Well, it’s not October 1, 2006 anymore, it’s November 1, 2006. A few new words, and a few new forms. [Download]

This notice, ironically issued on 9/11, transmits the higher shelter costs (a whopping $17) effective October 1, 2006, as well as a new eligibility/verification chart, income and resource guidelines and disaster verification requirements. [Download]

Who’s who in the zoo. Did you know there is an “employment, forms, and disaster” unit? The policy interpretations are still limited to counties, after review by the FRAT team (no keg party) for “statewideness.” [Download]

This letter explains the new Food Stamps changes, hitting the street 10/1/06. Changes include: (1) legally obligated child support payments will be an income exclusion rather than as an income deduction (so lowers income prior to gross income test); (2) exclusion of certain restricted accounts as a resource; (3) exclusion of certain types of income that are excluded for CalWORKs; (4) elimination of actual utility costs in lieu of a SUA, but instead there is no prorating of utilities for non-household members; (5) implementation of a Limited Utility Allowance (LUA) for households that do not qualify for the SUA, and, (6) allowance of a Telephone Utility Allowance (TUA) for households not qualified to receive a SUA or LUA.

The letter includes the proposed regulations. All changes will be treated as county-initiated mid-month change for quarterly reporters, except the restricted accounts, which must be reviewed prior to being excluded. [Download]

The Standard Utility Allowance is up (21.5%!), to address rising utility costs. This increase is to be treated as a county-initiated mid-quarter change for all cases for the month of August 2006. Technology pulling the cart, the state has allowed counties, if they can’t program their computers fast enough, to implement this change “as soon as is administratively feasible, but no later than with the issuance of the October 2006 allotment.” The state recommends that counties mail a “mass change” notice, but otherwise, to inform recipients by posting info in the offices …. [Download]