Transmittal of the final regulations regarding state and county responsibility for any federal penalty imposed as a result of not meeting federal work participation rate (WPR) requirements. The emergency regulations became effective January 29, 2010, were implemented through ACIN I-29-10. The final regulations were effective as of August 26, 2010. [Download]
Summaries of select CalWORKs, CalFresh, Health and Housing Regulations
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ACL 10-46: FY 2010-11 CalWORKs Child Care Program Budget Changes (10/18/10)
Information on this year’s budget impact on CalWORKs child care. The payment ceilings for license-exempt child care providers has been reduced, and the funding for the eliminated for Stage Three child care, effective on November 1, 2010. The letter indicates that counties must issue NOAs to the license exempt provider families for Stage 1 families, at least 10 days prior to 11/1/10.
Families that would otherwise have transitioned from Stage One to Stage Three directly, due to program barriers that prevented the transfer to Stage Two, shall continue to be provided through Stages One and/or Two if not more than 24 months have elapsed since the client left cash aid. CWDs are also strongly encouraged to refer families for placement on the central eligibility list once a family is stable and transferred to Stage Two. [Download]
ACIN I-05-09: CalWORKs: Changes To The ICT Process As A Result Of SB 1160 (1/20/09)
SB 1160 affected non-needy caretaker relatives receiving CalWORKs benefits on behalf of children who are dependents of the court, who are not eligible for federal Foster Care. The effective date for these changes is January 1, 2009, and although there is not statutory provision for implementing via notice, counties were encouraged to do so. SB 1160 exempts these households from the face-to-face interview requirement in their new county of residence when the family moves from one county to another. [Download]
ACL 01-10: CalWORKs and Food Stamps Program Whereabouts Unknown and Client EBT Usage (1/29/10)
Guidance to CWDs on how to handle cases when the whereabouts of an AU/household is unknown, because of returned mail, etc. Of note, for CalWORKs, residence in the state, but not in the county, is a requirement for continued eligibility for aid, and so AUs may not be automatically discontinued for “whereabouts unknown.” The worker must attempt to contact the AU and give them an opportunity to clarify the discrepancies, send an incomplete QR 7 notice, and make a Balderas contact before terminating aid, as well as before any referral for a fraud investigation.
For Food Stamps, CWDs cannot terminate for “whereabouts unknown,” but only for loss of residency, based on “reliable information.” When residency is questioned because of EBT usage, workers must attempt to contact the recipient for clarification, prior to any fraud referral. The letter reviews why recipients may be using EBT cards outside their home county, and why this is permissible if it does not involve a change in residency. Use in another county/state cannot be a presumed change in residency. [Download]
ACL 10-43: End Of The TANF ECF Subsidized Employment Programs And Resumption Of AB 98 Provisions (10/1/10)
The TANF ECF program ended on September 30, 2010. The Feds have not approved an extension to TANF ECF or additional funding, so this letter explains how to the close out procedures. [Download]
ACL 10-41: Joint Responsibilities Of Counties And Tribal TANF Programs Regarding Confidential Information, Duplicate Aid And Time On Aid Data (9/15/10)
Tips on how counties and tribal TANF folks can share confidential information, prevent duplicate aid, and facilitate acquiring time on aid data. [Download]