CalFresh / SNAP

COVID-19 CalFresh emergency allotment for August 2020

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California has been approved to issue an emergency allotment of CalFresh for August, 2020.  The emergency allotment will be issued on September 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, August 3, 2020.)

COVID-19 extension of tax intercept suspension

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The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has extended suspension of state tax intercepts for collection of CalWORKs overpayments and CalFresh overissuances until the end of 2020.

The Food and Nutrition Service extended suspension of submission of CalFresh debts to the Treasury Offset Program for federal tax intercept of CalFresh overpayments until August 6, 2020.  California can ask for another 30-day extension.

Refund requests for federal or state tax intercepts that occurred after March 1, 2020 are not mandatory but may be approved on a case-by-case basis following a request from any individual in the former CalWORKs or CalFresh household who has been impacted by COVID-19.  Any refunded debts will remain outstanding and will be collected when CDSS resumes tax intercepts.  (ACWDL, July 30, 2020.)

COVID-19 CalFresh interview waiver extended through August

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The federal waiver for not conducting CalFresh initial application and recertification interviews has now been extended through August 31, 2020.  This is a reversal of the initial denial of California’s request to extend the interview waiver through July. Now, counties are not required to conduct interviews for CalFresh applications and recertification during July, 2020 except under specified circumstances.  For details about this waivers, see ACWDL April 2, 2020, summarized here.  (ACWDL, July 24, 2020.)

COVID-19 CalFresh waiver extension and end of CalFresh interview waivers

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California had three federal waivers for CalFresh because of COVID-19.  The federal waivers for not conducting a face-to-face interview even on request of the applicant, and not requiring requiring specific recording equipment for telephonic signatures are extended until the end of the COVID-19 national emergency.  However, the federal waiver for not conducting CalFresh  initial application and recertification interviews has not been extended.  As a result, counties must begin conducting initial application and recertification interviews no later than August 1, 2020.  For details about these waivers, see ACWDL April 2, 2020, summarized here, and ACWDL May 28, 2020, summarized here.  (ACWDL, July 16, 2020.)

CalFresh waiver extension: reinstatement of eligibility within 30 days of ineligibility

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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.)

Distance learning via Cell-Ed for CalWORKs and CalFresh

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The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has information about Cell-Ed, a distance learning program that CDSS has partnered with.  This partnership provides counties free access to Cell-Ed through June, 2021.

Cell-Ed and other distance learning activities can count towards CalWORKs Welfare-to-Work participation in various categories.  Cell-Ed also counts as a core activity (not counting toward the 24-month time clock) a vocational education, job search and job readiness.

Counties can track participation on Cell-Ed.  Counties should not ask for additional verification of Cell-Ed participation.

Cell-Ed is an allowable CalFresh Employment and Training (E &T) activity.

CalWORKs participants are entitled to supportive services for Cell-Ed courses, including child care and ancillary expenses.  CalFresh E & T participants are also entitled to supportive services for Cell-Ed.  For both CalWORKs and CalFresh E & T, covered ancillary expenses can include a mobile phone or a phone and internet service to connect to Cell-Ed.  (ACIN I-55-20, July 1, 2020.)