CalFresh Update 2023-10
New Definition of PACF Households
| Date | References | Clerical | Handbook(s) Revised |
| 7/20/2023 | ACL 21-25 | CE Household Chapter |
Background
Previously, a Public Assistance CalFresh (PACF) household was defined as all CalFresh household members receiving CalWORKs cash aid. The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has developed a new definition of PACF that distinguishes CalFresh households by public assistance program type and supports California's continued alignment with federal reporting expectations.
Changes
The new definition of a PACF household now includes CalFresh households that receive other forms of public assistance such as CalWORKs, Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), SSI/SSP, and General Assistance/General Relief (GA/GR). The term PACF encompasses several subcategories of households that fall under its umbrella. Six new subcategories within the PACF household category are created based on the public assistance benefits received by each household member. Here are the definitions for each of these subcategories:
- PACF CalWORKs-Only Household: a CalFresh household where all included members also receive CalWORKs cash benefits.
- PACF Tribal TANF-Only Household: a CalFresh household in which all included members also receive Tribal TANF cash benefits.
- PACF SSI/SSP-Only Household: a CalFresh household where all members receive SSI and/or SSP benefits.
- PACF GA/GR-Only Household: a CalFresh household in which all included members also receive GA/GR benefits.
- PACF Multiple PA: a CalFresh household in which all included members receive public assistance from any combination of the previously mentioned public assistance program types (i.e., CalWORKs, Tribal TANF, SSI/SSP, and/or GA/GR).
- PACF Mixed: a CalFresh household in which one or more included members receive public assistance from any combination of the previously mentioned public assistance program types (i.e., CalWORKs, Tribal TANF, SSI/SSP and/or GA/GR) and one or more included members receive only CalFresh.
NACF Households
Households not receiving the aforementioned public assistance are now categorized as Non-Assistance CalFresh (NACF) households.
For more information regarding the new PACF subcategories, refer to PACF.
Implementation
The change is effective upon the CalSAWS automation date, 07/24/2023
Data Systems
The upcoming CalSAWS Release 23.07, scheduled for July 23, 2023, will automate this change.
The CalFresh Summary and Detail pages will be updated to remove the Yes/No 'Public Assistance Indicator' field. Instead, a new 'Household Category' field will be displayed to provide more specific information about the additional programs the CalFresh recipients receive.
Other Programs
This update applies to the CalFresh Programs only.
Supervisors.
EW Supervisors must review this Update no later than July 20, 2023.
Angela Shing, Director
Department of Employment & Benefit Services
Contact Person(s): Michelle Demetrius, CalFresh 408-755-7540