5th round of Q & A on the new WTW changes wrought by SB 1041. This one reviews hours of participation by family composition, counting months for 2 parent families and those with optional AU members; the relation between “deemed” hours (based on minimum wage for work experience) vs. core hours/participation hours; more time clock info; study time; SIPs (and volunteering to become a non-SIP eligible for unsupervised study time); and how good cause impacts “meeting federal requirements.” Comes with a flow chart. [Download]
Summaries of select CalWORKs, CalFresh, Health and Housing Regulations
CalWORKs
ACL 14-09: CalWORKs Program: SB 1041 Extensions To The CalWORKs Welfare-To-Work 24-Month Time Clock (2/5/14)
A general overview of the extension process and provides the methodology for calculating the number of extensions available, to extend the 24 months period of “flexible” state activity time, before the mandatory “meet federal or lose aid” period goes into effect. [Download]
ACL 14-12: CalWORKs Family Stabilization Program (2/4/14)
Instructions and materials for implementing the CalWORKs Family Stabilization (FS) Program. Effective January 1, 2014, FS is a new CalWORKs component that provides intensive case management and services to clients. FS services can be provided prior to, or concurrently with, participation in WTW activities, withe the goal of increasing client success through more intensive case management and the assignment of clients to the additional activities or barrier removal services. CalWORKs recipients are eligible experiencing an situation that is destabilizing the family and would interfere with adult clients’ ability to participate in WTW activities and services. [Download]
ACIN I-01-14: CalWORKs) and CalFresh: New “Reminder Letter” For Clients Who Submit An Incomplete SAR 7 (1/17/14)
This ACIN transmits a new “reminder letter” for the CalWORKs and CalFresh programs. Client currently get an “X” or “Y” (NA 960) notices if they do not turn in their SAR 7 by the 11th of the month, or the SAR 7 is not complete. If, after receiving the X or Y notice the client submits a SAR 7 that is incomplete, CWDs are not required to issue another NOA. However, absent another NOA, the client is likely to think they complied with the original NA 960 X or NA 960 Y and that the discontinuance action will be rescinded. The new reminder letter, the SAR 90, informs clients that the SAR 7 they submitted is still not complete and to provide clients another opportunity to submit a complete SAR 7 to avoid discontinuance of their cash aid and/or CalFresh benefits. The SAR 90 must specify what questions need to be answered or what verification needs to be provided for the SAR 7 to be complete. The NOA does not grant a new 90 day appeal period, but does state that the person may still appeal based on the original notice date. [Download]
ACL 14-07: CalWORKs Program: AB 419 Changes To The Temporary Absence Rules For Children In A Public Hospital (1/16/14)
AB 419 changes to the temporary absence rules in the CalWORKs program for children receiving treatment in a public hospital. As a result of AB 419, there is no longer any
limit on the length of time a child is considered temporarily absent from the home while receiving treatment in a public hospital, and aid will continue for that child for the entire
period of the hospitalization. The new law became effective 1/1/14, so the letter also discusses automation workarounds and supplemental payments. [Download]
ACL 14-05: CalWORKs: Five Percent Increase To The Maximum Aid Payment (MAP) Levels (1/13/14)
The implementing instructions for the 5% increase to the maximum grant, effective 3/1/14, and the informing notice, and a reminder to issue new Income Reporting Thresholds to families. [Download]