDs must:

  • Certify eligible households have the RMP indicator turned on at application, recertification, periodic report, or any time there is a change in household circumstances.
  • Inform applicants of their eligibility for the RMP at application.
  • Inform RMP eligible households of the names and addresses of RMP restaurant vendors in their county.
  • Enable the county consortia RMP to pull accurate RMP data.

For locally administered RMPs, CWDs must:

  • Conduct outreach to potential restaurant vendors and ensure they are located in eligible service areas.
  • Screen restaurant vendors to ensure they meet program requirements.
  • Enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with restaurants outlining the program while providing technical assistance during the application process.
  • Act as a liaison between restaurant vendors and the CDSS.
  • Perform ongoing program monitoring.

Regardless of who has oversight over the RMP, the CDSS will:

  • Maintain a list of RMP restaurant vendors.
  • Act as a liaison between RMP partners and United States Department Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to maintain information sharing.

For state administered RMP’s, CDSS will:

  • Conduct outreach to restaurant vendors and screen vendors to ensure they meet program requirements.
  • Ensure vendors are located in service areas.
  • Act as a liaison between restaurant vendors and FNS.
  • Enter into a Permanent Single Agreement (PSA) outlining the program, while providing technical assistance during and after the vendors application process.
  • Perform ongoing program monitoring.

(ACL 24-58, August 12, 2024.)

Use of CDSS interpreter services and confidentiality agreement form

Posted on by

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued new guidance and instruction regarding county use of the CR 6181 Interpreter Services Statement and Confidentiality Agreement form.  The CR 6181 must be used when individuals with limited English proficiency use their own verbal interpreter, or when deaf and hard of hearing persons use their own sign language interpreter.

The CR 6181 informs people of the possibility of communication errors when they use their own interpreter.  It also informs that their interpreter may need to interpret sensitive and personal information, and the county cannot guarantee that the client provided interpreter will maintain confidentiality.  The CR 6181 does not replace the GEN 1365 Notice of Language Services form.  Counties must not compel, encourage, or require an applicant/recipient to use their own interpreter, or discourage use of a county provided interpreter.

After a county is informed that an applicant/recipient needs an interpreter, the county must offer free county-provided interpretation at each substantive client contact.  When an applicant/recipient decides to use their own interpreter after being offered a free interpreter, counties must use the CR 6181.  The CR 6181 is consent and a release of information which allows the applicant/recipient to use their own interpreter.

The county must not rely on the client-provided interpreter to help the individual understand or complete the CR 6181.  The county must use a county-provided interpreter for questions about the CR 6181 form.  A new CR 6181 form must be completed if the prior CR 6181 is more than one year old, or the applicant/recipient is using a different interpreter.  The county cannot use the applicant/recipient provided interpreter without a completed CR 6181.

For communication by telephone, counties must accept the CR 6181 by telephonic signature or another form of agreement.

Minors can only be used for interpretation temporarily and only until the county provides an interpreter.  Because use of a minor is temporary, a CR 6181 is not needed when a minor acts as an interpreter.

Counties must inform applicants/recipients of their right to free interpretation.  The county cannot conduct substantive, program related  (ACL 24-68, October 17, 2024.)