After conducting a survey on the unemployment rate of adults in federally recognized tribes, CDSS has determined which tribes experienced an unemployment rate of 50 percent or higher in 2013, providing CalWORKs and tribal TANF recipients exemptions from the CalWORKs time limits during those months of high unemployment. A recipient may still qualify for an exemption if CDSS has not recognized the tribe’s unemployment rate, but must obtain written documentation from the federally-recognized tribe that adult unemployment was 50 percent or higher during the months in question. ACL 14-108.
Summaries of select CalWORKs, CalFresh, Health and Housing Regulations
New CalWORKs form for self-certifying motor vehicle value
CDSS released the CW 80 in February, which is to be used by CalWORKs applicants and recipients to report the equity value of motor vehicles owned by the assistance unit. Only equity value in excess of $9,500 is counted against the unit’s resource limit and no equity value is counted for vehicles driven by a household member younger than 18 to commute for employment, job search or to training or education intended to lead to employment. If a recipient reports that a vehicle was a gift, donation or family transfer, he or she must obtain verification from the Department of Motor Vehicles of the transaction and provide that to the county. ACL 15-27.
Foster child caseworker visit rule changes codified
Senate Bill 382, which took effect in January 2014, changed requirements for monthly caseworker visits with foster children. The provisions of the bill are now part of amendments to Welf. & Inst. Code Section 16516.5 and 16516.6. In accordance with those sections, no more than two consecutive monthly visits can be held outside the foster child’s residence, the caseworker/social worker/probation officer must advise the foster child that she has the right to request that the private discussion occur outside the group home or foster home, and if the visit does not occur at the child’s residence, the caseworker must document the location of the visit in the case file and court report, along with the reason the visit did not take place at the child’s residence. ACL 14-50.
County instructions on entering reported income
DHCS has provided instructions on how the county should enter income information when applicants enter both or neither current monthly income or projected annual income. Currently, CalHEERS and SAWS are not programmed with appropriate changes for projected annual income. The letter includes information on how to deal with certain situations. DHCS MEDIL I 15-07 (3/9/15).
Income reporting threshold charts for CalWORKs
CalWORKs assistance units, under both semi-annual reporting and annual reporting (child only) rules, are only required to report certain changes between reporting deadlines. An increase in income to the income reporting threshold (IRT) is one change that must be reported. Assistance units must report when their incomes reach the lower of two tiers – either (1) 55% of the federal poverty level for a family of 3 (currently $907) plus the amount of income last used to calculate the assistance unit’s grant or, (2) the amount of income likely to make the assistance unit ineligible for a cash payment. The IRT chart provides the second tier amounts and is effective when it is provided to the assistance unit, though the current chart was adopted by CDSS in October 1, 2014. A new chart goes into effect April 1, 2015 and will remain in effect through September 30, 2015. ACL 15-06.
Reference charts for Medi-Cal eligibility based on 2015 FPLs
DHCS has updated its Medi-Cal eligibility ceiling charts. The effective dates for these amounts vary by program; these dates are listed in the letter. Attached to the letter are FPL calculation charts for monthly and annual income amounts, as well as a breakdown of the eligibility ceiling categories. DHCS ACWDL 15-11 (3/11/15).