Information to help counties “evaluate the needs for benefit issuance in the event of a disaster.” Learn about such things as pre-embossed disaster EBT cards, EBT “interface systems” (with the scar reminder that they may require “priority modifications” to the counties’ eligibility systems). This 27 page letter also reviews which agencies do what, and how to trigger Disaster Food Stamps. [Download]

Well, it’s not October 1, 2006 anymore, it’s November 1, 2006. A few new words, and a few new forms. [Download]

This notice, ironically issued on 9/11, transmits the higher shelter costs (a whopping $17) effective October 1, 2006, as well as a new eligibility/verification chart, income and resource guidelines and disaster verification requirements. [Download]

Who’s who in the zoo. Did you know there is an “employment, forms, and disaster” unit? The policy interpretations are still limited to counties, after review by the FRAT team (no keg party) for “statewideness.” [Download]

This letter explains the new Food Stamps changes, hitting the street 10/1/06. Changes include: (1) legally obligated child support payments will be an income exclusion rather than as an income deduction (so lowers income prior to gross income test); (2) exclusion of certain restricted accounts as a resource; (3) exclusion of certain types of income that are excluded for CalWORKs; (4) elimination of actual utility costs in lieu of a SUA, but instead there is no prorating of utilities for non-household members; (5) implementation of a Limited Utility Allowance (LUA) for households that do not qualify for the SUA, and, (6) allowance of a Telephone Utility Allowance (TUA) for households not qualified to receive a SUA or LUA.

The letter includes the proposed regulations. All changes will be treated as county-initiated mid-month change for quarterly reporters, except the restricted accounts, which must be reviewed prior to being excluded. [Download]