COVID-19

COVID-19 CalFresh emergency allotment for November, 2021

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California has been approved to issue an emergency allotment of CalFresh for November, 2021.  All households will receive at least the maximum CalFresh allotment.  Households eligible to receive the maximum allowable allotment based on household size are now eligible to receive an emergency allotment of $95 per month. Households who are not eligible to receive the maximum allowable allotment based on household size, but whose emergency allotment would be less than $95 per month to receive the maximum allotment, will receive additional CalFresh benefits to raise their emergency allotment to the new $95 minimum.

The emergency allotment will be issued on December 5, 2021 for CalSAWS counties and December 12, 2021 for CalWIN counties.  The emergency allotment can be issued manually if a household should have received the emergency issuance through the batch process but did not.

Moving forward, emergency allotments may be approved by FNS on a month-to-month basis until the Secretary of Health and Human Services rescinds the public health emergency.  There will be a one-month phase out of emergency allotments after the public health emergency is rescinded.  (ACWDL, November 16, 2021.)

COVID-19 SSI payment continuation extension

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In general, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claimants who have their benefits reduced or terminated must file a Request for Reconsideration within 10 days of the Notice of Determination, plus five days for mailing in order to have their benefits continue while the Request for Reconsideration is pending.  Claimants are entitled to payment continuation unless they waive that right in writing.

The Social Security Administration has decided that SSI claimants who have their benefits reduced or terminated and file a Request for Reconsideration within 60 days of the Notice of Determination, plus five days for mailing are also entitled to payment continuation unless they waive that right in writing.  The Social Security made this decision because of the hardships and difficulties claimant face because of COVID-19, and because of processing delays because of COVID-19.  This policy is in effect until April 29, 2021.

When the claimant files a Request for Reconsideration after 65 days from the date of the notice, the Request for Reconsideration can be processed and payment continuation paid if the claimant has good cause for late filing. (EM-21064, updated October 29, 2021.)

Verification of self-employment for people who received PUA

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People who received Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) were required to submit documentation showing their work history.  Starting on November 10, 2021, the Employment Development Department (EDD) will send notices by email, text message and UI Online to people who must submit their proof of work history.

In general, notices will go to PUA claimants whose claim started in 2020 and who collected benefits after December 27, 2020, and PUA claimants whose claim started in 2021. People who filed for PUA in 2021 will be required to provide documentation of their 2020 work history even if they have already provided wage information.  People who filed PUA claims after January 31, 2021 will have 21 days to submit proof of work history or request an extension.  People who filed claims before January 31, 2021 will have 90 days to submit proof of work history or request an extension. Claimants can request more time by going to the UI Online homepage and selecting “Request More Time” in the “Upload Employment Documents” section.

Documents that can be used to prove self-employment include but are not limited to business licenses, tax returns, business receipts or invoices, signed affidavits verifying self-employment, contracts or agreements, or bank statements from a business account.

Documents that can be used to prove plans for self-employment include but are not limited to business licenses, state or federal employment identification numbers, written business plans, or lease agreements.

Notices will give the exact time periods that proof work history must be submitted and deadlines for submission or for requesting an extension of time to submit documentation.  EDD will acknowledge receipt of submitted information and will follow-up with a communication indicating whether the documentation was sufficient.

If the claimant does not respond to the notice, a follow-up notice will be mailed.  Failure to respond to the notice could result in a finding that the claimant was ineligible for PUA and an allegation of an overpayment of benefits.  In those situations, EDD will send a Notice of Determination which can be appealed.  If the claimant is found to be ineligible for PUA, EDD will send a Notice of Potential Overpayment which will give the claimant another opportunity to submit information.  If EDD confirms an overpayment, the claimant will receive a Notice of Overpayment which gives the opportunity to appeal or request waiver of the overpayment.  (News Release 21-64, November 5, 2021.)

Social Security in-office appointments

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The Social Security Administration (SSA) has issued instructions about when to schedule in-office appointments.

In-office appointments are available for two reasons: 1) To address a limited critical need and the client is unable to use automated services, which includes immediate payments, death corrections, economic or health support, needing an original social security card, and needing a replacement social security card to get income, medical care or ither services or benefits; and 2) If SSA needs to review original documents.

In-office appointments are not scheduled for initial claims or redeterminations unless one of the above criteria are met.  Important documents such as driver’s licenses, passports and immigration documents should not be submitted by mail or drop box.  (EM 21056, September 8, 2021.)

County welfare department access requirements

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The California Department of Social Services has issued guidance on county welfare department access requirements.  County welfare departments must implement procedures that ensure members of the public, including those with disabilities, are notified of and have access to county welfare department programs.  Counties must conduct an annual review of the hours of operation of public offices to ensure that the needs of recipients, including those who work, are adequately met.

Regular business hours are defined as a minimum of 8 hours per day, except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.  Counties maintain an office that is open to the public that offers basic certification services during regular business hours, including accepting applications, interviewing applicants, and accepting notice of change in household circumstances. Counties can implement risk reduction measures because of COVID-19 in accordance with local county health orders, such as limiting capacity in lobbies and social distancing.

If counties must close for health and safety reasons during regular business hours, counties must

  • Make applications available and provide the opportunity to file applications for and receive benefits within legally mandated time frames, including expedited CalFresh, immediate need CalWORKs, and homeless assistance. This includes availability of application in all threshold languages for that office.  Counties must maintain sufficient staff to accept and act upon all applications, and/or maintain a local telephone service with sufficient staff to accept and act upon all applications as if the request had been made in person at the county welfare department office.
  • Provide a drop-box, mail slot or other means to file applications. Applications are assumed to be filed on the date the office is closed.  The county must have a method to give a receipt on request.
  • Inform callers to the county main telephone line of the working days or hours of the regular working day, when offices will be closed, procedures for obtaining and filing applications when offices are closed, and procedures for applying for expedited CalFresh, immediate need CalWORKs, and homeless assistance while offices are closed.
  • Post notices in prominent locations within the county welfare department offices and in the public areas, including the doors immediately outside of the office, which inform the public when offices will be closed, procedures for obtaining and filing applications when offices are closed, and procedures for applying for expedited CalFresh, immediate need CalWORKs, and homeless assistance while offices are closed and the right to a receipt of hand delivered documents. (ACIN I-83-21, October 5, 2021.)

COVID-19 CalFresh emergency allotment for October, 2021

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California has been approved to issue an emergency allotment of CalFresh for October, 2021.  All households will receive at least the maximum CalFresh allotment.  Households eligible to receive the maximum allowable allotment based on household size are now eligible to receive an emergency allotment of $95 per month. Households who are not eligible to receive the maximum allowable allotment based on household size, but whose emergency allotment would be less than $95 per month to receive the maximum allotment, will receive additional CalFresh benefits to raise their emergency allotment to the new $95 minimum.

The emergency allotment will be issued on November 14, 2021.  The emergency allotment can be issued manually if a household should have received the emergency issuance through the batch process but did not.

Moving forward, emergency allotments may be approved by FNS on a month-to-month basis until the Secretary of Health and Human Services rescinds the public health emergency.  There will be a one-month phase out of emergency allotments after the public health emergency is rescinded.  (ACWDL, October 14, 2021.)