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]
Summaries of select CalWORKs, CalFresh, Health and Housing Regulations
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]
ACL 14-39: CalWORKs: COLA Increase To The Minimum Basic Standard Of Adequate Care Levels (6/12/14)
Announcing the increase of 2.17% in the need standard (not the grant). Effective July 1, 2014. Includes the new charts by region, and the new income in kind valuations. [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)
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)
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)
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.