AB 2057: CalFresh: victims of domestic violence.
- Session Year: 2015-2016
- House: Assembly
- Latest Version Date: 2016-09-30
Existing federal law provides for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known in California as CalFresh, formerly the Food Stamp Program, under which supplemental nutrition assistance benefits allocated to the state by the federal government are distributed to eligible individuals by each county. Existing federal law authorizes a resident of a shelter for battered women and children, as defined, who is currently included in a certified household that also contains the abuser, to apply and, if otherwise eligible, receive an additional allotment of benefits as a separate household. Existing federal law requires a county human services agency to provide CalFresh expedited services to certain households.
This bill would, to the extent permitted by federal law, regulations, waivers, and directives, authorize a resident of, or an individual on a waiting list to get into, a shelter for battered women and children who is currently included in a certified household that also contains the abuser, to apply for, and, if otherwise eligible, would provide that the resident or individual is entitled to, expedited services of an additional allotment of CalFresh benefits as a separate household. By imposing additional duties on local officials, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
Existing law requires the State Department of Social Services to develop and make available to homeless shelters, among other locations, CalFresh information on expedited services targeted to the homeless population. Existing law requires each county welfare department, upon request, to provide homeless shelters with a supply of CalFresh applications used to request expedited CalFresh services, as specified.
This bill would additionally require the department to develop and make available to domestic violence shelters CalFresh information on expedited services targeted to victims of domestic violence. The bill would also require a county human services agency, upon request, to provide domestic violence shelters with a supply of CalFresh applications used to request expedited CalFresh services, as specified. By imposing additional duties on local officials, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
Existing law authorizes counties to participate in the CalFresh Employment and Training program (CalFresh E&T), established by federal law, and requires participating counties to screen CalFresh work registrants to determine whether they will participate in, or be deferred from, CalFresh E&T. Existing law defers from mandatory placement in CalFresh E&T specified individuals, including an individual who is a veteran who has been honorably discharged from the United States Army.
This bill would additionally defer from mandatory placement in CalFresh E&T, an individual who is a victim of domestic violence.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.
Existing federal law provides for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known in California as CalFresh, formerly the Food Stamp Program, under which supplemental nutrition assistance benefits allocated to the state by the federal government are distributed to eligible individuals by each county. Existing federal law authorizes a resident of a shelter for battered women and children, as defined, who is currently included in a certified household that also contains the abuser, to apply and, if otherwise eligible, receive an additional allotment of benefits as a separate household. Existing federal law requires a county human services agency to provide CalFresh expedited services to certain households.
This bill would, to the extent permitted by federal law, regulations, waivers, and directives, authorize a resident of, or an individual on a waiting list to get into, a shelter for battered women and children who is currently included in a certified household that also contains the abuser, to apply for, and, if otherwise eligible, would provide that the resident or individual is entitled to, expedited services of an additional allotment of CalFresh benefits as a separate household. By imposing additional duties on local officials, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
Existing law requires the State Department of Social Services to develop and make available to homeless shelters, among other locations, CalFresh information on expedited services targeted to the homeless population. Existing law requires each county welfare department, upon request, to provide homeless shelters with a supply of CalFresh applications used to request expedited CalFresh services, as specified.
This bill would additionally require the department to develop and make available to domestic violence shelters CalFresh information on expedited services targeted to victims of domestic violence. The bill would also require a county human services agency, upon request, to provide domestic violence shelters with a supply of CalFresh applications used to request expedited CalFresh services, as specified. By imposing additional duties on local officials, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
Existing law authorizes counties to participate in the CalFresh Employment and Training program (CalFresh E&T), established by federal law, and requires participating counties to screen CalFresh work registrants to determine whether they will participate in, or be deferred from, CalFresh E&T. Existing law defers from mandatory placement in CalFresh E&T specified individuals, including an individual who is a veteran who has been honorably discharged from the United States Army.
This bill would additionally defer from mandatory placement in CalFresh E&T, an individual who is a victim of domestic violence.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.
Existing federal law provides for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known in California as CalFresh, formerly the Food Stamp Program, under which supplemental nutrition assistance benefits allocated to the state by the federal government are distributed to eligible individuals by each county. Existing federal law authorizes a resident of a shelter for battered women and children, as defined, who is currently included in a certified household that also contains the abuser, to apply and, if otherwise eligible, receive an additional allotment of benefits as a separate household. Existing federal law requires a county human services agency to provide CalFresh expedited services to certain households.
This bill would, to the extent permitted by federal law, regulations, waivers, and directives, authorize a resident of, or an individual on a waiting list to get into, a shelter for battered women and children who is currently included in a certified household that also contains the abuser, to apply for, and, if otherwise eligible, would provide that the resident or individual is entitled to, expedited services of an additional allotment of CalFresh benefits as a separate household. By imposing additional duties on local officials, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
Existing law requires the State Department of Social Services to develop and make available to homeless shelters, among other locations, CalFresh information on expedited services targeted to the homeless population. Existing law requires each county welfare department to annually offer training on CalFresh application procedures to homeless shelter operators. Existing law requires each county welfare department, upon request, to provide homeless shelters with a supply of CalFresh applications used to request expedited CalFresh services, as specified.
