A reminder to counties that it is time to turn in the annual Ethnic Origin and Language information. [Download]
Summaries of select CalWORKs, CalFresh, Health and Housing Regulations
ACIN I-47-14: Revised Family Fee Schedule (8/13/14)
This Notice issues the revised family fee schedule for subsidized child care, effective July 1, 2014. The revised fees will not exceed 10 percent of the family’s monthly income. [Download]
ACL 14-56: CalFresh Modified Categorical Eligibility (8/22/14)
Comprehensive information regarding CalFresh Categorical Eligibility (“MCE”). Culminating several other “Cat El” changes, with the passage of SB 855 effective July 1, 2014, all households with gross income at or below 200 percent of the FPL, must be conferred MCE status if the file documents their receipt of the TANF service (PUB 275). All counties must immediately implement a 200 percent FPL gross income level for MCE for all Non-Assistance (NACF) households. Until automation is programmed, this must be done manually.
For any case pending as of July 1, 2014, if automation indicates ineligibility for a non-aged/disabled CalFresh applicant household because of the 130 percent FPL gross income limit, the county must pull the case and manually verify whether eligibility under MCE status exists because of gross income at or under 200 percent FPL. Additionally, counties must check any applications that were denied for exceeding gross income since July 1, 2014, as well as applications denied in June where the 30 day processing would have gone into July. Corrective action must be taken on any cases that would have been eligible under the MCE 200 percent FPL gross income test. [Download]
ACL 14-59: CalWORKs Domestic Abuse Waiver Policy Clarification (8/21/14)
Clarification of domestic abuse program waivers criteria, and a review of noticing and safety protocols. DSS has determined that there must be a linkage to Welfare to Work to get a DV waiver. This guidance supersedes ACIN I-02-06. [Download]
ACWDL 14-30: 2014/2015 Family Member Base Allocation Amount (August 11, 2014)
DHCS issued this letter to update the family member base allowance from $1,939 to $1,967. This allowance is used to determine how much a long-term care beneficiary may allocate to family members living with a community spouse.
ACWDL 14-29: Interim Non-Payment of Premium (NPP) Processes for the Optional Targeted Low-Income Children Program (August 8, 2014)
DHCS issued guidelines for counties to proceed on discontinuing Optional Targeted Low-Income Children Program cases on the basis of non-payment of premiums (NPP). The counties have experienced a backlog of NPPs that should have been terminated. DHCS has determined that premium payment status is an eligibility condition, so there are no redetermination requirements unless there’s a reported change in circumstances.
For those on aid codes H3 and H5, NPPs will be sent a timely NOA and terminated accordingly. Beneficiaries must pay past-due premiums before termination to preserve eligibility. If a beneficiary pays past-due premiums after discontinuance but within 30 days, coverage can be reinstated without a break in coverage. After 30 days, the beneficiary will need to reapply. Those on aid code 5D will proceed similarly.
The letter includes sample discontinuance language for NOAs.