Never to miss an opportunity, CDSS has created a new Notice of Action that informs food stamps recipients with overpayments that collection will occur from unused EBT balances, if the recipient has not accessed the EBT account in more than 90 days. [Download]
Summaries of select CalWORKs, CalFresh, Health and Housing Regulations
ACIN I-68-05 – Parent-to-child Deeming Procedures for CAPI (October 6, 2005)
Oops. The state forgot to do parent-to-child deeming in 1998. They realized their mistake and are now issuing the instructions and worksheet. Parent-to-Child deeming applies whenever a minor child under age 18 lives with his or her parent(s), including step-parents. The parent–to-child deeming rules are applied through the month in whch the child attains age 18. The ACIN also sets out the allowance for ineligible household members also supported by the parent-sponsor, as well as the allowance for the parent him/herself. [Download]
ACIN I-67-05 – Reduced Fee for California ID Cards (October 4, 2005)
California ID cards will now be only $6 for people receiving CalWORKs, Foster Car, Kin-Gap, Food Stamps, CAPI (and the related California Food Assistance Program, SSI, and Refugee Cash Assistance. On Medi-Cal? Too bad, you’re not covered. [Download]
ACIN I-63-05 – New Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D) (October 3, 2005)
Initial information about the affect of the Medicare Part D program (phasing out the Drug Discount Card, beginning January 1, 2006.) As a result, the Food Stamps program will return to the former policy of considering only unreimbursed out-of pocket expenses for prescription drugs for determining a household’s medical deduction. “Implementation of Part D may require that Food Stamp Program county staff assist applicants in filing out applications for Part D enrollment. However, eligibility determinations for enrollment will be made by the Social Security Administration.” The letter also includes a Q & A. [Download]
Income Exclusion for Benefits Paid to Children of Vietnam Veterans with Certain Birth Defects (September 19, 2005).
FNS writes that “It has recently come to our attention that under Public Laws 104-204 and 106-419, benefits paid by the Veterans Administration to the children of Vietnam veterans born with congenital spina bifida and certain other birth defects are excludable as income for food stamp purposes.” The law was passed in 1997, and broadened in 2001. Heh, better late than never.
Proposed Revised Regulations
Proposed revised regulations are out for public comment, due December 29, 2005. The changes address: State Participation and Beneficiary Choice; Employment Network (EN) Payment Systems; and a new requirement, that an employment network report to the Program Manager each time it requests to take a ticket out of assignment. SSA also is seeking comments on four additional issues: (1) whether a beneficiary should be eligible for more than one ticket in a period of entitlement for SSDI or SSI benefits; (2) whether and how to simplify the definition of “using a ticket;” (3) whether the evidence requirements for EN payment are unnecessarily burdensome; and (4) whether there are any circumstances under which SSA should pay both Phase 1 and Phase 2 milestones to an EN for beneficiaries who assign their ticket after SSA has made a payment to the State VR agency under the cost reimbursement payment system. [Download]