This Notice provides the estimated median family income estimates for fiscal year 2005 for 356 metropolitan areas and 2,302 non-metropolitan areas in the U.S. and its territories. The estimated median family income for the U.S. is $58,000; it is $62,500 ($63,100 metro; $49,100 non-metro) for California. The estimated median income is used as the basis for setting income limits for a variety of programs including because they are used as the basis for income limits for several HUD programs, including the Public Housing, Housing Choice Voucher, USDA’s Rural Housing program and the Low Income Housing Tax credit program. The FY 2005 Income Limits page on the Huduser website provides links to a table of median income estimates for specific metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas across the U.S. and other useful links. [Download]
Summaries of select CalWORKs, CalFresh, Health and Housing Regulations
Amended Rules for Determining Income and Resources Under the SSI Program
The Social Security Administration has amended the rules for counting resources and assets in determining eligibility for SSI. The new rules (1) eliminate clothing from the definition of income and in-kind support and maintenance; (2) eliminate the dollar limit for the exclusion of household goods and personal effects and (3) excludes the recipient’s first car if it is used for transportation of the recipient or member of the recipients household without consideration of the value of the car. The practical effects of these changes are that people can receive gifts of clothing without putting their benefits at risk and can purchase furniture and other household items without risking their benefits. The final rule is posted on the website for California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform. [Download]
ACL 05-02 – Changes in Law Affecting Subsidized Child Care for 11 And 12 Year-old Children (February 2, 2005)
The new law provides for a preferred placement for 11-12 yo children, except for children with exceptional needs, in an after school program. (Children with exceptional needs are not prohibited from participating in these programs/changing their care arrangements.) The parent is to certify in writing that the after school program will meet their child care needs. Children receiving and/eligible for subsidized child care services shall continue to receive subsidized child care if the after school programs do not meet the families’ child care needs. CalWORKs families should also be informed if they choose to transfer their child(ren) to an after school program, and subsequently find the program doesn’t meet their needs, the family will receive priority to transfer back to subsidized child care as funding permits. [Download]
Food Stamps Administrative Notice 05-03 – Eligibility of Victims of Severe Trafficking (October 1, 2004)
The categories of noncitizens eligible to participate in the Food Stamp Program (FSP) under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act have been expanded to include the minor children, spouses and in some cases the parents and siblings of victims of severe trafficking, as well as the originally included victims themselves. Victims of severe trafficking are eligible to participate in the FSP under the same conditions as noncitizens classified as refugees. (Regs @ is not quite sure what “non-severe” human trafficking is.) Also attached is a fact sheet on establishing TVPA eligibility. [Download]
Food Stamps Administrative Notice 05-01 – Revised Disaster Food Stamp Program Income Guidelines for FY 2005 (October 1, 2004)
The latest income guidelines and program requirements for those disaster-minded. [Download]
HUD PIH Notice 2005-05 – New Freedom Initiative, Executive Order 13217: “Community-Based Alternatives for Individuals with Disabilities,” and the Housing Choice Voucher Program (February 1, 2005)
Explains Bush’s New Freedom Initiative and Executive Order and guides PHAs and HUD field staff regarding initiatives that can be implemented to assist persons with disabilities and their families searching for housing under the Section 8 Voucher program. Among other things, this Notice instructs PHAs to be “generous” in establishing the permitted search time for a unit, permitting PHAs to go beyond 120 days so long as the time period is not indefinite. The Notice also encourages PHAs to provide families with lists of organizations and agencies offering supportive services, including “state protection and advocacy agencies, Centers for Independent Living, State Medicaid agencies, and disability advocacy groups that represent individuals with a variety of disabilities.” [Download]