CalWORKs

EBT surcharge free network and text message information

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The California Department of Social Services has issued information about the new Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) surcharge-free ATM network.  The new network is attached to the notice and will be mailed to the clients with a cover letter.  The new network includes all Bank of America ATMs in California.  However, effective February 1, 2019, ATMs in the MoneyPass network will no longer be surcharge-free.  A list of surcharge-free ATMs is on the EBT Client Website. 

Clients will no longer be charged balance inquires or for withdrawls after the fourth withdrawal in a month.

Clients can now get information about their EBT account via text message.  Clients need to register their cell phone number on the EBT Client Website.  After doing that, they can get their account balance, surcharge-free ATMs in their area, all ATMs in their area, and restaurants, stores and farmers markets in their area that accept EBT.  (ACIN I-88-18, December 28, 2018.)

SOGI self-identification

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The California Department of Social Services has issued instructions implementing voluntary self-identification of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI).  Although counties must ask about SOGI, applicant or recipient responses are voluntary.  CDSS has created form CW 2223 for this purpose.  Counties must use the CW 2223 for applications and redetermination/recertifications.  All primary caretaker relatives, including minor parents/caretaker relatives, who elect to disclose this information complete their own CW 2223 form.  Applicants and recipients must be given the opportunity to complete the form regardless of whether the application or redetermination/recertification is done by phone, in person or on line.  For example, if the interview is done by phone, the form should be mailed to the client.

The CW 2223 is not programmed into the county computer systems.  The letter contains instructions for how county workers need to enter the information into the computer systems. 

For CAPI only cases, the CAPI application includes optional SOGI questions so the CW 2223 form does not need to be used.

Counties should do periodic training of front line staff on SOGI sensitivity and best practices.  According to CDSS, some best practices include explaining why the questions are being asked and that the responses are confidential, and using gender-neutral language such as partner or significant other.  (ACL 18-133, November 8, 2018.)

Transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 2 child care

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The California Department of Education (CDE) has issued instructions regarding transition from Stage 1 child care to Stage 2 child care. Stage 1 is child care for CalWORKs recipients participating in welfare-to-work activities.  Stage 1 is administered by the California Department of Social Services through county welfare departments or Alternative Payment Programs (APP) under contract with county welfare departments.  Stage 2 is child care for CalWORKs recipients who are found to be stable on the program or former CalWORKs recipients.  Stage 2 is administered by CDE through contracts with APPs.

Stage 2 contractors must develop efficient coordinated systems for transferring families from Stage 1 to Stage 2 to ensure that families do not experience a break in child care services.  The sending Stage 1 program and the receiving Stage 2 program are responsible for data sharing and coordination to ensure the transfer of the nine data elements needed for child care eligibility and payment.  Only those nine data elements must be received to transfer the family to Stage 2.  If the nine data elements are incomplete or are missing information, the family should continue to receive Stage 1 child care until the nine data elements are transferred.  The Stage 2 contractor cannot require the family to provide documentation to transfer to Stage 2.

When the Stage 2 contractor receives all nine data elements and informs the Stage 1 contractor that the nine data elements are complete, the family’s enrollment is transferred to Stage 2.  The family’s 12 month eligibility period for Stage 2 begins on the date the nine data elements are received and confirmed.  There is no need to for the family to complete an application for Stage 2.  Starting on the date the nine data elements received and confirmed, the Stage 2 contractor must assume full responsibility for reimbursing the provider and provide written notice informing the parent of the transfer.

Current CalWORKs recipients are categorically eligible for Stage 2 until they are certified no sooner than 12 months after transfer.  If a CalWORKs family would have their child care terminated for violation of a child care contractor’s reasonable policies, the contractor must notify the county welfare department about possible actions including transfer to Stage 1.

Families who transfer to Stage 2 as former CalWORKs recipients must report if their income exceeds 85 percent of State Median Income.  (Management Bulletin 18-05, August, 2018.)

Guidance on discrimination complaint summary investigation letters

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The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued instructions the content of letters from county civil rights coordinators that provide the county’s determination of complaints following their investigations.  An applicant for or recipient of benefits or services from a CDSS program can file a civil rights complaint with the county welfare department if they believe they have been discriminated against in violation of federal or state anti-discrimination laws.  An applicant or recipient has the right to appeal a county determination of a civil rights complaint to the CDSS Civil Rights Bureau.  The letters provided to complaintants provide a brief summary of the allegations and the reasons for the County’s determination. This is necessary to give the complaintant sufficient information to understand the basis for the decision, decide whether to appeal to CDSS and to present meaningful argument on appeal.

The County summary letter must contain: 1) a clear statement of the allegations, include the complaintant’s allegations of what happened, and on what basis discrimination is alleged; 2) The case specific facts that the county relied on to make its determination; and 3) the reasons for the County’s determination.

Any statements that the investigators attribute to the complaintant must be included verbatim in the summary letter.

Counties must include a draft of the summary letter to the complaintant with the final investigation report that is forwarded to CDSS for review.  The County must wait for CDSS’ approval before providing the summary letter to the claimant.  (ACL 18-111, September 10, 2018.)

Ten percent MAP increase

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The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued instructions regarding the ten percent increase in the CalWORKs Maximum Aid Payment.  Effective April 1, 2019, the CalWORKs Maximum Aid Payment will increase by ten percent.  The grant increase applies to all CalWORKs cases, regardless of whether those cases are in Region One or Region Two and whether or not the assistance unit is exempt from Welfare-to-Work.

The grant increase must be programmed into the welfare department computer systems by April 1, 2019.  If the grant increase is not automated, the computer system consortia must give counties instructions for a workaround to ensure CalWORKs recipients receive the grant increase effective April 1, 2019.

CDSS issued a mass mailer notice that must be sent to all CalWORKs recipients no later than February 15, 2019 informing of the grant increase.  Counties must also inform recipients of their new Income Reporting Threshold because of the grant increase.  (ACL 18-124, October 9, 2018.)

Child Support recoupment and CalWORKs overpayments

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The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued instructions regarding the interaction between child support recoupment and CalWORKs overpayments.  Any month in which the full amount of CalWORKs paid is reimbursed by collected child support is not counted as a month of receipt of aid for the 48 month time on aid limit.  This not counting of months where the full amount of CalWORKs paid is reimbursed by collected child support occurs whether the child support is collected in that month or is retroactively applied to that month.

Child support recoupment cannot be used to reimburse a CalWORKs overpayment because it is used to adjust time-on-aid.

When a month is a partial overpayment and the client is eligible for a portion of the CalWORKs paid for that month, child support recoupment can only repay the portion of the grant that the client is entitled to.  Time-on-aid for that month cannot be unticked until the county is fully reimbursed for CalWORKs paid for that month.

If the county determines there is an overpayment for a month that was previously reimbursed by child support collection, the county must change the child support collection to apply it to the next month that has not been unticked. (ACL 18-123, October 8, 2018.)