CalFresh / SNAP
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CalFresh cost-of-living adjustments
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued the CalFresh cost-of living adjustments (COLA) for Federal Fiscal Year 2020. The COLA increases the Maximum Shelter Deduction, the Homeless Shelter Deduction, the Standard Deduction, the Standard Utility Allowance,…
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Verifying shelter costs for CalFresh excess shelter deduction
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued instructions implementing AB 494 that requires counties to accept shelter costs reported by a CalFresh applicant or recipient on a signed application, periodic report or recertification. Counties cannot request…
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CalFresh medical deduction for medical travel
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued policy guidance regarding verification and deduction of medical expenses, specifically transportation, for CalFresh eligibility. Households can claim the excess medical deduction for non-reimbursed medical expenses over $35 per month…
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CalFresh treatment of 2020 census income
Effective August 1, 2019, earned income received directly from the Census Bureau for temporary employment related to the 2020 census must be excluded when determining CalFresh eligibility and benefits. This policy applies through September 30, 2020. This policy…
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Applicant IEVS processing
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued instructions to counties regarding use of the Applicant Income and Eligibility Verification System (IEVS). Applicant IEVS is a third party verification system that is used at initial application and…
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Separation of SIU and eligibility determination functions
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued a reminder to counties that management of eligibility determination and program integrity investigation must be separate. County Special Investigative Unit (SIU) staff is responsible for preventing and discovering fraud…
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CalFresh denials for missing verification
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued instructions regarding denials of CalFresh applications for failure to provide requested verification. California has been granted an extension of a waiver by the federal government that allows counties to…
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CalFresh eligibility for residents of institutions
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued guidance regarding CalFresh eligibility for residents of institutions. A resident of an institution is an individual who provided over 50 percent of three meals daily at the institution as…
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CalFresh Authorized Representatives
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued guidance regarding Authorized Representatives (AR) for household applying for or receiving CalFresh. An AR is an adult non-household member who is authorized to act on the household’s behalf to…
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CalFresh revised forms and notices due to expansion to SSI recipients
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) is revising several forms because of the expansion of CalFresh eligibility to SSI recipients. The CF 285 Application for CalFresh Benefits now includes optional questions regarding the need for a reasonable…