EBT surcharge free network and text message information

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The California Department of Social Services has issued information about the new Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) surcharge-free ATM network.  The new network is attached to the notice and will be mailed to the clients with a cover letter.  The new network includes all Bank of America ATMs in California.  However, effective February 1, 2019, ATMs in the MoneyPass network will no longer be surcharge-free.  A list of surcharge-free ATMs is on the EBT Client Website. 

Clients will no longer be charged balance inquires or for withdrawls after the fourth withdrawal in a month.

Clients can now get information about their EBT account via text message.  Clients need to register their cell phone number on the EBT Client Website.  After doing that, they can get their account balance, surcharge-free ATMs in their area, all ATMs in their area, and restaurants, stores and farmers markets in their area that accept EBT.  (ACIN I-88-18, December 28, 2018.)

SOGI self-identification

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The California Department of Social Services has issued instructions implementing voluntary self-identification of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI).  Although counties must ask about SOGI, applicant or recipient responses are voluntary.  CDSS has created form CW 2223 for this purpose.  Counties must use the CW 2223 for applications and redetermination/recertifications.  All primary caretaker relatives, including minor parents/caretaker relatives, who elect to disclose this information complete their own CW 2223 form.  Applicants and recipients must be given the opportunity to complete the form regardless of whether the application or redetermination/recertification is done by phone, in person or on line.  For example, if the interview is done by phone, the form should be mailed to the client.

The CW 2223 is not programmed into the county computer systems.  The letter contains instructions for how county workers need to enter the information into the computer systems. 

For CAPI only cases, the CAPI application includes optional SOGI questions so the CW 2223 form does not need to be used.

Counties should do periodic training of front line staff on SOGI sensitivity and best practices.  According to CDSS, some best practices include explaining why the questions are being asked and that the responses are confidential, and using gender-neutral language such as partner or significant other.  (ACL 18-133, November 8, 2018.)

ABAWD 15% exemptions

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The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued instructions regarding allocation and use of the 15% exemptions for counties implementing the Able Bodied Adults Without Dependants (ABAWD) requirement.

The ABAWD requirements is that able bodied persons age 18 to 49 are eligible for CalFresh for only 3 full months in a 36 month period unless they are exempt or satisfying work requirements.  Federal law gives each state individual exemptions equal to 15% of its annual caseload.  These exemptions allow counties to extend CalFresh eligibility to ABAWDs who would otherwise be ineligible.  Each exemption is equal to one full month of CalFresh eligibility for one ABAWD.

The 15% exemptions are only available to persons at risk of losing CalFresh benefits for not satisfying work requirements.  California has established equivalent exemptions for persons receiving California Food Assistance Program benefits.  People serving a sanction are ineligible for a 15% exemption.

For the period September 1, 2018 to August 31, 2019, San Francisco, Santa Clara and San Mateo counties are subject to the ABAWD requirement.  The ABAWD requirement is implemented by first assessing persons subject to the ABAWD requirement and screening for exemptions, second engaging ABAWDs to find additional work or participate in qualifying work activities, then third providing 15% exemption to maintain food assistance.

For fiscal year 2018, California has 866,894 15% exemptions including exemptions carried over from prior years.  (ACIN I-72-18, October 30, 2018.)

Current index of California child support policies

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The Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) has issued an index of child support program policies.  The index indicates which policies are current, obsolete, superseded or informational.  DCSS is working on a procedures manual to provide guidance and this index is part of that project.

This index is important because it provides a reference for which DCSS letters and other policy documents can currently be relied upon.  (CSSP Letter 18-10, December 18, 2018.)

Child Support enforcement against concurrent SSI and Social Security benefits

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The federal Office of Child Support Enforcement has issued guidance regarding enforcement of child support orders against persons who receive either concurrent SSI and Social Security Disability or concurrent SSI and Social Security Retirement benefits.

States can close cases where the obligor parent receives concurrent SSI and Social Security Disability or concurrent SSI and Social Security Retirement benefits.

States cannot garnish concurrent SSI and Social Security Disability or concurrent SSI and Social Security Retirement benefits.  States cannot send income withholding orders to Social Security to withhold the Social Security Disability or Social Security Retirement portions of concurrent benefits.  If benefits are improperly garnished, they must be returned within 5 business days after the child support agency makes that decision.  States can continue to garnish benefits from obligors who receive only Social Security Disability or only Social Security Retirement.

(PIQ 18-02, June 25, 2018.)

Change to Adoption Assistance Program eligibility

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The California Department of Social Services has issued instructions regarding a change in federal law about eligibility for Adoption Assistance Program benefits.  Effective October 1, 2017, children who are under age 2 and will not turn age two within the current fiscal year are ineligible for federal Adoption Assistance Program benefits.  Initial Adoption Assistance Program agreements signed between October 1, 2017 and December 31, 2017 will remain in effect.  Initial agreements signed after January 1, 2018 will need to be reassessed

Such children can be eligible for Adoption Assistance Program benefits if they are placed with a sibling who meets the applicable child standard, they meet the nonapplicable child standard or the meet the standard for state-only Adoption Assistance benefits.

Nonapplicable children are:

1) The child met the AFDC eligibility requirements in the home of removal at the time the child was removed, the child’s removal and either a) the child’s removal from the home was based on a judicial determination, b) the child was voluntarily relinquished to a licensed public or private adoption agency with a petition to the court to remove the child or a judicial determination that remaining in the home would be against the child’s interest within six months of removal, or c) the child was voluntarily placed with a public agency and received at least one month of Foster Care benefits;

2) At least one Foster Care payment was made on behalf of the child’s minor parent;

3) The child received Adoption Assistance Program benefits with respect to a prior adoption that dissolved because of termination of the adoptive parent’s parental rights or the death of an adoptive parent; or

4) The child is eligible for Supplemental Security Income benefits.

(ACL 18-122, October 18, 2018.)