COVID-19 CalFresh emergency allotment for February 2021

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California has been approved to issue an emergency allotment of CalFresh for February, 2021.  The emergency allotment will be issued on March 7, 2021 to raise each household’s monthly CalFresh allotment to the maximum allowable for the household size.

The date for issuance of the January, 2021 emergency allotment is changed from February 7, 2021 to February 14, 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. (ACWDL, January 29, 2021.)

COVID-19 temporary 15% increase in CalFresh maximum benefit

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The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) informs counties of the temporary 15% increase in the maximum CalFresh benefit from January 1, 2021 to June 30, 2021.  This change effectively increases all CalFresh benefits by 15%.  The minimum benefit amount is temporarily increased to $19.

Counties must use mass change informing practices of this temporary benefit changes, including news or other media outlets, social media, client facing websites, text messages, and posters in welfare department offices.

This increase in benefits must be excluded when calculating the amount of an overissuance against a household.

For January 2021, the benefit increase will be issued on February 7.  Starting with February benefits, the increase will be issued with the household’s normal benefits.

Because of automation issues, the emergency allotment for January will now be issued on February 14, 2021.  (ACIN I-11-21, January 27, 2021.)

COVID 19 – CalFresh treatment of Pandemic Unemployment Compensation Payments

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The Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021 reauthorized Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (PUC) payments through March 14, 2021.  These payments will be $300 per week from January 1, 2021 through March 14, 2021.  Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, these payments are not income for CalFresh purposes.  These payments are excluded from being considered a resource through October 31, 2021.  (ACWDL, January 19, 2021.)

COVID-19 additional exceptions to the CalFresh student rule

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The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued guidance regarding additional exceptions to the CalFresh student rule added by Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021.  These additional exceptions because of COVID-19 are in effect from January 16, 2021 until 30 days after the federal public health emergency is lifted.

In general students enrolled half time who are aged 18 to 49 are are physically and mentally fit are ineligible for CalFresh.  There are several exceptions to this rule.  The Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021 expands the exception for work study to any student eligible to participate in a state or federally financed work study during the regular school year, as determined by the school.  While this exception is in effect, it is no longer required that students be approved for work study and anticipate working.  CDSS has temporarily changed the work study verification letter to reflect this change.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021 adds an exception to the CalFresh student rule for students who have a zero dollar expected family contribution.  This is determined by information on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application.  The California Student Aid Commission determines who has a zero dollar expected family contribution.  Verification can include, but is not limited to, a letter from the California Student Aid Commission confirming a zero dollar expected family contribution, a student’s Student Aid Report or a financial aid offer letter.  The California Student Aid Commission will send all students with a zero dollar expected family contribution an informing letter about this new exception to the CalFresh student rule.  The California Student Aid Commission letter now includes a bolded statement instructing students to submit the letter in its entirety.  However, failure to submit the California Student Aid Commission letter is not a basis for requesting further verification or denial.

Requests to add a newly eligible student or to report a previously ineligible student being newly eligible are voluntary mid-period reports of a household composition change.  These reports can be made verbally or in writing and must be considered verified upon receipt.  However, a student’s exception to the student eligibility rule must be verified.  If verification is submitted timely, benefits are adjusted no later than the first allotment issued 10 days after the change is reported.  No supplement is issued for the month of the report.  If the household does not provide verification within 10 days of the report, but provides verification at a later date, the timeframe for taking action runs from the date verification is submitted.

(ACL 21-11, January 22, 2021 and ACL 21-11E, March 3, 2021.)

Standard ancillary services payment and other WTW changes for students

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The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) informs counties of changes to CalWORKs welfare-to-work (WTW) for students, including the new standard payment for ancillary services for students.  These changes are effective January 1, 2021 and must be implemented no later than the Fall, 2021 school term.