This bill would additionally require the department to develop and make available to domestic violence shelters CalFresh information on expedited services targeted to victims of domestic violence. The bill would delete the requirement that the county welfare department offer training on CalFresh application procedures. The bill would also expand the requirement that a county human services agency, upon request, provide domestic violence shelters with a supply of CalFresh applications used to request expedited CalFresh services, as specified. By imposing additional duties on local officials, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
Existing law authorizes counties to participate in the CalFresh Employment and Training program (CalFresh E&T), established by federal law, and requires participating counties to screen CalFresh work registrants to determine whether they will participate in, or be deferred from, CalFresh E&T. Existing law defers from mandatory placement in CalFresh E&T specified individuals, including an individual who is a veteran who has been honorable discharged from the United States Army.
This bill would additionally defer from mandatory placement in CalFresh E&T, an individual who is a victim of domestic violence.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.
Existing federal law provides for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known in California as CalFresh, formerly the Food Stamp Program, under which supplemental nutrition assistance benefits allocated to the state by the federal government are distributed to eligible individuals by each county. Existing federal law authorizes a resident of a shelter for battered women and children, as defined, who is currently included in a certified household that also contains the abuser, to apply and, if otherwise eligible, receive an additional allotment of benefits as a separate household. Existing federal law requires a county human services agency to provide CalFresh expedited services to certain households.
This bill would, to the extent permitted by federal law, regulations, waivers, and directives, authorize a resident of, or an individual on a waiting list to get into, a shelter for battered women and children who is currently included in a certified household that also contains the abuser, to apply for, and, if otherwise eligible, would provide that the resident or individual is entitled to, expedited services of an additional allotment of CalFresh benefits as a separate household. By imposing additional duties for on local officials, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
Existing law requires the State Department of Social Services to develop and make available to homeless shelters, among other locations, CalFresh information on expedited services targeted to the homeless population. Existing law requires each county welfare department to annually offer training on CalFresh application procedures to homeless shelter operators. Existing law requires each county welfare department, upon request, to provide homeless shelters with a supply of CalFresh applications used to request expedited CalFresh services, as specified.
This bill would additionally require the department to develop and make available to domestic violence shelters CalFresh information on expedited services targeted to victims of domestic violence, and would require each county human services agency to annually offer training on CalFresh application procedures to domestic violence shelter operators. violence. The bill would delete the requirement that the county welfare department offer training on CalFresh application procedures. The bill would also expand the requirement that a county human services agency, upon request, provide domestic violence shelters with a supply of CalFresh applications used to request expedited CalFresh services, as specified. By imposing additional duties for on local officials, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
Existing law authorizes counties to participate in the CalFresh Employment and Training program (CalFresh E&T), established by federal law, and requires participating counties to screen CalFresh work registrants to determine whether they will participate in, or be deferred from, CalFresh E&T. Existing law defers from mandatory placement in CalFresh E&T specified individuals, including an individual who is a veteran who has been honorable discharged from the United States Army.
This bill would additionally defer from mandatory placement in CalFresh E&T, an individual who is a victim of domestic violence.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.
Existing federal law provides for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known in California as CalFresh, formerly the Food Stamp Program, under which supplemental nutrition assistance benefits allocated to the state by the federal government are distributed to eligible individuals by each county. Existing federal law authorizes a resident of a shelter for battered women and children, as defined, who is currently included in a certified household that also contains the abuser, to apply and, if otherwise eligible, receive an additional allotment of benefits as a separate household. Existing federal law requires a county human services agency to provide CalFresh expedited services to certain households.
This bill would, to the extent permitted by federal law, regulations, waivers, and directives, authorize a resident of, or an individual on a waiting list to get into, a shelter for battered women and children who is currently included in a certified household that also contains the abuser, to apply for, and, if otherwise eligible, would provide that the resident or individual is entitled to, expedited services of an additional allotment of CalFresh benefits as a separate household. By imposing additional duties for local officials, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
Existing law requires the State Department of Social Services to develop and make available to homeless shelters, among other locations, CalFresh information on expedited services targeted to the homeless population. Existing law requires each county welfare department to annually offer training on CalFresh application procedures to homeless shelter operators.
This bill would additionally require the department to develop and make available to domestic violence shelters CalFresh information on expedited services targeted to victims of domestic violence, and would require each county human services agency to annually offer training on CalFresh application procedures to domestic violence shelter operators. By imposing additional duties for local officials, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
Existing law authorizes counties to participate in the CalFresh Employment and Training program (CalFresh E&T), established by federal law, and requires participating counties to screen CalFresh work registrants to determine whether they will participate in, or be deferred from, CalFresh E&T. Existing law defers from mandatory placement in CalFresh E&T specified individuals, including an individual who is a veteran who has been honorable discharged from the United States Army.
