Uncategorized

ACL 09-25: Food Stamp Application Process For Youth Who Are “Aging Out” Of Foster Care (6/16/09)

Posted on by

Starting now, but no later than August 1, 2009, counties should essentially pre-file and pend food stamps applications for youth who are expected to “age out” of the foster care system. The letter describes transmitting an application during the dependency, forwarding it to the appropriate county FS office, and holding the application for up to 30 days from the date it is received. At the time dependency is terminated, the FC staff will notify the food stamp office so that the application can be acted upon. If the dependency does not terminate when expected (within 30 days) the county is to deny the application, and “encouraged to look for” another opportunity to have the youth complete another application, thus starting the 30-day clock again.

The letter also discusses jurisdiction issues (the county of FC jurisdiction must coordinate with the county of residence/where the application must be filed), SFIS, out of county office interviews, and other FS issues. [Download]

ACWDL 09-28: Changes as a result of July 1, 2009 2.3 % payment standard reduction for the SSI / SSP program (6/17/09)

Posted on by

On July 1, 2009 there will be a 2.3% reduction to the SSI/SSP rate. To avoid problems with ARRA Medi-Cal will not implement the new SSI/SSP standard. This means anyone who is now eligible for certain programs such as the A&D FPL, DAC, DW, and 250% WDP will retain their eligibility even if their income if above the new July 1 SSI/SSP rate, if they remain in all other ways eligible. There is a new FPL program for the blind, FPLB, beginning July 1. FPLB mirrors the A&D FPL program. Individuals discontinued from SSI/SSP due to the reduction will have their eligibility redetermined through the Craig v. Bonta procedures. For individuals denied SSI/SSP for being over income after July 1 Medi-Cal will continue the application process, the date of application will be the date the individual applied for SSI. [Download]

ACIN I-46-09: Time-Eligibility For Refugee Cash Assistance And Entrant Cash Assistance Recipients (6/9/09)

Posted on by

Just letting the counties know that the state has improved automation to help cut folks off aid (to avoid overpayments). Programming changes made to the Medi-Cal Eligibility Data System (MEDS) will provide an alert 90 days before the 8 months period of eligibility ends for Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) and Entrant Cash Assistance (ECA) clients. At the end of the 90 days, the system will terminate the aid. Counties must still issue 10-day NOAs. [Download]

ACWDL 09-27: Medi-Cal for otherwise eligible U.S. Citizen and U.S. National Applicants and new Native American triabal documents acceptable for deficit reduction act authorized under CHIPRA (5/21/09)

Posted on by

This letter lays out some changes CHIPRA makes to Medi-Cal citizenship documentation requirements. The letter goes into detail regarding two changes: 1) During the reasonable opportunity period, while they are obtaining citizenship and identity documentation, otherwise eligible Medi-Cal applicants will be provided full-scope Medi-Cal. 2) There are additional tribal documents that will be accepted as proof of citizenship/ identity. [Download]

ACL 09-22: CalWORKs): Impacts Of The American Recovery And Reinvestment Act Of 2009 (6/3/09)

Posted on by

The ACL focuses on the impact to the CalWORKs program of four sections of the ARRA: (1) increased Unemployment Insurance Benefits (UIB) [counts as income]; (2) a one-time payment of $250 to recipients of Social Security, SSI, Railroad Retirement Benefits, and Veteran Disability Compensation or Pension Benefits [doesn’t count as income, and if kept exempt as resources for 9 months]; (3) a temporary increase in the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) [always was exempt, remains so]; and (4) the Making Work Pay Credit (MWPC) [not income, excluded for 2 months after receipt as resource]. [Download]