As of 1/1/12, no more finger-imaging for CalFresh applicants and recipients. This letter discusses the implementation of the changes, in particular the joint CalWORKs/CalFresh applications (CalWORKs will still require a finger-image, but it cannot be a basis for denying or delaying food benefits.) [Download]
An important ACIN, albeit posted tardily on the DSS website. This Notice reviews mandatory and optional verification requirements for CalFRESH, and includes a handy-dandy chart. [Download]
Lots of minor corrections, the most important of which is announcing that the 2010-11 rates will remain in place through September 2012. [Download]
Federal rules previously sanctioned the entire household, even if only one member of the household refused to cooperate with the QC review. New federal rules now apply the sanction for non-cooperation with the QC review to the individual. If it is determined that the entire household is “complicit” with the refusal to cooperate, the sanction shall be applied to the entire household.
The sanction period is also extended from 95 days to 125 days (state) and for refusal to cooperate with the federal QC reviewer from seven months to nine months after the end of the annual review period. These changes are effective beginning October 1, 2011. [Download]
A reminder and clarification about the program. The RMP is an optional county program that enables homeless, disabled, and/or elderly CalFresh individuals to use their CalFresh benefits to purchase prepared meals at participating restaurants. FNS has stated only those CalFresh recipients who are elderly and/or disabled, and their spouses, or homeless individuals, can get RMP – not the other household members. Counties need to file certain documents with the state, and among other things, the MOU must include that the restaurant provide low-cost or discount meals during regular hours to eligible homeless, elderly or disabled persons and that they advise participating restaurants of the penalties for illegal activities, and contain demographic information. [Download]
Although SB 1341 was effective January 1, 2009, this Notice is now providing the changes to the Restricted Accounts for CalWORKs and CalFresh recipients and to the spend down rules for eligibility to Homeless Assistance (HA) payments. Effective January 1, 2009, families can use funds held in restricted accounts to help pay for securing permanent rental housing or to pay for rent arrearages to avoid becoming homeless. In addition, any savings that are held in a restricted account are now considered exempt from being counted toward the $100 limit when determining eligibility for HA. CWDs should ensure that no CalWORKs recipients have been discontinued from January 1, 2009, forward, due to withdrawing funds to pay for costs associated with securing permanent rental housing or to pay rent arrearages to avoid becoming homeless. If discontinuances are discovered, they should be rescinded and eligibility re-determined retroactively, as necessary. [Download]