CDSS has issued instructions about implementing AB 1747 (2015) regarding implementation of the CalFresh Restaurant Meals Program on college campuses.  The Restaurant Meals Program allows elderly, disabled or homeless CalFresh households to use their benefits at participating restaurants.

AB 1747 requires two or four year colleges that operate food facilities on campus to apply to become a food vendor under the Restaurant Meals Program.  AB 1747 also requires colleges to provide contracting food vendors with information about the Restaurant Meals program.

In addition, AB 1747 requires the CDSS to act as the state entity for receipt of federal reimbursement for CalFresh outreach to state educational institutions and other state and local agencies.  AB 1747 also requires CDSS to establish the Public Higher Education Pantry Assistance Account, which, if funded by the legislature, would provide funding for food banks that support on campus pantry and hunger-relief efforts for low-income students. ACL 16-112 (December 23, 2016).

In general, able bodied adults without children (ABAWDs) are eligible for CalFresh for only three months within a 36 month period unless the client 1) lives in a county or area of a county that has an ABAWD waiver; 2) satisfies the ABAWD work requirement; 3) qualifies for an exemption or 4) is granted an individual 15 percent exemption.

California has had a statewide waiver of the ABAWD rule.  This waiver expires on December 31, 2017.  CDSS has decided to implement the 36 month period using a fixed statewide clock.  This means all ABAWDs will have the same time 36 month time period, and when the clock starts it will continue uninterrupted.  The clock will begin on January 1, 2017 and will reset on January 1, 2020.  When the statewide clock ends, all ABAWDs will have their clock restart and can again receive their 3 months of CalFresh.  The choice to use a fixed statewide clock is intended to maximize benefits.  ACIN I-88-16 (December 14, 2016).

CDSS issued instructions to counties about CalFresh eligibility for students.  The general rule is students age 18-49 are ineligible for CalFresh.  However, there are several exceptions.  Eligibility workers must evaluate whether a student meets one of the exceptions.  The exceptions are when the student is:

• Employed average of 20 hours per week for the month
• Has parental control of a child under age 6
• Has parental control of a child 6-12 but do not have child care to allow attending class and working 20 hours per week
• Approved for Work Study and anticipate getting a work study job. Exception applies even if no work study jobs are available as long as will take Work Study job if it is offered
• Receives CalWORKs
• Enrolled full time and single parent with responsibility to care for a child under age 12
• Participating in an education and training program and placed in education for that program. Placements with Workforce Investment Opportunity Act, CalFresh Employment and Training, JOBS, Section 236 of Trade Act or state or local government education and training program can qualify.

ACIN I-89-15 (December 1, 2015).

CDSS has issued instructions to counties about the content of CalFresh overissuance notices.  Counties must complete the free-form “Here’s Why” section of the overissuance notice.  The drop-down menu explanations in the “Here’s Why” section of the overissuance notice do not provide sufficient detail about the reason for the overissuance and must be accompanied by additional information that is specific to the case.  The free-form “Here’s Why” section must be completed even if the county consortia computer system allows the notice to be issued without completing the free-form section in order to meet state and federal due process requirements.

At a minimum, the free-form “Here’s Why” section must include: 1) the amount of benefits the household received, 2) the amount of benefits the household should have received, 3) the time period of the overissuance, 4) the specific reason that caused the overissuance, 5) the amount of benefits to be repaid, and 6) how the household can pay the claim.  ACL 16-71 (September 12, 2016).