Several ARRA related payments will be excluded from income determination by CMSP. The payments are: Unemployment insurance benefits increase of $25; one time payment of $250 to SS, SSI, Veterans disability payment and railroad retirement recipients; $250 tax credit for state and federal employees. [Download]
Summaries of select CalWORKs, CalFresh, Health and Housing Regulations
ACL 09-02: Pre-enrollment processing (3/9/09)
This ACL reminds CMSP workers to supply form CMSP 209 to any CMSP applicant who claims to have received emergency medical services ten days prior to the first of the month in which they applied, and 209A to any client in that situation with a share of cost. The letter gives instructions on how to fill out the form and points out frequent faults in how the form is filled out. [Download]
ACWDL 09-30: Premium assistance for COBRA continuation coverage for unemployed workers and COBRA premium reduction exemption (6/18/09)
The COBRA premium reduction is considered exempt income and property under Medi-Cal. To ensure no change in eligibility, when part of a beneficiary’s premium is being paid for by the federal government Medi-Cal still counts that as a health insurance premium payment so there is not change in countable income, deductions, and share of cost. HIPP also pays for COBRA premiums for some beneficiaries. [Download]
ACL 09-25: Food Stamp Application Process For Youth Who Are “Aging Out” Of Foster Care (6/16/09)
Starting now, but no later than August 1, 2009, counties should essentially pre-file and pend food stamps applications for youth who are expected to “age out” of the foster care system. The letter describes transmitting an application during the dependency, forwarding it to the appropriate county FS office, and holding the application for up to 30 days from the date it is received. At the time dependency is terminated, the FC staff will notify the food stamp office so that the application can be acted upon. If the dependency does not terminate when expected (within 30 days) the county is to deny the application, and “encouraged to look for” another opportunity to have the youth complete another application, thus starting the 30-day clock again.
The letter also discusses jurisdiction issues (the county of FC jurisdiction must coordinate with the county of residence/where the application must be filed), SFIS, out of county office interviews, and other FS issues. [Download]
ACWDL 09-29: Addition of aid code 6G into the Medi-Cal managed care health plans (6/17/09)
As of July 1, 2009, beneficiaries in the 250% Working Diasabled Program, aid code 6G, must be in managed care in COHS counties and can choose to be in GMC and two-plan counties. [Download]
ACWDL 09-28: Changes as a result of July 1, 2009 2.3 % payment standard reduction for the SSI / SSP program (6/17/09)
On July 1, 2009 there will be a 2.3% reduction to the SSI/SSP rate. To avoid problems with ARRA Medi-Cal will not implement the new SSI/SSP standard. This means anyone who is now eligible for certain programs such as the A&D FPL, DAC, DW, and 250% WDP will retain their eligibility even if their income if above the new July 1 SSI/SSP rate, if they remain in all other ways eligible. There is a new FPL program for the blind, FPLB, beginning July 1. FPLB mirrors the A&D FPL program. Individuals discontinued from SSI/SSP due to the reduction will have their eligibility redetermined through the Craig v. Bonta procedures. For individuals denied SSI/SSP for being over income after July 1 Medi-Cal will continue the application process, the date of application will be the date the individual applied for SSI. [Download]