Two new and nine revised OP notices, to properly explain 1) the discovery of an overpayment without an accompanying grant reduction. This will happen when the current grant amount is correct and grant adjustment cannot yet begin due to quarterly reporting rules (grant or because the county is already collecting on a separate ; 2) to notify clients that grant adjustment will now begin on a previously noticed overpayment; 3) excess property overpayments (revised to be more clearly worded and to explain “good faith” budgeting). Until these forms are translated, clients in the “supported” languages of Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, and written Chinese should be sent a GEN 1365 (notice of interpretation rights) with the untranslated notices. [Download]
Summaries of select CalWORKs, CalFresh, Health and Housing Regulations
CalWORKs
ACL 11-78: CalWORKs: : Extending Benefits To Non-Minor Dependents (11/30/11)
Part of a series of letters implementing AB 12, which extends foster care to youth who meet certain criteria, through age 20 (at this point). This lettter sets out the basic “non-minor dependent” requirements for extended foster care. [Download]
ACIN I-75-11: CalWORKs Employment Bureau Policy Interpretation Request Guidelines And Analyst Assignments (11/17/11)
Information about the policy interpretation request process for counties to ask DSS policy questions. Not available for advocates (who use the WARRA process). [Download]
ACWDL 11-34: Section 1931(b) and new CalWORKs Time Limits As a Result of Senate Bill 72 (08/17/11))
This letter clarifies that beneficiaries experiencing a CalWORKs reduction or termination as a result of SB 72 should maintain Medi-Cal eligibility. SB 72 reduced the CalWORKs time-on-aid for adults from 60 months to 48 months. If any beneficiary becomes ineligible for CalWORKs solely because of the time limit changes, the county must transition these individuals to Section 1931(b) Medi-Cal and use the CalWORKs case information for the Medi-Cal case file until the next annual re-determination. [Download]
ACL 11-65: CalWORKs): New And Revised Notices Of Action (NOA) And Forms Regarding The New 48-Month Time Limit For CalWORKs Adults And Earned Income Disregards (SB 72) (10/3/11)
List of NOAs and forms that changed with the changed time limits and earned income disregards. [Download]
ACIN I-59-11: CalWORKs Program: Changes To Restricted Accounts (10/12/11)
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]