sgoldberg
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Overview of Transforming CalWORKs changes
The California Department of Social Services has informed counties about changes to the CalWORKs program from the Transforming CalWORKs initiative encompassed in SB 119 and SB 146. Effective immediately, the county must gather the recipients determination of their…
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CalFresh mid-period actions questions and answers
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued questions and answers about mid-period reporting for CalFresh. If the county cannot determine the impact of a mid-period report on the household’s benefits, the county must contact the household. …
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CAPI Cost of Living Increase
Effective January 1, 2026, Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants benefits will increase by 2.8 percent. This increase is because of the Social Security and SSI 2.8 percent cost of living adjustment (COLA) and the amount of CAPI benefits…
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AFDC Foster Care Eligibility and Redetermination Rules
The California Department of Social Services issued a reminder regarding federal and state requirements for eligibility and redetermination for foster youth and non-minor dependents. Annual redeterminations are not required after the initial eligibility decision is made for a…
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Impact of Social Security COLA on CalWORKs and CalFresh
Effective January 1, 2026, Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits will increase by a 2.8 percent cost of living adjustment (COLA). For new CalWORKs and CalFresh applications, the actual amount of Social Security, including the COLA, must…
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Relaunch of CalFresh Food and Vegetable Pilot
On November 17, 2025, the California Department of Social Services relaunched the Food and Vegetable Pilot. The pilot project allows CalFresh recipients to earn a dollar-for-dollar match, up to $60 per month, when buying fresh fruits and vegetables…
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End of pass-through of CalWORKs Work Participation Rate penalty
The California Department of Social Services has informed counties that any future CalWORKs Work Participation Rate (WPR penalties will no longer be passed-through to counties effective starting in Federal Fiscal Year 2026. The WPR measures the portion of…
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November 2025 CalFresh benefit issuance
The federal government shutdown ended by legislation signed on November 12, 2025. States must ensure the households receive their full SNAP allotment for November, 2025. Counties must resume normal operations for application processing, expedited service, and recertifications, and…
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CalFresh time limit waiver for Colusa, Imperial and Tulare Counties
The United States Department of Agriculture has granted a CalFresh time limit waiver for Colusa, Imperial and Tulare Counties from November 1, 2025 to October 31, 2026. This waiver was approved based on each of these counties having…
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Questions and Answers about CalWORKs education (STEP)
The California Department of Social Services has issued Questions and Answers about the CalWORKs Student Training and Education (STEP) Program. STEP provides advance standard payments for necessary books and supplies for postsecondary education. CalWORKs recipients in private not-for-profit…