ACL 08-15: Department Of Homeland Security Interim Final Rule On New Classification For Victims Of Criminal Activity; Eligibility For U Nonimmigrant Status (4/4/08)

The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000 created U Nonimmigrant Status for certain victims of criminal activity. The feds created U Visa Interim Relief, since U Visa regulations not forthcoming. (See ACL No. 06-60 and ACIN No. I-41-07). An Interim Final Rule regarding New Classification for Victims of Criminal Activity and Eligibility for U Nonimmigrant Status has now been issued, effective October 17, 2007.

Now that an Interim Final Rule has been issued, USCIS stopped accepting U Visa Interim Relief applications after October 17, 2007. New applicants for SB 1569 benefits must now present evidence that they have filed for a U Visa (or have obtained one) if they do not have proof that they filed for U Visa Interim Relief before October 17, 2007. The letter includes an exemplary list of acceptable evidence. (Forms I-797, I-918, Form I-797; employment Authorization Document Category A19 or A20, etc.)

USCIS has indicated that petitioners who have previously been granted interim relief and have filed a Form I-918 for a U Visa will have their interim relief extended until USCIS completes its adjudication of the application. Therefore, cases determined eligible based on a request for U Visa Interim Relief prior to October 17, 2007 may remain eligible if a U Visa application has been filed (or a U Visa has been issued) or until a denial of interim relief has been issued. USCIS anticipates issuing the Final Rule on nonimmigrant U Visas sometime in the fall of 2008. [Download]

ACWDL 08-13: Errata to all county welfare directors letter 07-26 (4/3/2008)

This letter has revisions to the effective date of the 2008 SSI/SSP cash grant levels. The SSP COLA increases originally scheduled for June 1, 2008 have been delayed. The ACWDL includes handy charts showing the rates from January 1, 2008 to September 30, 2008 and from October 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008. The rate for an independently living couple where both are aged or disabled rises from the current $1,524 to $1,558 on October 1. [Download]

ACWDL 08-12: Economic stimulus act of 2008 (4/3/2008)

Any credits or refunds from the stimulus package are not to be counted as income or resources for the month of receipt and the following two months. Woohoo! [Download]

Also please note, for anyone who regularly checks for new all county welfare director letters, new letters are now only posted on the DHCS website. The DHS website has older letters but it appears the site is no longer being updated as new letters come out.

ACIN I-20-08: Psychotropic Medications (3/26/08)

Part of an ongoing series of letters to ensure correct data reporting and documentation in child welfare cases. This one pertains to Authorized Psychotropic Medication, which must be reported under W&IC § 16010’s requirement to maintain a health and education record that includes current medications, including those prescribed to manage a mental health condition.

For dependents of the juvenile court with a prescribed psychotropic medication, court authorization or parental consent for the administration of the medication shall be documented in the child’s record. Part of an ongoing series of letters to ensure correct data reporting and documentation in child welfare cases. This one pertains to Authorized Psychotropic Medication, which must be reported under W&IC § 16010’s requirement to maintain a health and education record that includes current medications, including those prescribed to manage a mental health condition. [Download]

ACIN I-26-08: 2008 Cost-Of-Living Adjustments That Affect CAPI (4/1/08)

With love from the state, a CAPI Payment Standards chart with the grant that will be effective on October 1, 2008. There are no changes to the 2008 rates for the Presumed Maximum Value of In-Kind Support and Maintenance, Allowance for Ineligible Children in Deeming Situations, Sponsor’s Allocation in Deeming Situations, or COLA Coordination When One Spouse Receives SSI/SSP as a result of this change. [Download]

ACIN I-23-08: IHSS Provider Direct Deposit (PDD) (3/27/08)

This ACIN provides descriptions of outreach and enrollment activities that will occur prior to implementation, the ongoing processes for administering PDD and modifications to CMIPS screens that will allow counties to identify payments made to providers via PDD.  The CDSS will be implementing PDD on May 1, 2008, as an optional way for providers to receive their IHSS payroll warrants.  Providers who wish to continue to receive their pay warrants in the mail do not need to return the Provider Direct Deposit Enrollment/Change/Cancellation form or take any other action.  Our buddies at EDS will distribute and process all PDD mailings, as well as enrollments, changes and cancellations.  When a deposit fails, EDS will request issuance of a paper warrant to the provider and the provider will be required to re-enroll in PDD.  [Download]