ACL 14-54: Agricultural Act Of 2014 (Farm Bill): CalFresh Changes (5/29/14)

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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]

ACL 14-38: New Health Rights And Social Worker And Probation Officer Responsibility To Educate Foster Children And Non-Minor Dependents On Foster Youth Personal Rights (6/16/14)

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Instructions about health and personal rights. WIC 16001.9 specifies that minors and non-minor dependents shall have the same rights, and be informed of them every six months.  All youth 12 or older also shall get age appropriate information on reproduction, and pregnancy and STD prevention.  [Download]

 

 

ACL 14-36: CDSS Title IV-E Foster Care Candidacy Policy And Procedures (5/20/14)

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Following up on a federal review of cases claimed for federal foster care, DSS has issued clarification.  Some of it was procedural (failure to list requisite language or get all the needed signatures) and some was more substantive (no policies or procedures in place to identify foster care candidates).  The letter goes through all the findings and the steps to ensure compliance. [Download]

DHCS MEDIL I 14-35: Interim Non-Payment of Premium (NPP) Processes (6/18/14)

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This letter updates counties about the process they should use for terminating TLICP beneficiaries for non-payment of premiums.  For clients in non-payment of premium status, there are no redetermination requirements prior to sending a NOA to discontinue the client unless there’s a change in circumstances.  The letter also provides a sample discontinuance notice.

For clients in aid codes H3 and H5, counties will provide a timely notice and terminate eligibility through MEDS.  For clients in aid code 5D (Healthy Families Program transition), counties would need to submit a remedy ticket to DHCS after providing timely notice.

To cure the situation and prevent termination, clients must pay past premiums prior to date of discontinuance.  If client misses that date but pays within 30 days of date of discontinuance to cure, county must verify payment and reinstate or submit a remedy ticket.  After the 30 day cure period, the client would need to reapply; any owed amounts would be charged as part of the first month’s premium.

DHCS ACWDL 14-27: Additional Express Lane Enrollment Guidance (6/16/14)

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This letter clarifies questions about the CalFresh Express Lane Enrollment procedures for Medi-Cal, particularly about aid code 7S (those individuals eligible for Medi-Cal under pre-ACA rules).

  • Parents, guardians and caretakers relatives are to be put in aid code 7S as opposed to aid code 7U. These individuals will be eligible even if a child is not on CalFresh or Medi-Cal; the children only have to meet the age and residence requirements.
  • DHCS will transfer Medicare beneficiaries in Express Lane aid codes to aid code 7S.
  • Those who are found ineligible for CalFresh will be sent RFTHIs to determine Medi-Cal eligibility.

Additionally, the letter discusses discontinuance NOAs for Express Lane beneficiaries upon change of circumstances or expiration.  NOAs will be generated by SAWS, and beneficiaries will be referred for APTC/CSR determinations with a special enrollment period.

Finally, Express Lane enrolled individuals are eligible for retroactive months of coverage up to February 2014.  For determination of months before February, individuals will need to submit a RFTHI (for January 2014) or a full pre-ACA application (for December 2013 and before).