Barely a month old, and already in need of correction! Two questions and answers recently published in ACIN I-05-08 regarding the recertification NOMI process are being made obsolete. CDSS is drafting an ACL informing CWDs of a new policy change regarding the NOMI process at recertification to be released in early Spring. [Download]
Summaries of select CalWORKs, CalFresh, Health and Housing Regulations
ACIN I-12-08: Implementation Of New Readoption Provisions For Intercountry Adoptions (2/25/08)
Senate Bill 1393 amended Family Code Section 8919 to include specific requirements that must be met in order for a a California Superior Court to issue a final readoption order. (Readoption is the process of completing a second adoption in California after a foreign born child has been adopted in a foreign country by California residents.) Currently, readoption in California is not mandatory by California law, but may be required by the federal government for immigration purposes.
The bill also establishes alternative requirements for readoption when the original adoption occurred in a country whose adoption laws have been certified by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) as meeting or exceeding those of California’s. The countries eligible for certification are: China, Guatemala, Kazakhstan, Russia, and South Korea. The certification process is currently being developed by the CDSS. When these countries have been certified, the state will provide further instructions. A new birth certificate shall be established by the State Registrar upon receipt of a readoption order issued by the Superior Court. [Download]
ACWDL 08-05: New Federal Poverty levels (2/14/2008)
The new Medi-Cal FPL chart is here. For most Medi-Cal programs these new levels do not go into effect until April. There is also a Sneede v. Kizer chart based on the new poverty levels. [Download]
PIH 2008-12: Enhanced voucher requirements for over-housed families (2/15/08)
This HUD Notice, PIH 2008-12, establishes new improved policies for “over-housed” families receiving enhanced vouchers following the loss of federally subsidized housing, e.g. project-based Section 8 opt outs, prepayment of HUD-subsidized mortgages. Prior to the issuance of this notice, if the bedroom size of a family’s unit exceeded the size that the family qualified for under the voucher subsidy standards based on family size, the family was deemed “over-housed” and if there was no “appropriately” sized unit for them to move into in the development in which the subsidy loss took place, the household would be forced to move elsewhere with less housing assistance. This placed a burden on a great many empty-nesters and seniors. Among other things, the Notice obligates the owner to identify all appropriately sized units for the over-housed family to move into and, if there are none, permits the family to remain in their original unit and receive a subsidy for the oversized unit until an appropriately sized unit becomes available.
ACL 08-07: CalWORKs federal Work Verification Plan (2/21/08)
The ACL attaches California’s approved Work Verification Plan, and has a summary of the work participation documentation plan. Comes with a reminder that CalWORKs rules apply, and any assignments are per the assessment. All acitvities (except paid employment) must be monitored and verified on a monthly basis. Documentation for unpaid work activities consists of a time sheet or the equivalent, which can be maintained by the participant, and signed by the supervisor, provider, or person verifying hours of participation. Counties can count actual hours of structured and monitored study time, if those hours are documented and verified. The countable study time is the actual hours, and is not related to whether or not, or to what degree, a course recommends a specified number of study time hours. Actual hours of study time must be verified using information that is documented in the case file or by contacting the service provider or recipient. Daily Supervision for educational and other activities is the supervision determined appropriate and provided by the training or service provider at the same level as other students or trainees. [Download]
ACIN I-05-08: Food Stamp Q&As (2/1/08)
Those Food Stamp people never stop! Yet another Q & A. The highlights? Restricted CalWORKs accounts’ impact on food stamps; treatment of child support arrearages; shelter costs when SSI recipient in household; impact of full-time post-60 CalWORKs months student on food stamps; BOGG student grants as exempt income; notice of missed interviews for recert. Regs@ favorite? Can the county make a recipient go to court to recoup an IRS intercept fee, when the county erroneously sent the case to the IRS, and owes the claimant the recouped issuance. (Truth and Justice prevails in the answer.) Sadly, the Q & A also clarifies that the county need not investigated parole/probation violations if there is an outstanding warrant for these issues. [Download]