The Who is doing What, by county, regarding FS access (language, office hours, etc.) [Download]
Summaries of select CalWORKs, CalFresh, Health and Housing Regulations
calfresh | food stamps
ACL 09-05: CalWORKs Information Regarding California Registered Domestic Partners (RDPs) And Same-Sex Spouses (2/27/09)
Policy direction regarding eligibility of same-sex married spouses to the CalWORKs, Food Stamp, and Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) programs, and instructions regarding eligibility for Medi-Cal. (DHCS has issued ACWDL 09-03 and ACWDL 09-04 regarding this.) The California RDP is an individual who has a declaration of domestic partnership registered with the California Secretary of State. AB 205 extended these rights and responsibilities to a member of a legal union validly formed in another jurisdiction that is equivalent to a California RDP.
For CalWORKs , RDPs have the same rights and responsibilities as stepparents. Pending judicial resolution, all same-sex marriage licenses issued between June 16, 2008 (when the In re Marriage Cases finding the bar on same-sex marriages unconstitutional became final) and November 4, 2008 (Prop 8 ) are deemed to be valid on the basis of marriage for the purposes of CalWORKs eligibility. Massachusetts and Connecticut also permit same-sex marriages. CalWORKs Stage One child care services does not change – RDPs and same sex spouses are treated as stepparents. The CalWORKs parent will have the option include or exclude the RDP/same-sex spouse in the AU, which could impact the availability of child care in the home. If a RDP/same-sex spouse adopts the eligible child(ren), the RDP/same-sex spouse will be considered a parent and a member of the AU, so the same eligibility requirements for two-parent families will be applied.
No change to the Food Stamp Program, which never cared about this, looking only at the group that purchases/prepares food together.
RCA is the same as CalWORKs.
RDPs/same-sex spouses are not eligible for federal Medi-Cal benefits unless they are a natural or adoptive parent of a child in the AU, the name of both RDPs/same-sex spouse appear on the child’s birth certificate, or they can establish eligibility on their own behalf (e.g. by being aged, blind, disabled, pregnant, etc.) The RDP/same-sex spouse may be eligible for specific state funded Medi-Cal programs because he/she is treated as a spouse under state law. When the RDP/same-sex spouse is not the natural or adoptive parent of a child in the AU, but he/she is eligible for CalWORKs, a separate Medi-Cal determination must be made for that RDP/same-sex spouse and in some instances for the rest of the family. [Download]
ACL 09-12: Implementation Of The American Recovery And Reinvestment Act Of 2009; Temporary Increase In Benefits Of The Value Of The Thrifty Food Plan (2/27/09)
Economic stimulus hits the world of benefits: 13.6 percent temporary increase in Food Stamp; the increased benefit amount for a household will not be considered in any overissuance (O/I) determinations; increase in the minimum monthly benefit amount for 1 and 2 person households; elimination of the ABAWDS work requirements through September 30, 2010; QC hold harmless and error rate provisions.
In addition, Unemployment benefits will increase by $25 per week; a one-time payment of $250 for SSI, Railroad Retirement and Veterans and Veterans Disability Compensation or Pension recipients recipients; and tax credits of $400 ($800 for families filing a joint return).
The counties are to send a mass Change Notice for informing households of these provisions. [Download]
ACIN I-40-08: Replacement Of Defective EBT Cards (5/29/08)
Regs@ can’t explain why this 5/08 letter was just released on-line, but here it is…information to help ID clients with damaged or demagnetized EBT cards who need replacement cards. FNS reported that California has a high rate of manually keyed transactions by retailers. The most common reason for a manually keyed transaction is a damaged or demagnetized EBT card. Counties are strongly encouraged to replace clients’ EBT cards at the earliest opportunity and to educate clients on the importance of not storing their EBT card next to a magnet (?) or cell phone (!).
But never fear! The Office of System Integration has developed a Client Manually Keyed Transactions Report which is available through the Statewide Automated Reconciliation System. The report identifies clients who have five (5) or more transactions per month, all of which are manually keyed. (The letter ends here, but the implication is the county should check the card and reissue if needed. [Download]
ACIN I-96-08: CDSS) Food Stamp Policy Interpretation And Consultation System (PICS) (12/31/08)
The just posted (a tad late!) notic of a new Policy Interpretation and Consultation System (PICS) for the Food Stamp Program. PICS is available through the internet and can be accessed by the public, including advocates. Gotta ask permission first, though. The ACIN includes instructions on how to get approved to access the PICS. [Download]
ACIN I-03-09: CalWORKs/Food Stamps: Revised Eligibility/Status Report (QR 7) And QR 7 Addendum Forms (1/6/09)
A joint effort to improve the Quarterly Reporting (QR) forms for ease of client use, to simplify the questions, and to make the quarterly reporting process more efficient is done. Forms attached. Reminds counties that information about determining “completeness” of the document can be found at ACL 03-18 and ACIN I-29-04. [Download]