CA Lottery R-IEVS Match

The California (CA) Lottery R-IEVS Match is a monthly report that identifies CalWORKs (CW) and CalFresh (CF) recipients who have received lottery or gambling winnings over the maximum allowable CF resource limit for elderly or disabled households. This monthly match contains information related to the winners’ Personal Identifiable Information (PII), benefit case information, and the amount of winnings. Matches must be processed within 45 days of the date the county received the Report. 

 

The Eligibility Worker (EW) must review the case information to determine if the household has reported the lottery or gambling winnings. 

 

Note: Per the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) direction, case narration is acceptable as verification for a report of substantial winnings.

 

If... Then the EW...
The winnings received from the match have not been reported,
  • Discontinues the entire CF household within 45 calendar days of receipt of the match with a timely notice.
  • Reviews the case for potential CF overissuances.
  • Documents the findings in the Case Journal.
The winnings received on the match have been reported,
  • Document the findings and action taken in the Case Journal.
  • No further action is needed.
The client states (including signing an affidavit) that they received the winnings on behalf of someone else, but no longer have access to the funds, 
  • Discontinues the CF Program with a timely notice.
  •  Takes action following the CW program rules when the Assistance Unit (AU) exceeds the CW resource limit. 
  •  Refers the case for fraud investigation if the EW believes or suspects fraud. 
  • Documents the actions taken in the Case Journal. 

CalFresh

The lottery match is considered Verified Upon Receipt (VUR) for the CF program because the data is:

  • Not questionable,
  • Is provided from the primary source, and
  • No further information is needed to take action.

Therefore, a client Income Verification letter (GEN-201-R) will not be required before action is taken on the case.

A household that is discontinued as a result of receiving substantial lottery or gambling winnings may reapply for CF at any time. Refer to the topic Reapplication After Receipt of Substantial Lottery or Gambling Winnings in CF HB Chapter 4.

CalWORKs

For households also receiving CW benefits, the EW must take action according to CW program rules and ensure the winnings do not exceed the current CW resource limit.

When the Assistance Unit (AU) exceeds the CW resource limit, refer to the topic Countable Resources in CW HB Chapter 37. Eligibility Workers must take action following the CW program regulations. 

Medi-Cal

If a lottery match is received for a Medi-Cal (MC) only case or the case does not have CF when they received the lottery winnings and is now an MC only case, the MC program rules should be followed, as found in the Medi-Cal Handbook.