This letter suggests that counties explore Diversion payments for evacuees, so they don’t use up their 60 months of TANF time; reminds counties that emergency and disaster assistance payments are exempt, so FEMA and American Red Cross relief will not impact Katrina evacuees’ CalWORKs eligibility. The ACIN also has some Q and A’s, including: evacuees are subject to work requirements and time limits, but Counties should make a WTW good cause or exemption determination as appropriate if the family is in crisis; drug felon and finger imaging rules still apply (but applicants are not to be made to come in to an office JUST to get imaged); though homeless evacuee families are change reporters for Food Stamps, they are quarterly for CalWORKs (though it is “anticipated that the majority of homeless AUs will obtain permanent housing via the Homeless Assistance program.”)
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Summaries of select CalWORKs, CalFresh, Health and Housing Regulations
Uncategorized
ACL 05-28 – Food Stamp Overissuance and Dormant EBT Accounts (September 15, 2005)
Never to miss an opportunity, CDSS has created a new Notice of Action that informs food stamps recipients with overpayments that collection will occur from unused EBT balances, if the recipient has not accessed the EBT account in more than 90 days. [Download]
ACIN I-68-05 – Parent-to-child Deeming Procedures for CAPI (October 6, 2005)
Oops. The state forgot to do parent-to-child deeming in 1998. They realized their mistake and are now issuing the instructions and worksheet. Parent-to-Child deeming applies whenever a minor child under age 18 lives with his or her parent(s), including step-parents. The parent–to-child deeming rules are applied through the month in whch the child attains age 18. The ACIN also sets out the allowance for ineligible household members also supported by the parent-sponsor, as well as the allowance for the parent him/herself. [Download]
ACIN I-63-05 – New Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D) (October 3, 2005)
Initial information about the affect of the Medicare Part D program (phasing out the Drug Discount Card, beginning January 1, 2006.) As a result, the Food Stamps program will return to the former policy of considering only unreimbursed out-of pocket expenses for prescription drugs for determining a household’s medical deduction. “Implementation of Part D may require that Food Stamp Program county staff assist applicants in filing out applications for Part D enrollment. However, eligibility determinations for enrollment will be made by the Social Security Administration.” The letter also includes a Q & A. [Download]
Income Exclusion for Benefits Paid to Children of Vietnam Veterans with Certain Birth Defects (September 19, 2005).
FNS writes that “It has recently come to our attention that under Public Laws 104-204 and 106-419, benefits paid by the Veterans Administration to the children of Vietnam veterans born with congenital spina bifida and certain other birth defects are excludable as income for food stamp purposes.” The law was passed in 1997, and broadened in 2001. Heh, better late than never.
ACL 05-24 – Foster Care and Kin-GAP Program Rates (September 22, 2005)
The hard to get rates are now posted in this ACL. Don’t forget to ask for special need payments! [Download]