A redux of the 2006 letter, given the on-going problems… Unrestricted access, regardless of how the file information is kept, and “in spite of the challenges … of automated information.” It even mentions that there “may be” a due process violation for failure to comply. Automation in your way? do a manual workaround… And just to make extra clear, there’s a special section addressed to CalWIN and C-IV counties, with such great options as having a staff person help the recipient navigate all the read-only pages, or printing everything out at no cost. Finishes up with a little reminder that benefits must be issued timely, and if that pesky automation is in the way, to issue them manually. [Download]
Summaries of select CalWORKs, CalFresh, Health and Housing Regulations
ACIN I-44-07:Changes To SAWS 2 Form Regarding Utility Cost Information (8/22/07)
Food Stamp Simplification changes the rules re: utilities. Now, the SAWS2 (application) has been changed to reflect those new rules. However, CDSS has advised counties they may use existing form stock until depleted, as long as they are “vigilant” about applying current policy. Which will be tricky since it’s not specifically on the form…. But heh, the new policy has been effective since 11/1/06, so hopefully they are used to working off an incorrect application! [Download]
ACIN I-45-07: Food Stamp Benefits COLA Adjustments (8/23/07)
Announcing the annual Cost of Living changes to the Maximum Allotments, Standard Deduction, Shelter Deduction, Homeless Household Shelter Allowance, Standard Utility Allowance (SUA), Income Eligibility Standards. Includes an updated Food Stamp Tables Of Coupon Issuance chart. All changes effective October 1, 2007. [Download]
ACL 07-17: Adoption: Sibling Mutual Consent Program
Information on the new rules making it easier for adopted children to find and contact their siblings. [Download]
ACIN I-42-07: Food Stamp Q & As (8/9/07)
More of those pressing Food Stamps questions answered. Useful stuff like sponsored immigrant eligibility when the sponsor won’t cooperate (12 months through CalWORKs, before the immigrant is cut off, but FS can continue); Transitional Food Stamps (TFS) when there is Aid Paid Pending (no); TFS when there is a proposed sanction, but before it could be imposed, the family was discontinued from CalWORKs for QR 7 (yes); exempting as income contributions (any purpose) from a 3rd party, as long as used for the specified purpose, but the shelter allowance will be based on what the recipient actually pays (i.e. less the contribution towards rent); clarification that CalWORKs workstudy, in its entirety, is excluded as income for food stamps. [Download]
Errata to ACIN I-32-07E: Clarification To ACIN I-32-07: Reporting Methodology For TANF Work Participation Rates (8/6/07)
An errata to an errata, special for welfare nerds. And those of you in the position of convincing workers to leave recipients with disabilities and caring for disabled household members alone, as they are not part of the work participation count for the feds. [Download]