10 months after the repeal of finger-imaging for CalFresh folks, DSS has issued a new PUB brochure on the SFIS system…which removes the references to CalFresh. It also “authorizes” counties to “strike out” (with a handy Sharpie?) the reference to CalFresh in the SAWs2 application. Not sure how that is done for on-line applications…. The spiffy new brochure is attached, and now explains why SFIS is used for CalWORKs and GA, and the limits of its usage. [Download]
Summaries of select CalWORKs, CalFresh, Health and Housing Regulations
CalWORKs
ACL 12-49: CalWORKs And CalFresh Programs: Implementation Of The Annual Reporting/Child Only (AR/CO) System (9/27/12)
No, CDSS has not merged with an oil company. This is the detailed instructions implementing effective today the ANNUAL reporting for child only cases. That’s right: these households will report only at application/redetermination, and when mandatory “change reporting” items come up. Contrary to logic but consistent with the statute, “child only” does not include AU’s in which only the children get aid, but the adult’s absence is due to a WTW sanction. To avoid negative CalFresh impact and “promote compatibility,” CDSS is assigning change reporting (CR) status to all CalFresh HHs associated with a CalWORKs AR/CO case. [Download]
ACIN I-44-12: Option To Modify County TANF Work Participation Rate E2Lite Sample Size For FFY 2013 (9/27/12)
Reminding counties of an option that may provide workload relief by lowering the precision and the sample size for the County Work Participation Rate. Only the small counties must meet a 100% precision rate. [Download]
ACL 12-41: CalWORKs) Program: Clarifying The Exclusion Of Americorps Payments As Income (8/28/12)
Instructions that County Welfare Departments are to exclude any payments or Income-In-Kind from AmeriCorps programs as income for CalWORKs eligibility and grant amount determinations. A re-review of which AmeriCorps payments as exempt from CalFresh. [Download]
ACIN I-38-12: CalWORKs Program: Treatment Of Student Financial Aid When Determining CalWORKs Eligibility And New NOA For Student Financial Aid (8/22/12)
This is a review of the policy on the treatment of financial aid when determining CalWORKs eligibility and amount of aid. The ACIN includes a new NOA to be used for recipients reporting a change in income due to student financial aid. The ACIN has a handy-dandy list of the typical financial aid that is excluded. Any portion or otherwise countable aid used to cover the attendance for 1/2 time or more students is excluded. Attendance costs are defined as tuition, fees, rental or purchase of required equipment, materials or supplies, books, transportation, dependent care and miscellaneous personal educational expenses. Transportation costs to and from school are an allowable school cost, based on the mode most economically available and feasible in the particular circumstances. If this means use of a car, all actual transportation costs will be used, prorated for the amount of driving that is attributable to going to school, and includes car payments, car insurance, car registration, parking fees and gasoline, subject to verification of costs.
Counties are to send the CW 2200 form to ask for needed verification, and if verification is not provided, the ACIN describes how to count the non-excluded financial aid funds. [Download]
ACL 11-88E: CalWORKs IRT for Quarterly Reporting (8/27/12)
The correct IRT for a 9 person AU. (Tiny typo, that left off $4,000.) [Download]