CalFresh / SNAP
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CalWORKs and CalFresh income exemption for awards to attend college
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) issued guidance regarding the new income exemption for awards to attend college. Effective March 1, 2026, any grant, award, scholarship, loan or fellowship awarded for the purpose of attending an institution…
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CalFresh time limit waiver for Alpine, Merced, Monterey, and Plumas Counties
The United States Department of Agriculture has granted a CalFresh time limit waiver for Alpine, Merced, Monterey, and Plumas Counties from November 1, 2025 to October 31, 2026. This waiver was approved based on each of these counties…
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Parolee eligibility for California Food Assistance Program (CFAP)
The California Food Assistance Program (CFAP) is a state funded program that provides benefits equivalent to CalFresh to qualified immigrants who are not eligible for CalFresh. based solely on the immigration status restrictions in the Personal Responsibility and…
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Extension of CalFresh Standard Medical Expense Deduction
The California Department of Social Services has issued guidance regarding extension of the CalFresh Standard Medical Expense Deduction (SMD). The SMD waiver and has been extended to September 30, 2029. The SMD is a standard $150 per month…
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Documentation of reasonable accommodation in CalSAWS.
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued guidance regarding documentation of reasonable accommodation in the California Statewide Automated Welfare System (CalSAWS). This guidance applies to individuals with a “disability” as defined under the Americans with Disabilities…
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Requirement to provide copies of electronically filed CalFresh applications and allow corrections
The California Department of Social Services has issued guidance regarding providing CalFresh households with a copy of their application. If an application is signed via handwritten or electronic signature, the CWD must offer to provide a copy of…
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Implementation of CalFresh changes to noncitizen eligibility
HR1 caused substantial changes to noncitizen eligibility for CalFresh. The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) will implement these changes effective April 1, 2026. Counties cannot implement these changes prior to April 1, 2026. Counties cannot implement these…
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Implementation of CalFresh time limit
HR1 caused substantial changes to the CalFresh time limit and work requirements. The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) will implement these changes effective June 1, 2026. Counties cannot implement these changes prior to automation in the CalSAWS…
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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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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…