WTW participants enrolled in a publicly funded postsecondary educational institution and making satisfactory progress must receive an advanced, standard payment for required books and college supplies.  The participant must provide proof of enrollment.  The standard payment for full time students is $500 per semester and $350 per quarter.  The standard payment for part-time students is $250 per semester and $175 per quarter. These payments must be available at least 10 days before the start of the term.

Participants can request reimbursement of actual costs if they provide verification of those costs.  Counties must issue payment within 20 days of the request and provision of verification.

Counties can provide these payments as a voucher or other means of payment to a store that carries the books or college supplies required for participation.  Counties can only exercise this option if they ensure that vouchers are available to WTW participants no later than 10 days before the start of the term.

Satisfactory progress is determined by the educational institution.  Proof of admission is sufficient to show satisfactory progress because schools will not allow enrollment unless the student is making satisfactory progress.

Publicly funded postsecondary educational institution excludes for-profit schools.

WTW participants in publicly funded postsecondary educational institution shall not be required to complete job search or job club as their initial engagement activity.  Assessments for WTW participants in publicly funded postsecondary educational institution can only be conducted for the purpose of identifying barriers to participation in education such as domestic violence, substance abuse, mental health or learning disability.  WTW participants cannot be disallowed from attending the institution because of a barrier or refusal to attend an assessment.  Assessment results cannot be used to limit or restrict the participant’s choice in educational or training goal.

These changes do not make any changes to Self-Initiated Programs.

WTW participants enrolled in a publicly funded postsecondary educational institution shall receive three hours of study time for each academic unit enrolled in for purposes of calculating WTW hourly requirements.  If students do not meet the total number of hours required, counties must assist the participant by allowing the participant to submit a proposal for meeting those hours based on the full array of WTW activities available.

Participants who receive an advanced standard payment must sign a Welfare-to-Work Plan Activity Assignment (WTW 2) form.  If the participant continues attending the same institution at the same full-time or part-time level and does not require additional supportive services, an updated WTW 2 is not required.

The county must provide the WTW 2 30 days prior to registration for the term.  Counties must allow students to change their major or field of study.  If the county does not provide the WTW 2 form 30 days prior to the beginning of the term, ancillary services shall continue at the same level until the county receives the updated WTW 2.  (ACL 21-04, January 20, 2021.)

Errata:

WTW participants enrolled in a publicly funded postsecondary educational institution and making satisfactory progress are required to complete OCAT as part of WTW enrollment.

Students in publicly funded postsecondary educational institutions include students in adult education/adult schools.

The advance standard payment must be issued regardless of whether the participant has signed a new WTW plan.

A new WTW plan is not required if the participant is continuing their educational activity from one educational session to the next, attending the same institution at the same full-time or part-time level, and does not require additional supportive services. [ACL 21-04E, December 3, 2021.]

Increase in child support disregard for the CalWORKs program

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The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued guidance regarding the increase in the child support disregard for the CalWORKs program.  Effective January 1, 2022, or when the computer systems are programmed, whichever is later, the disregard of current child support will increase from $50 to $100 for one child and $200 for two children.  These payments are not included when determining CalWORKs eligibility and/or grant amounts.

Safety net cases that are exempt from child support assignment will have the first $100 for one child and $200 for two children of collected child support will not included when determining CalWORKs eligibility and/or grant amounts.

Families that receive direct child support payments must report those payments as income, and will have first $100 for one child and $200 for two children not included when determining CalWORKs eligibility and/or grant amounts.

Families with a child that is opted-out of the CalWORKs assistance unit and are directly receiving child support for that child under SB 380 qualify for the $200 disregard because those families have more than one child in the assistance unit.

In determining eligibility for opt-out under SB 380, the amount of child support collected to be eligible is the maximum aid payment for that child plus the $200 disregard.

Counties are required to inform applicants and recipients of this change at least 90 days before implementation, and to inform new applicants at application beginning no later than 30 days prior to implementation.  (ACL 20-115, October 28, 2020.)