CalWORKs

Non-work Social Security Number request form for CalWORKs, CalFresh and CFAP

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The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued a new form to use when helping non-citizens get a Social Security Number (SSN).

CalWORKs applicants must have a SSN or or submit verification of their request for a SSN within 30 days of the date of application.  Counties must assist individuals in this process.  If the applicant cannot submit an application for a SSN because necessary documentation is not available, the county must determine if good cause exists.

Social Security will accept the new Non-Work Social Security Number Request Form (GEN 2101).  A wet signature of an authorized county management official or designee is required.  Counties can develop their own form, but only the GEN 2101 has been approved by the Social Security Administration.

For CalFresh, households must provide the SSN of each household member pr must provide verification of application for a SSN prior to certification.  A non-work SSN satisfies this requirement.  Counties may grant good cause for failure or refusal to comply with this requirement.  Household members granted good cause are eligible for one month after the month of application.  After that, good cause must be shown monthly.  Counties must assist in obtaining verification of good cause.  Delays because of illness, temporary absence or lack of transportation are not good cause.

The California Food Assistance Program (CFAP) uses the same rules as CalFresh except that trafficking victims, crime victims, and domestic violence survivors are not required to have a SSN.  When CFAP is expanded to all individuals over age 55 regardless of immigration status, applicants who do not have a SSN will be evaluated for eligibility based on all other criteria.  (ACL 24-44, June 26, 2024.)

Forms and notices for CalWORKs Family Reunification grants

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The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has released new forms and notices for the CalWORKs Family Reunification benefit.  The CalWORKs Family Reunification benefit provides up to six months of cash aid and child care as part of a child welfare services reunification plan.

CDSS states that families will be eligible for a Family Reunification cash grant when automation is complete.  (ACL 24-48, July 2, 2024.)

EBT card replacement with chip/tap cards

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The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has provided information about the replacement of current magnetic stripe EBT cards with chip/tap cards.  The new cards will be for CalWORKs, CalFresh, General Assistance, Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA), Trafficking and Crime Victims Assistance Program (TCVAP), Entrant Cash Assistance (ECA), Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI), and Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).  County equipment will be replaced in May, 2024.  New cardstock will be delivered to counties in May, 2024

In Summer, 2024, new chip/tap cards will be mailed to anyone with an active case, that is anyone who has accessed benefits in the last nine months.  The new cards will be mailed in three phases.  The first phase will be combined CalWORKs and CalFresh cases, GA, RCA, TCVAP, CAPI and LIHEAP.  The second phase will be cash-only benefits cases.  The third phase will be CalFresh only cases.

The existing PIN will carry-over to the new chip/tap card.  Cardholders will need to enter the PIN for each transaction with the chip/tap card.

SunBucks and Women, Infants and Children benefits will not be moved to the new chip/tap cards.

Counties should tell cardholders to use their replacement cards as soon as they receive them.  A successful transaction with the new card will activate it.  Cardholders can also activate their new card using the EBT Edge application, or by contacting the EBT customer service center.  Cardholders will have approximately 45 days after they receive their new card before their old magnetic stripe card will be unusable.

CDSS will monitor activation data and do direct outreach to cardholders who receive their new card but do not activate it.

Counties should refer questions to the EBT customer service center.

Any remaining magnetic stripe cards will be deactivated approximately 60 days after mass replacement is completed.  Cardholders who do not receive a new card can ask for their chip/tap card through the EBT Customer Service or the county.

Some retailers may not have equipment to accept chip/tap cards.  In most of those cases, the EBT card will need fall back to a magnetic stripe or manual key-in transaction.

Cardholders who are unhoused can have their replacement cards mailed to the county welfare department.  County welfare departments will get a list of cardholders who use the county welfare department mailing address for triage.  (ACWDL, June 24, 2024.)

Increase in CalWORKs vehicle value limit

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The California Department of Social Services has informed counties that the vehicle value for the CalWORKs program increases to $32,968 effective July 1, 2024. This increase also applies to Refugee Cash Assistance, Entrant Cash Assistance, and Trafficking and Crime Victims Assistance Program (TCVAP). The vehicle value is the amount of the value of a vehicle that does not count toward the program resource limit.

The welfare department computer systems will be programmed for the increased vehicle value effective July 1, 2024. (ACL 24-36, May 31, 2024.)

CalWORKs MBSAC increase

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The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has informed counties that the CalWORKs Minimum Basic Standard of Care (MBSAC) will increase by 4.32% effective July 1, 2024. This is an annual cost of living increase. This will increase the MBSAC in Region 1 to $899 for a 1 one-person assistance unit, $1,476 for a two-person assistance unit, $1,829 for a 3 person assistance unit and increasing with increases in assistance unit size. The MBSAC for Region 2 will increase to $853 for a 1 one person assistance unit, $1,401 for a 2 person assistance unit, $1,736 for a 3 person assistance unit and increasing with increases in assistance unit size.

The MBSAC is the maximum income before deductions that a family can have to be eligible for CalWORKs.

The same increase will apply to the MBSAC for Refugee Cash Assistance, Entrant Cash Assistance and Trafficking and Crime Victims Assistance Program. The same increase will apply to the CalWORKs Income in-kind level, which is the maximum amount of in kind income that is counted against the grant. (ACL 24-37, May 31, 2024.)

Changes to CalWORKs Home Visiting Program

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The All County Welfare Directors Letter (ACWDL) has issued process changes regarding County Welfare Departments (CWD) and the CalWORKs Home Visiting Program (HVP). CalWORKs HVP is a voluntary program that supports the health, development, and education of parenting individuals and infants born into poverty. HVP participants must meet both of the following criteria:

  1. Either pregnant or the caretaker of a child less than 24 months of age at the time of program enrollment
  2. Either
    1. A member of a CalWORKs assistance unit; or
    2. The parent or caretaker relative for a child-only case; or
    3. Apparently eligible for CalWORKs aid

Following the 2024-2025 ACWDL letter, the process for continuing country participation in HVP programs has changed. CWD’s that opt to maintain CalWORKs HVP eligibility (while keeping the same evidence-based model) are no longer required to complete a county plan application on a annual basis. Bi-annual county plans are replaced by a directors certification. The CWD certification requires the following:

  1. Provide CWD primary contact information.
  2. Provide caseload projections.
  3. Confirm the evidence-based home visiting model for HVPs.
  4. List all home visiting partners and their primary contact information.
  5. Review mandatory criteria for implementing the program and any additional criteria.
  6. Agree to terms and assurances, including operating within relevant laws, regulations, program guidance, and the HVP county plan.

The process for new county participation in HVP has changed. CWDs must create a county plan and submit it to the CDSS. CWDs must work with home visiting partners to complete the application. This includes information about proposed and selected county partners and an explanation of how the partnership will provide the best services for CalWORKs recipients. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) must be submitted with the RFCP application. The MOU should list specific roles and responsibilities of the CWD and home visiting agencies, including data sharing, reporting, distribution, collection of consent forms, enrollment, outreach, and claiming of funds.

If CWDs choose to add or change the HVP plan on file with the California Department of Social Services, they must submit a new county plan. Changes to county HVP’s require CDSS approval prior to implementation.  (ACWDL, April 10, 2024.)