In 2005 AB 205 gave registered domestic partners (RDP) the rights and responsibilities of spouses under California law; this letter details how Medi-Cal eligibility will be determined for RDPs. This letter also applies to couples who have entered into legal unions in other states that are substantially equivalent to RDPs, not including marriage. Most Medi-Cal programs are based on federal law and receive federal funding; DHCS has determined that AB 205 has no eligibility impact on those federal Medi-Cal programs. RDPs with mutual children will be treated as unmarried parents. DHCS has determined that AB 205 will impact eligibility for certain State-only funded Medi-Cal programs. The letter works through several eligibility scenarios, some involving CalWORKs and some involving Medi-Cal only determinations. [Download]
Summaries of select CalWORKs, CalFresh, Health and Housing Regulations
ACIN I-96-08: CDSS) Food Stamp Policy Interpretation And Consultation System (PICS) (12/31/08)
The just posted (a tad late!) notic of a new Policy Interpretation and Consultation System (PICS) for the Food Stamp Program. PICS is available through the internet and can be accessed by the public, including advocates. Gotta ask permission first, though. The ACIN includes instructions on how to get approved to access the PICS. [Download]
ACIN I-05-09: (CalWORKs): Changes To The Enter-County Transfer (ICT) Process (1/20/09)
SB 1160, effective 1/1/09, changes the rules re: non-needy caretaker relatives receiving CalWORKs benefits on behalf of children who are dependents of the court, who are not eligible for federal Foster Care. These relatives are now exempt from the face-to-face interview requirement in their new county of residence when the family moves from one county to another. [Download]
ACIN I-01-09: Child And Family Services Review Parent And Foster Parent Survey (1/9/09)
Just a heads up to counties: a statewide survey of foster and birth parents is scheduled to begin January 2009. As part of the requirements for the federal review of California’s IV-E Program, the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) will conduct four waves of a survey to obtain information about the frequency and quality of social work visits with parents and foster care providers. [Download]
ACWDL 09-05: 2009 statewide average private pay rate (APPR) for nursing facility services (2/2/2009)
The 2009 statewide APPR for nursing facility services is $5698. The APPR is used to calcute the period of ineligibility for transfers of nonexempt property for less than fair market value. Periods of ineligibility that began prior to 2009 are not updated with this new figure. [Download]
ACIN I-09-09: National Voter Registration Act Of 1993 (1/27/09)
Just a reminder to CWDs of their responsibilities under the Federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA). Counties must offer voter registration opportunities at all offices that provide public assistance and all offices that provide state-funded programs primarily engaged in providing services to person(s) with disabilities. A review of the do’s and don’t of NVRA, as well as asking counties to participate in a state effort to voluntarily report totals of those registered on a monthly basis. [Download]