On February 1, 2011, Modified Categorical Eligibility (MCE) is expanding to all NACF households! This means that any household (those with children, ABAWD’s and aged/disabled) that got/gets a PUB 275 brochure (or is told where to find it online) can get CalFresh benefits without regard to resources. If the CWD is unable to implement MCE for all NACF applicant households on February 1, 2011, CWDs must restore lost benefits as soon as administratively feasible. [Download]
Summaries of select CalWORKs, CalFresh, Health and Housing Regulations
Uncategorized
ACL 11-04: CalWORKs Family Reunification Services – Q & A (1/27/11)
After a CPS removal of children from the home, the parents can continue to get CalWORKs WTW services as part of a Family Reunification (FR) plan, for up to 180 days (with good cause extensions). This letter transmits a series of questions and answers initiated by counties regarding FR services. Parents on sanction or penalty (WTW, school attendance, immunization, etc.) can also be required to have an FR plan, but not those ineligible for CalWORKs (e.g. SSI, timed out, barred nonviolent (drug) felons, etc.) Parents in a voluntary placement can have a voluntary FR plan. Cases that are closed for “no eligible child” can be reopened, without reapplication, as a CalWORKs FR case. Families which have children remaining in the home are not FR cases (as all children must be gone). [Download]
ACL 11-06: Sponsor Deeming, Indigent Noncitizen Determination And Sponsor Income Verification (1/12/11)
The long awaited for clarifying letter on indigent sponsor deeming in CalFresh. FNS clarified that California’s policy was not correct, and the letter rescinds it. Counties cannot request verification of income from the sponsor prior to making the indigency determination, based on income actually received. If the immigrant reports receiving income from the sponsor, but the sponsor won’t verify it, the county is to accept an affidavit. Reviews “opting out” and how to treat immigrants who choose not to apply for themselves, and that there is never deeming to children (and other deeming limits. Counties, when taking action on cases, or at recertification, are to reviews sponsored noncitizens cases to see if they were inappropriately denied an indigent exemption. If so, the county should issue corrective benefits. [Download]
ACIN I-05-11: Father Engagement Strategies (1/11/11)
Info on CDSS strategies for “Father engagement,” specifically within the child welfare system. Targeted inclusion of fathers, from prevention and early intervention, through assessment and planning, to the provision of services, to help strengthen families. DSS did a study is called “Supporting Father Involvement” (SFI), and is now disseminating the SFI results, and supporting the design and implementation of plans to assist public child welfare agencies with enhancing their efforts to involve fathers. [Download]
ACIN I-01-11: CDSS Fraud Bureau – New Contact Information (1/6/11)
New address, phone numbers and staff roster for the Fraud folks. [Download]
ACL 11-03: FY) 2010/11 Allocation Of Funds For The Transitional Housing Placement Program (THPP) And Transitional Housing Program-Plus (THP-Plus) (1/7/11)
The latest in THPP and THP-Plus allocations, includes the funding reductions to both these programs due to the reduction in Child Welfare Services Program. [Download]