A reminder to counties that when determining the amount of a CalFresh overissuance, the amount of the overissuance is based on the initial amount of the CalFresh benefit. In cases where there is an existing overissuance recouped by benefit reduction, the amount of a recoupment for another type of overissuance is based on the initial CalFresh benefit issued for the household, not from the adjusted benefit. Example provided. [Download]
Summaries of select CalWORKs, CalFresh, Health and Housing Regulations
ACIN I-25-14: Working With Families Who Move Interstate (5/14/14)
Promising practices intended to reduce barriers to the provision of child welfare services to intact families who relocate to other states. If a family with an open emergency response referral that indicates safety risk moves, the worker should contact the new jurisdiction and alert them of the family’s presence and status. When the relocation of a family is a component of the case or safety plan, the caseworker is encouraged to obtain a release of information from the custodial parent that would allow for the sharing of information during and after the move to the new state. [Download]
ACIN I-21-14: The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Of 2003 And Its Impact On California Foster Care Group Homes (6/17/14)
The PREA of 2003 requires development of standards for detection, prevention, reduction, and punishment of prison rape. In addition to adult criminal justice facilities, PREA applies to juvenile “confinement” facilities, such as Juvenile halls, camps, ranches, detention and other commitment facilities for youth in California’s delinquency system. Group home foster care placements, whether probation or child welfare supervised, are not confinement” facilities and therefore not covered by the PREA requirements. However, the letter reminds counties that group home foster care placements must ensure compliance with existing state statutory and regulatory placement, supervision and reporting standards designed to prevent maltreatment and abuse of children residing in group homes and other community care facilities. [Download]
ACIN I-15-14: Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Updates (2/28/14)
Passing on recent updates to EBT cardholder materials, re: surcharge free locations, anti-trafficking information and alters about scams. [Download]
ACIN I-14-14E: errata: Work Incentive Nutritional Supplement (WINS) Food Supplment (5/30/14)
The errata changes some “must” to “should”, clarification on Transitional CalFresh eligibility is unchanged, but if the household income is over 200% FPL, they won’t get the WINS payment. The errata also clarifies mid-period reporting: SAR reporters who report working to get the WINS payment should be informed of the overall negative impact the reporting may have on the benefits (benefits reduced for work income larger than WINS supplement, and not acted upon unless the reported was “Verified Upon Receipt”; if change reporters report income, it must be processed regardless of any allotment reduction. Includes revised forms with clarifying language. [Download]
ACL 14-54: Agricultural Act Of 2014 (Farm Bill): CalFresh Changes (5/29/14)
Implementing instructions regarding changes to the SNAP program that impact CalFresh. Certain provisions require “immediate” implementation, while others cannot be implemented until the federal rulemaking process is completed. Of note, there was a change to the “Heat and Eat” LIHEAP/SUA provisions…which are addressed in the budget trailer bill. (States had to meet a higher contribution to allow all households to get the SUA.) Therefore, contingent upon approval of the Governor’s May Revision Budget, CWDs must provide the SUAS payment for all ongoing households which will benefit from receiving the SUAS payment with certification periods effective April, May, June, July, August, September and October 2014 no later than
November 30, 2014. Ongoing households, which will benefit from receiving the SUAS payment recertified on or after November 1, 2014 must be provided with the SUAS payment no later than the last day of the first month of their new certification period.
The Farm Bill also prohibits certain “recruitment, ” banning billboard, TV, and radio ads that promote enrollment in the program. [Download]