The Standard Utility Allowance is up (21.5%!), to address rising utility costs. This increase is to be treated as a county-initiated mid-quarter change for all cases for the month of August 2006. Technology pulling the cart, the state has allowed counties, if they can’t program their computers fast enough, to implement this change “as soon as is administratively feasible, but no later than with the issuance of the October 2006 allotment.” The state recommends that counties mail a “mass change” notice, but otherwise, to inform recipients by posting info in the offices …. [Download]
Summaries of select CalWORKs, CalFresh, Health and Housing Regulations
Uncategorized
ACIN I-41-06 – Revised Food Stamps “Rights and Responsibilities” and EBT Account Information (June 6, 2006)
The new “R & R” form now has information for Non-Assistance Food Stamp (NAFS) to define the NAFS food stamp work requirements, exemptions, and penalties for failing to comply. This ACIN also includes a revised notice to advise clients that their food stamp EBT account is deactivated because benefits have not been used and when it is reactivated. [Download]
ACIN I-39-06 – Referral of Pregnant Women and Pregnant Minor Cases to Local Child Support Agencies (May 25, 2006)
A reminder to counties, in keeping with spirit but not the wording of Supreme Court decisions, that pregnant women and minor parents are not to be asked to assign support rights for the fetuses. Stating that unborn children are not mandatory members of the Assistance Unit, the County Welfare Department is to make no referral to Child Support Agency until the child is born. [Download]
ACIN I-40-06 – Food Stamp Simplification Options (May 31, 2006)
An unusual, early heads up from the state. The Food Stamp Reauthorization Act of 2002 allows states to simplify and improve the Food Stamp Program. California opted into certain programs, the policy changes of which will take effect October 1, 2006 (more info will come out August 2006):
1. Child Support Exclusion – legally obligated child support payments to a non-household member will be an income exclusion, rather than a deduction.
2. Exclusion of certain types of income and resources that are not counted under CalWORKs.
3. An additional resource exclusion to parallel the CalWORKs treatment of restricted accounts.
4. The elimination of the option to use actual utility costs, and the provision of a $75 Limited Utility Allowance for those households who do not qualify for the SUA (for those who pay at least two separate utilities other than heating and cooling, such as telephone, water, sewer, and garbage or trash). [Download]
ACIN I-33-06 – Access to Case Records and Use of Manual Workarounds (May 8, 2006)
Though intended to make everyone’s life easier, automation has posed many problems for counties, clients and advocates. This letter reminds counties that, regardless of what the automation system will allow, recipients and advocates must be permitted to review the entire case file, even if that means a “manual workaround.” If counties have folks review the entire file electronically, they must help show how to navigate the system. The alternative is printing out the entire file. And if the computer won’t let the worker comply with the law … manual workaround. This includes issuance of benefits and payment of Aid Paid Pending. [Download]
ACIN I-24-06 – Inter-County Transfers for CAPI (April 5, 2006)
You want it, you get it. At least if you are a county. By county request, the state has issued an Inter-County Transfer (ITC) coversheet form for the CAPI program. Along with the coversheet, a reminder that CAPI is a statewide program, so CAPI benefits should not be terminated for a recipient who moves within the state. [Download]