CalFresh Update 2023-11
CalFresh Treatment of Guaranteed Income (GI)
| Date | References | Clerical | Handbook(s) Revised |
| Revised 03-22-24 (08-07-23) | ACL 23-60, ACL 24-09 | None | Income Exclusion Section |
Background
The California Guaranteed Income (GI) Pilot Program was established to provide grants to eligible entities for the purpose of administering pilot programs and projects that provide guaranteed income to participants. The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has received approval from the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service to exclude payments received from approved GI projects and pilots.
Changes
Payments from GI programs will not be considered as income for CalFresh if they include any amount of non-governmental funding.
Verification
EWs must verify whether GI payments contain some amount of non-governmental funding before exempting it as income for CalFresh. This information is usually found on award letters.
If the client does not have any documentary evidence, EWs may contact the GI program on behalf of the client by obtaining a release of information.
Refer to the CDSS GI Program website for a list of GI projects and pilots approved prior to March 2024.
Reminder: EWs must not limit verification to a single type of document.
Potential Impact on GI Participants
Households that are not conferred Modified Categorical Eligibility (MCE) are subject to a resource test to be eligible for CalFresh benefits. Any portion of the GI payment saved is considered a countable resource for Non-MCE households. They may be denied or discontinued from CalFresh if their GI payments, combined with a household's other countable resources, exceed the CalFresh resources limit at intake, SAR 7, or recertification.
For more information regarding GI, refer to CFHB Exempt Income.
Implementation
This change is effective immediately.
Documentation
The case journal must indicate whether the GI payment contains some amount of non-governmental funding and whether the GI payment has been determined exempt as income for CalFresh.
Quality Control (QC)
QC will review to ensure all GI payments containing any amount of non-governmental funds are exempt.
Data Systems
For all cases with GI, EWs will use the Category "Government, Settlements, Payments, Programs" in the Income Detail page.
If GI Payment is Exempt for All Programs
- For combo cases with MAGI Medi-Cal, use the Type "Cash/CalFresh Exempt." Select "Yes" for the MAGI Medi-Cal Exempt Income field.
- For combo cases with Non-MAGI Medi-Cal, use the Type "Guaranteed Income - Exempt."
If GI Payment is Not Exempt for CalFresh
- For combo cases, use the Type "Cash/Medical - Exempt."
- For CalFresh-only cases, use the Type "Guaranteed Income - Unearned."
Other Programs
This change applies to all CalFresh households, including CalFresh-only households and households receiving CalFresh and public assistance.
Supervisors
EW Supervisors must review this Update with their respective workers once it is released.
_________________________________________________________________
Angela Shing, Director
Department of Employment & Benefit Services
Contact Person(s): Michelle Demetrius and Vivien Phan, SSA BPIS, 408-755-7540