CalFresh verification requirements and job loss reports

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The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued guidance regarding CalFresh verification requirements and treatment of reports of job loss or zero income at initial application and thereafter.  CDSS has listed 13 categories of information that must be verified.  Not all of those mandatory verifications apply to all households.  The county must only verify information that applies to the household and/or to claim a deduction.  Of the household cannot provide verification to claim a deduction and the household is eligible without the deduction, the county must complete the eligibility determination.  The household may qualify for the deduction later if they provide the verification.

Counties cannot require a specific type of verification even if the information is considered a mandatory.  Verification can be provided by various methods including documentary evidence, electronic verification, collateral contact and client statement.   When certain verification methods are unavailable to the household, the county must use the best available information.

Counties must assist all households in obtaining mandatory verification.  Counties must use existing verification sources when available, and electronic verification when applicable to the household.

Information that is not considered mandatory verification must only be verified is it is questionable.  The county must document in the case record why the information is considered questionable before requesting verification from the household.

At initial application, households must provide verification of income earned over the last 30 days unless the household just started working.  Verification of job loss is not mandatory. When a household member reports to have lost a job, the county must not require verification unless it is questionable.  The client’s statement of recent job loss is sufficient evidence that a household cannot reasonably anticipate income from that job to continue during the certification period.

When a household has zero income at initial appliction, a statement on the application that it has zero income is sufficient evidence that the household cannot reasonably anticipate income during the certification period.  The county must not require verification of zero income unless it is questionable.

When a household member is subject to CalFresh work requirements and the county learns that the applicant voluntarily quit their job within 60 days prior to the date of the application, the county must determine whether there was good cause to quit.  The county must request verification if the information provided is questionable.

When a CalFresh household reports a job loss after initial application, counties must request verification of the decrease in income and the amount of the decrease.  If the job loss caused a decrease in income of $50 or more, the county must verify the household’s new income to determine continuing eligibility.  If the job loss led to zero income, a statement from the household that it has zero income is sufficient unless it is questionable.

For voluntary mid-period reports of a decrease in income of $50 or more, the county must change benefits no later than the month following the month when the decrease was reported.  If the change was reported after the 20th of the month and it is too late to adjust the following month’s benefits, the county shall issue an underpayment by the 10th of the following month.  (ACL 20-48, April 22, 2020.)

COVID-19 Trustline registration period

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The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has extended the period for TrustLine child care registration to 180 days because of COVID-19.  Effective April 4, 2020, prospective license- exempt child care providers who are required to be TrustLine registered before child care payments can be made to receive retroactive payment for up to 180 days prior to the date of fingerprinting.  (ACWDL, April 23, 2020.)

COVID-19 drivers license and vehicle registration renewal

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Governor Newsom has issued an Executive Order suspending requirements for renewing drivers licenses is suspended through June 30, 2020.  Renewal of Department of Motor Vehicle identification cards and vehicle registration is suspended for 60 days.  Vehicle registration requirements are suspended through May 31, 2020.  Any late fees or penalties are waived as long as payment for the renewal is made within 60 days of the original date of expiration.  (Executive Order N-54-20, April 22, 2020.)

COVID-19 child welfare services visits by videoconference

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The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued guidance authorizing child welfare services monthly caseworker visits to be done by videoconference when an emergency prohibits or limits face-to-face contact.  The decision to do monthly caseworker visits by videoconference must be made on a case by case basis.

Child and Family Service case reviews can be done by videoconference but that decision must be made based on the circumstances of the case using specified factors. (ACIN I-33-20, April 21, 2020.)

COVID-19 reassessment and redetermination for AAP and Kin-GAP

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The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued guidance regarding reassessment and redetermination for the Adoption Assistance Program and the Kin-GAP program because of COVID-19.

Counties should send the AAP reassessment form to adoptive parents at least 60 and no more than 90 days prior to the reassessment date. Returning the form is optional.  If the parent(s) return the form without a request for change, the county can process it when received or wait until after June 30.

If parent(s) return the form requesting an increase in assistance, the county must process it.  If parent(s) do not return the form, the rate continues at the rate in the prior AAP agreement.  However, signed AAP agreements for wraparound services and out-of-home placements paid by AAP are limited to 18 months.

The requirement to return the Kin-GAP Determination of Eligibility form within two weeks of the date it was mailed is temporarily suspended.  Counties shall continue Kin-GAP payments even if receipt of the paperwork is delayed. (ACL 20-47, April 21, 2020.)

COVID-19 stimulus payment exempt from execution

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Governor Newsom has issued an executive order that CARES Act stimulus payments and any other payments in response to COVID-19 are exempt from attachment, levy, execution, or garnishment without a claim. This includes financial institution offsets and liens for including fees charged to or debts arising from the account in which the funds are held.  Only exceptions are for child support, spousal support or criminal restitution payable to victims.  Any money collected prior to the date of the order must be return without any further action.  (Executive Order N-57-20, April 23, 2020.)