CalFresh state-wide ABAWD waiver

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The federal Food and Nutrition Service has granted California’s request for a state-wide waiver of the CalFresh Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) time limit requirements. The ABAWD waiver is effective from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022.

Despite the ABAWD waiver, counties must 1) identify ABAWDs, screen for exemptions, and inform clients of ABAWD rules; 2) track and report work registrant, ABAWD and Employment and Training data; and 3) apply sanction requirements for work registrants who voluntarily quit a job of 30 hours or more per week, which provides weekly earnings equal to or greater than federal minimum wage times 30, or who, without good cause, reduce the number of hours worked to less than 30.  Counties cannot impose a sanction if a CalFresh recipient voluntarily quits a job of less than 30 hours per week.

Individuals who were previously discontinued from CalFresh for failure to meet ABAWD requirements and reapply to CalFresh may be approved for benefits if otherwise eligible. CalFresh Employment and Training and voluntary quit sanctions do not stop when the individual moves to a county with an ABAWD time limit waiver.  (ACL 21-67, June 15, 2021.)

Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation

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The Employment Development Department (EDD) began accepting applications for the Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation (MEUC) on June 30, 2021.  MEUC pays an extra $100 per week in supplemental unemployment benefits to people who earned both regular wages and more than $5,000 in self-employment wages.

 

Starting June 30, EDD will begin sending text messages and emails to claimants who may qualify for MEUC.  Paper applications will be mailed to people who are not online.  Claimants will have until September 6, 2021 to apply for MEUC. (EDD News Release 21-38, June 25, 2021.)

COVID-19 CalFresh emergency allotment for July, 2021

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California has been approved to issue an emergency allotment of CalFresh for July, 2021.  All households will receive at least the maximum CalFresh allotment.  Households eligible to receive the maximum allowable allotment based on household size are now eligible to receive an emergency allotment of $95 per month. Households who are not eligible to receive the maximum allowable allotment based on household size, but whose emergency allotment would be less than $95 per month to receive the maximum allotment, will receive additional CalFresh benefits to raise their emergency allotment to the new $95 minimum.

The emergency allotment will be issued on August 8, 2021.

Moving forward, emergency allotments may be approved by FNS on a month-to-month basis until the Secretary of Health and Human Services rescinds the public health emergency.  There will be a one-month phase out of emergency allotments after the public health emergency is rescinded.  (ACWDL, June 24, 2021.)

IHSS application processing and reassessments

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The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) reiterates the In Home Supportive Services (IHSS) requirements for processing applications, completing reassessment, and issuing Quality Improvement Actions Plans.  

Individuals have the right to apply for IHSS services or make an application through another person on their behalf. Counties are required to accept IHSS applications by telephone, by fax, or in person.  If the county has the capability, it must also accept applications online and by email. The applicant’s protected date of eligibility is the date the applicant requests services. Case Management, Information and Payrolling System (CMIPS) will automatically check for Medi-Cal eligibility. If the applicant is ineligible for Medi-Cal when they apply, they may be authorized services back to the protected date of eligibility. Prior to authorization of IHSS services, recipients must submit a Health Care Certification form (SOC 873) completed by a licensed health care professional, except when the recipient is at imminent risk of out of home placement.

People at imminent risk of out of home placement can be granted IHSS immediately, and be given 45 days to submit the health care certification, and can have up to 90 days for good cause.  

For purposes of monitoring counties’ compliance with application processing, CDSS will use the protected date of eligibility, and a 90-day timeframe to allow for the 45 days which may be necessary to complete the required Medi-Cal eligibility determination and the Health Care Certification form.

Counties must reassess individuals’ IHSS eligibility every year, and each time a recipient notifies the county of a change in circumstances. Counties should prioritize Communities First Choice Options (CFCO) annual reassessments because these recipients are typically most vulnerable. 

Although CDSS requires 100% compliance with reassessments, CDSS will issue a Quality Improvement Action Plan for counties that are below 90% compliance rate for CFCO recipients and an 80% compliance rate for all other recipients.  (ACIN I-58-21, June 14, 2021.)

Resuming work search requirement for Unemployment Insurance

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The Employment Development Department (EDD) is resuming the work search requirement for Unemployment Insurance starting July 11, 2021.  EDD will be sending notices to claimants to inform them that the work search requirement will be reinstated.

For Unemployment Insurance, reasonable efforts to search for suitable work will include preparing for job searches such as setting up an account on CalJOBS, expanding networks, applying for suitable work and participating in training.

For Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, the work search requirement can include rebuilding businesses, expanding networks, establishing accounts on platforms to advertise services, and participating in training.  Persons receiving Pandemic Unemployment Assistance who no longer want to continue self-employment, or were previously employed but not eligible for regular Unemployment Insurance benefits, can search for work like a regular Unemployment Insurance recipient.

If an employer furloughed or laid off workers during the pandemic, the Work Sharing Program can help bring these employees back at reduced hours. These employees can continue collecting the additional $300 per week in federal unemployment benefits, and a portion of their wages will be subsidized by the regular unemployment insurance benefits.  (EDD News Release 21-36, June 17, 2021.)

COVID-19 – extension of temporary emergency childcare services

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This California Department of Education has provided updated guidance on the extension of temporary Emergency Childcare services.  This guidance replaces Management Bulletin 20-14.  

Families currently enrolled in Emergency Childcare through California Alternative Payment Programs (CAPP) and California Migrant Alternative Payment Programs (CMAP) may have service extended through June 30, 2022. This extension does not require updated documentation. CAPP and CMAP can enroll new families for Emergency Childcare after all families who are currently enrolled have received an extension of services, and if they meet the eligibility requirements as specified in the Child Care and Development Services Act, Education Code section 8200. They will be enrolled in priority order, and eligibility will be determined with a self-certification process.

Families enrolled in emergency childcare must be assessed a family fee using the Fiscal Year 2020-21 Family Fee Schedule unless they are exempt from fees.  A monthly family fee is implemented based on several factors in the MB. Families who receive Child Protective Services or have been identified as at risk of abuse or neglect will be exempt from fees.

All eligible families enrolled in emergency childcare have priority for subsidized child care. Families transitioning to ongoing child care services are eligible for 12 months from ongoing child care certification. Contractors will give a letter or Notice of Action to notify families of their extended child care. They must also give families a written 30 day notice of discontinuation of child care.

Contractors will not be responsible for verifying self-certification forms or eligibility. At-risk families and families with essential workers are eligible for emergency childcare if they meet all of the requirements in the MB. (MB 21-08, April 29, 2021.)