CDSS is issuing CalFresh benefits for February 2019 early between January 16 and January 20.  This early issuance is required because, as a result of the federal government shutdown, there is no appropriation to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)  after January 20.

Counties must provide client notice as they would for a mass change.  This includes county websites, posters, press and social media.  There is no individual household noticing requirement.  However, counties are encouraged to contact individual households as feasible using communication channels such as text messaging, email and phone messges.

Most clients will receive their benefits between January 16 and 20.  However, some clients will receive benefits on their normal issuance date if they are eligible and federal reserve funds are available.  These clients are 1) current clients who have a report due in January but the report is received and processed after the early issuance but before the end of January; 2) current clients who have a report due in January and whose eligibility is determined after the end of January; 3) News client determined eligible after the early issuance is completed and 4) New clients who apply on or after February 1.  CDSS estimates that about $86 million in benefits is associated with cases which will not be completed by January 20 because reports have not been submitted or case processing is not completed.

Without a new appropriate for the United States Department of Agriculture either by resolution of the federal government shutdown or by enactment of separate legislation appropriating funds for the SNAP program, there is insufficient federal funding for March benefits.  (All County Welfare Directors Letter, January 11, 2019.)

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued instructions regarding allocation and use of the 15% exemptions for counties implementing the Able Bodied Adults Without Dependants (ABAWD) requirement.

The ABAWD requirements is that able bodied persons age 18 to 49 are eligible for CalFresh for only 3 full months in a 36 month period unless they are exempt or satisfying work requirements.  Federal law gives each state individual exemptions equal to 15% of its annual caseload.  These exemptions allow counties to extend CalFresh eligibility to ABAWDs who would otherwise be ineligible.  Each exemption is equal to one full month of CalFresh eligibility for one ABAWD.

The 15% exemptions are only available to persons at risk of losing CalFresh benefits for not satisfying work requirements.  California has established equivalent exemptions for persons receiving California Food Assistance Program benefits.  People serving a sanction are ineligible for a 15% exemption.

For the period September 1, 2018 to August 31, 2019, San Francisco, Santa Clara and San Mateo counties are subject to the ABAWD requirement.  The ABAWD requirement is implemented by first assessing persons subject to the ABAWD requirement and screening for exemptions, second engaging ABAWDs to find additional work or participate in qualifying work activities, then third providing 15% exemption to maintain food assistance.

For fiscal year 2018, California has 866,894 15% exemptions including exemptions carried over from prior years.  (ACIN I-72-18, October 30, 2018.)

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued instructions implementing the settlement agreement in Brown and Espinosa-Tapia v. Lightbourne.   Counties can now collect administrative error and inadvertent household error overissuances going back only three years from the date of discovery of the overissuance.

CDSS’ prior policy authorized collection going back up to six years from the date of discovery of the overissuance.  The change is only prospective and does not apply to overissuance claims established prior to the date of this letter.  (ACL 18-99, September 14, 2018.)