ACL 10-30: CalWORKs – Time On Aid Tracking Changes For TANF Timed-out Cases (6/11/10)

The state has made changes the time on aid tracking system. The Office of the Inspector General and subsequent direction from the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) required a change in California’s interpretation of the TANF hardship rule, necessitating modifications in the funding and claiming instructions. Aid codes 32 and 3W are now state-only funding. These changes required a change in the state’s time on aid tracking system as well. These cases are now not listed on the federal time on aid chart, nor do they count against the state’s 20% hardship limit. [Download]

ACIN I-32-10: Retention Of Records (6/14/10)

An alert about the requirement to retain child welfare case information for children who have been in foster care and Title IV-E eligibility documentation for existing Kinship Guardianship Assistance Payment (Kin-GAP) program cases beyond the three-year period required by MPP section 31-075. ACF has rescinded its previous interpretation to now allow FFP for existing relative guardianship cases, which may make existing Kin-GAP cases eligible. [Download]

ACIN I-16-10: Public Charge (6/8/10)

Clarification regarding “public charge” for immigration purposes. The Notice includes a USCIS Fact Sheet, which provides general information and specifically states that Food Stamp benefits is not a “public cash assistance program for income maintenance,” that would trigger public charge considerations. After very helpful information about why immigrants fear seeking benefits, DSS encourages the counties to work with immigrant community partners to produce a county-developed flyer to better inform and reduce the potential of eligible households
not applying for food stamp benefits due to misinformation. The state also suggests counties share this information with noncitizen households at application and recertification to help alleviate the fear of being considered a “public charge” in the Food Stamp Program. [Download]