The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued the CalFresh cost-of living adjustments (COLA) for Federal Fiscal Year 2020. The COLA increases the Maximum Shelter Deduction, the Homeless Shelter Deduction, the Standard Deduction, the Standard Utility Allowance, the Limited Utility Allowance, the Telephone Utility Allowance and the income eligibility standards.  The COLA is effective October 1, 2019.

Counties must inform all CalFresh households of the COLA and the new utility deduction amounts no later than October 1, 2019.  Counties may use an informing notice, or can use news or media outlets and post information in certification offices, issuance locations and other sites frequented by CalFresh recipients. (ACIN I-54-19, August 21, 2019.)

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued instructions implementing AB 494 that requires counties to accept shelter costs reported by a CalFresh applicant or recipient on a signed application, periodic report or recertification.  Counties cannot request additional verification unless the expenses reported are questionable.

Counties must deduct the actual amount of the household’s monthly shelter costs in excess of 50 percent of their income after all other deductions.  The excess shelter cost deduction cannot be more than the current maximum unless the household includes at least one elderly and/or disabled member.

Allowable shelter costs include rent, mortgage payment, loan payment on a mobile home, condominium and homeowner association fees, property taxes and insurance on the home.

To be considered questionable, information reported must be inconsistent with statements made by the applicant or inconsistent with other information received by the county.  If the reported shelter expense is questionable, the county must verify it before allowing the deduction.  Counties cannot require a specific document or type of verification.  Acceptable verification includes rental agreement, rent receipts, mortgage bills, property tax assessment, home or renter’s insurance bills, hotel receipts, cancelled checks or copies. The reason a reported shelter cost was determined questionable, the request for verification, and any verification provided by the household, must be documented in the case file.  (ACL 19-86, August 21, 2019.)

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued policy guidance regarding verification and deduction of medical expenses, specifically transportation, for CalFresh eligibility.

Households can claim the excess medical deduction for non-reimbursed medical expenses over $35 per month incurred by an elderly and/or disabled household member.  The standard medical expense deduction is $120.  Households can request using actual medical expenses when medical expenses are over $155 per month.

Medical expenses must be verified for households to claim the medical expense deduction.  Counties cannot require a specific type of verification.  Counties must assist households in obtaining verification if needed.  If the household cannot provide verification, the county determines the CalFresh grant without the medical expense deduction.  Households can claim and verify medical expenses at any time.  Households may use the CF31 form to report medical expenses.

Counties should not re-verify medical expenses if they are unchanged or a change is $25 or less.  Households remain eligible for the standard medical expense deduction if they report their medical expenses continue to exceed $35 per month.

Allowable medical expenses include the cost of transportation to obtain treatment or services.  This includes transportation to health care appointments and pharmacies and to other locations to fill prescriptions, fittings for dentures, hearing aids or glasses.

Households must verify expenses for public transportation, taxis and ride shares.  For travel by private vehicle, the county must accept a verbal or written statement that the travel was required for medical reasons unless that statement is questionable.  County staff then calculates the mileage using a mapping application.  A copy of the map must be kept in the client’s case file.  Gas receipts are not required.  Mileage counts at the IRS rate which is currently 58 cents per mile.  (ACL 19-89, August 28, 2019.)

Effective August 1, 2019, earned income received directly from the Census Bureau for temporary employment related to the 2020 census must be excluded when determining CalFresh eligibility and benefits.  This policy applies through September 30, 2020. This policy is based on federal approval of a demonstration project.

The temporary census income exclusion cannot be applied retroactively.  However, counties that become aware of households who received income from the Census Bureau and were denied CalFresh benefits and were denied CalFresh after the effective date of this policy should reconsider those denials based on current policy.  (ACL 19-79, August 5, 2019.)