Gee, that 107 page Semi-Annual Reporting (SAR) ACL was so darn thorough! Unfortunately, it was also based on some waiver requests to the USDA.  This letter goes over which were accepted, which were denied (and the impact) and which, one year later, are still pending.  An important denial is to disregard any mid-period voluntary reports that would decrease benefits.  The FNS is requiring California to act on ANY change reported mid-period if it is “verified upon receipt” (VUR) unless the report is for another program (like CalWORKs) and that program doesn’t trigger an action in response to the report.  CDSS will issue more instructions on VUR later. FNS also denied averaging income over the 6 month period, and allows only using reaonably anticipated income and changes from voluntary reports.  Requiring reporting mid-period changes in address is still pending. [Download]

New informing and approval notices.  MPP 63-504.39 requires that the counties inform all households of new CalFresh benefits and deductions. The state says that the county may use the new mass change notice or may notify households via the news media or posting in offices and other sites ‘frequented by households.’  [Download]

New colorful signage “that promotes healthy eating and can be prominently displayed by retailers.”  Farmer’s markets will get them automatically, retailers have to request them or download a printable version.   Comes in Spanish. [Download]