When an individual claims to be American Indian or Alaskan Native on the single streamlined application for health coverage, income exceptions apply to MAGI Medi-Cal but not APTC eligibility. This letter discusses the specific income exclusions. ACWDL 16-02 (1/12/16).
Summaries of select CalWORKs, CalFresh, Health and Housing Regulations
Medi-Cal Eligibility information for unaccompanied refugee children
Youth in the Unaccompanied Refugee Minors program are eligible for Medi-Cal as foster youth and former foster youth. Counties are directed to following the foster youth/former foster youth eligibility instructions in ACWDL 14-41. ACWDL 16-01 (1/13/16).
No increases in 2016 Spousal Impoverishment Caps
DHCS is not raising the community spouse resource allowance or the maximum spousal income allocation under the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act. These limits will remain at $119,200 and $2981, respectively. ACWDL 15-38 (12/18/15).
Medi-Cal 1095-B forms issued
Beginning January 4, 2016, DHCS started to issue 1095-B forms to Medi-Cal beneficiaries as proof of minimum essential coverage for 2015 tax returns. Mailings were sent on a rolling basis on county and zip code. The MEDIL includes the mailing schedule and cover letter samples. MEDIL I 15-43 (12/31/15).
Bilingual and interpreter services at Local Child Support Agency offices
The California Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) issued instructions to Local Child Support Agencies (LCSAs) about providing bilingual and interpreter services. DCSS’ new policy is based on the Dymally-Alatorre Bilingual Services Act.
DCSS directed LCSAs to 1) provide interpreters for limited English proficient persons who speak a language spoken by five percent or more of the population served by the LCSA, 2) post notices in languages spoken by five percent or more of the population served by the LCSA about the availability of bilingual services upon request, 3) translate written materials, including forms, signs and literature, into languages spoken by five percent or more of the population served by the LCSA, and 4) determine and employ a sufficient number of bilingual staff in public contact positions.
DCSS included a chart of languages that are spoken by 5% of the population served by the LCSA based on the 2010 census and the American Communities Survey. CSS Letter 16-05 (February 9, 2016).
Extension of ABAWD time limit waiver
The federal government has granted California’s request for an extension of its waiver of the Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependant Children (ABAWD) time limit. The ABAWD rule limits receipt of federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits (CalFresh in California) by non-disabled adults without children to three months every three years unless they are meeting certain work requirements. Areas, including entire states, can request waiver of the ABAWD rule if their average unemployment rate is 20 percent over the national average for a recent 36 month period. California’s ABAWD waiver is now extended until December 31, 2017.
The result of the waiver is that there continues to be no time limit for receiving CalFresh benefits in California and participation on CalFresh Employment and Training Program is voluntary until January 1, 2018. ACIN I-11-16 (February 2, 2016).