CAPI

Increase in CAPI payment standard

Posted on by

The payment standard for the Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) program is increasing by $10 per month for an individual and $20 per month for a couple effective June 1, 2019.  This increase is because of the end of the SSI cash-out.  CAPI recipients received less than SSI/SSP recipients because they were eligible for CalFresh but SSI/SSP recipients were not and received an extra $10 per month for an individual and $20 per month for a couple.  Because SSI/SSP recipients will be eligible for CalFresh instead of receiving the extra cash benefit beginning June 1, the CAPI payment standard is increasing to match the SSI/SSP payment standard.

Counties and CAPI consortia must send each of their CAPI recipients a notice of action reflecting this grant increase.  (ACIN I-23-19, April 8, 2019.)

CAPI state interim assistance reimbursement authorization

Posted on by

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued instructions regarding recovery of state interim assistance to Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) applicants while their applications are pending or during suspense periods prior to reinstatement of CAPI benefits.  The state interim assistance program allows counties to recover General Assistance or General Relief, and other types of cash or in-kind assistance paid to individuals while their CAPI application is pending from a retroactive CAPI award.  Counties may not recover state interim assistance reimbursement for payments or in-kind benefits financed wholly or partially with federal funds.  In addition to General Assistance or General Relief, state interim assistance can include food, clothing, shelter, personal and hygiene supplies or transportation passes.

To recover state interim assistance, the applicant must sign the SOC 455 form and CAPI benefits are granted.  The SOC 455 form is valid for only one year.  The county must also send a written notice of action NA 693 when recovering state interim assistance.

State interim assistance is separate from interim assistance recovery from SSI benefits, which is done through the Social Security Administration and requires signing of the SSP 14 form.  (ACIN I-24-19, April 8, 2019.)

Disability and domestic violence questions computer system flags

Posted on by

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued directions regarding AB 2030.  AB 2030 requires CDSS to include in any amendments or revisions to standard application or semi-annual reporting forms after January 1, 2019 that allow applicants or recipients to disclose disabilities, the need for reasonable accommodations because of a disability and any experiences of domestic violence. 

CDSS states that initial application forms and semiannual report will capture the need for reasonable accommodations the next time they are revised.

The current welfare computer system vary in how they flag reasonable accommodations.  CalWIN has an icon for disability accommodations that is displayed in the upper-right side of the “Display Individual Demographics Summary” window.  CalACES North (formerly known as C-IV) can flag cases with an indicator type that county users can select (special accommodations, special circumstances etc.)  CalACES South (formerly known as LRS) allows any county user with access to falg a case to alert the first point of contact.  These flags are identified by a banner at the top of every page.  (ACL 19-13, February 21, 2019.)

EBT skimming and scams

Posted on by

The California Department of Social Services has issued instructions regarding replacement of electronic benefits transfers (EBT) stolen by skimming or scams.  Skimming is using electronic equipment to capture the recipients’ EBT card and create a counterfeit card.  Scams involve deceiving or misleading a recipient to provide their account information and then using that information to create a counterfeit card.

Claims for electronic theft are made using the EBT 2259 form.  Recipients can contact either the EBT Customer Service Helpline or the county welfare department. 

In addition to the EBT 2259 form, recipients are required to file a police report unless there is good cause.  The police report number is required on the EBT 2259 form but a copy of the report is not required.  Good cause for not filing a police report includes that the police department does not accept reports of identity theft or financial fraud, the police department does not provide interpreter services for non-English speakers, there is a fee to file the police report, the police department does not provide disability accommodations, the recipient does not have transportation, and submitting a report in person would interfere with participation in welfare-to-work activities.

Counties review the EBT 2259 form and determine if it is complete and whether the allegations are consistent with typical scamming practices.  If the claim does not allege typical scamming practices it is considered for further review.  In addition, counties must verify that benefits for the recipient have not been restored because of scamming in the last 36 months. 

Recipients must file an electronic theft claim within 90 days.

Counties have 10 days to issue repayment unless there is a fraud investigation or over $2,000 is involved.  The reimbursement is not counted as income or property in the month received or the next month.  (ACL 18-148, December 31, 2018.)

Update: People reporting electronic theft no longer need to contact the electronic benefits transfer vendor prior to submitting the form EBT 2259 to the county.  People reporting electronic theft must contact the county within 10 days of the loss, and file the EBT 2259 form with the county within 90 days of the loss. People no longer are required to file a police report to submit the form EBT 2259 and get replacement benefits.  (ACL 23-13, January 27, 2023.)

SOGI self-identification

Posted on by

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.)

The end of SSI cash-out

Posted on by

The California Department of Social Services has issued instructions implementing the end of SSI cash-out.  SSI/SSP recipients are ineligible for CalFresh.  Instead, SSI/SSP recipients receive an extra $10 per month in SSP benefits.  AB 1811 Sections 38-41 end the SSI cash-out.  When implemented, this change will make SSI/SSP recipients eligible for CalFresh. The change will be implemented on June 1, 2019.  If automation cannot be completed implementation can be delayed until August 1, 2019. Newly eligible households, that is new applicants in which all members are SSI/SSP recipients, will be eligible for CalFresh as of the implementation date.  If a newly-eligible SSI/SSP only household submits an application within the calendar month prior to implementation, the county must process the application but will not issue benefits until the implementation date.

SSI/SSP recipients in ongoing households will be eligible for CalFresh at the household’s next periodic report, annual recertification, or when voluntarily requested by the household.  A new application will not be required to add an SSI/SSP recipient to an ongoing household.

Grants under the Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants increase by $10 per individual and $20 per couple.  SSI/SSP recipients will be eligible for the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations.

All SSI/SSP recipients will be considered elderly and/or disabled household members for CalFresh purposes.

Income, resources and deductions of the SSI/SSP recipient will be considered when determining CalFresh eligibility.  Households in which all members of household receive SSI/SSP will be considered categorically eligible for CalFresh. This means that no additional verification is needed for resources, gross or net income, Social Security Number, sponsored immigrant information or residency.

Households will not be required to report termination of SSI/SSP mid-period.  However, if termination of SSI/SSP becomes known to the county it must take action mid-period.

Transitional CalFresh cases will be treated like other ongoing CalFresh cases.

Counties must provide reasonable accommodations for the disabilities of newly eligible SSI/SSP recipients. (ACL 18-90, July 31, 2018)