The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has notified counties that enrollment in a Puente Project program no longer automatically causes students to be exempt from the CalFresh student eligibility rule.

In general, college students are ineligible for CalFresh.  One exception to that rule is if a student is participating in a program to increase student employability.  This includes programs for students with low-income that are operated by state or local government where at least one component of the program is equivalent to a CalFresh Education and Training Component, such as job retention, job search, work experience, vocational training or on-the-job training.

Puente Project programs are designed to improve the college going rate for educationally underrepresented students. There are Puente Project programs at 65 California Community Colleges.  In 2017, in ACL 17-05, CDSS decided that all Puente Project programs were considered programs to increase employability, and as a result, participating students were exempt from the CalFresh student rule.

CDSS has now decided that not all Puente Project programs meet the definition of a program to increase employability.  As a result, students in Puente Project programs are no longer automatically exempt from the CalFresh student rule.  However, individual Puente Project programs can be approved by CDSS on a case-by-case basis if they provide one or more components that is equivalent to a CalFresh Education and Training program.  If the program is approved, then students in the program will be exempt from the CalFresh student rule. Individual Puente Project programs can request approval using a CDSS request form.

Ongoing CalFresh households that include a student who was exempt from the CalFresh student rule because of participation in a Puente Project program must be reassessed for an exemption from the CalFresh student eligibility rule as soon as possible, but no later than the household’s next semi-annual report or recetification. (ACL 20-34, July 26, 2020.)

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has notified counties that enrollment in a Puente Project program no longer automatically causes students to be exempt from the CalFresh student eligibility rule.

In general, college students are ineligible for CalFresh.  One exception to that rule is if a student is participating in a program to increase student employability.  This includes programs for students with low-income that are operated by state or local government where at least one component of the program is equivalent to a CalFresh Education and Training Component, such as job retention, job search, work experience, vocational training or on-the-job training.

Puente Project programs are designed to improve the college going rate for educationally underrepresented students. There are Puente Project programs at 65 California Community Colleges.  In 2017, in ACL 17-05, CDSS decided that all Puente Project programs were considered programs to increase employability, and as a result, participating students were exempt from the CalFresh student rule.

CDSS has now decided that not all Puente Project programs meet the definition of a program to increase employability.  As a result, students in Puente Project programs are no longer automatically exempt from the CalFresh student rule.  However, individual Puente Project programs can be approved by CDSS on a case-by-case basis if they provide one or more components that is equivalent to a CalFresh Education and Training program.  If the program is approved, then students in the program will be exempt from the CalFresh student rule. Individual Puente Project programs can request approval using a CDSS request form.

Ongoing CalFresh households that include a student who was exempt from the CalFresh student rule because of participation in a Puente Project program must be reassessed for an exemption from the CalFresh student eligibility rule as soon as possible, but no later than the household’s next semi-annual report or recetification. (ACL 20-34, July 26, 2020.)

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has instruction regarding extension of the Food and Nutrition Service waiver allowing counties to reinstate CalFresh households that did not submit a semi-annual report, required verification, or other required information if the household takes the required action within 30 days of ineligibility.

Under the waiver, if the household is discontinued for failure to provides a report, required verification, or other required information, but provides the information within 30 days of the date of discontinuance, the county must reinstate the household if the household meets all other eligibility requirements and the current certification period has not expired.   The household’s benefits will be prorated beginning on the date the household took the action to reestablish eligibility.

This wavier will remain in effect until June 30, 2022.  (ACL 20-80, July 14, 2020.)