This bill would additionally defer from mandatory placement in CalFresh E&T, an individual who is a victim of domestic violence.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.
Existing federal law provides for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known in California as CalFresh, formerly the Food Stamp Program, under which supplemental nutrition assistance benefits allocated to the state by the federal government are distributed to eligible individuals by each county. Existing federal law authorizes a resident of a shelter for battered women and children, as defined, who is currently included in a certified household that also contains the abuser, to apply and, if otherwise eligible, receive an additional allotment of benefits as a separate household. Existing federal law requires a county human services agency to provide CalFresh expedited services to certain households.
This bill would, to the extent permitted by federal law, regulations, waivers, and directives, authorize a resident of, or an individual on a waiting list to get into, a shelter for battered women and children who is currently included in a certified household that also contains the abuser, to apply for, and, if otherwise eligible, would provide that the resident or individual is entitled to, expedited services of an additional allotment of CalFresh benefits as a separate household. By imposing additional duties for local officials, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
Existing law requires the State Department of Social Services to develop and make available to homeless shelters, among other locations, CalFresh information on expedited services targeted to the homeless population. Existing law requires each county welfare department to annually offer training on CalFresh application procedures to homeless shelter operators.
This bill would additionally require the department to develop and make available to domestic violence shelters CalFresh information on expedited services targeted to victims of domestic violence, and would require each county human services agency to annually offer training on CalFresh application procedures to domestic violence shelter operators. By imposing additional duties for local officials, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
Existing law authorizes counties to participate in the CalFresh Employment and Training program (CalFresh E&T), established by federal law, and requires participating counties to screen CalFresh work registrants to determine whether they will participate in, or be deferred from, CalFresh E&T. Existing law defers from mandatory placement in CalFresh E&T specified individuals, including an individual who is a veteran who has been honorable discharged from the United States Army.
This bill would additionally defer from mandatory placement in CalFresh E&T, an individual who is a victim of domestic violence.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.
Existing law provides for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known in California as CalFresh, under which supplemental nutrition assistance benefits allocated to the state by the federal government are distributed to eligible individuals by each county. Existing law requires the State Department of Social Services to administer the CalFresh program, as specified. Existing law also requires the director to maintain methods for over-the-counter issuance that guarantee program accessibility in all cases when a household has been found to be in immediate need of food assistance or when a household has been determined to be eligible for the replacement of a previous issuance of CalFresh benefits.
This bill would require the department and county officials to act pursuant to all federal authority to ensure that the replacement of a previous issuance of CalFresh benefits is made available as expeditiously as possible for all eligible recipients, as specified. The bill would also authorize, if a recipient is eligible for a replacement of a previous issuance, the benefit to be issued by the county human services agency in the county where the recipient currently resides or in the county where the recipient received a previous issuance. The bill would require, if a recipient is eligible for a replacement of a previous issuance because he or she is a victim of domestic violence, the replacement benefit to be issued in a manner that does not allow for any information about the replacement or its request to be accessible to the person whom the recipient is fleeing. By imposing a higher level of service on county employees, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.
Existing law provides for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known in California as CalFresh, under which supplemental nutrition assistance benefits allocated to the state by the federal government are distributed to eligible individuals by each county. Existing law requires the State Department of Social Services to develop specified written information relating to application for CalFresh, and requires a county welfare department to make this information available to an applicant and, upon request, to emergency food programs, among other entities, as specified. administer the CalFresh program, as specified. Existing law also requires a county welfare department to compile a list of emergency food providers, and to make other information available to applicants, as specified. requires the director to maintain methods for over-the-counter issuance that guarantee program accessibility in all cases when a household has been found to be in immediate need of food assistance or when a household has been determined to be eligible for the replacement of a previous issuance of CalFresh benefits.
This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes in these provisions.
This bill would require the department and county officials to act pursuant to all federal authority to ensure that the replacement of a previous issuance of CalFresh benefits is made available as expeditiously as possible for all eligible recipients, as specified. The bill would also authorize, if a recipient is eligible for a replacement of a previous issuance, the benefit to be issued by the county human services agency in the county where the recipient currently resides or in the county where the recipient received a previous issuance. The bill would require, if a recipient is eligible for a replacement of a previous issuance because he or she is a victim of domestic violence, the replacement benefit to be issued in a manner that does not allow for any information about the replacement or its request to be accessible to the person whom the recipient is fleeing. By imposing a higher level of service on county employees, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.
Existing law provides for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known in California as CalFresh, under which supplemental nutrition assistance benefits allocated to the state by the federal government are distributed to eligible individuals by each county. Existing law requires the State Department of Social Services to develop specified written information relating to application for CalFresh, and requires a county welfare department to make this information available to an applicant and, upon request, to emergency food programs, among other entities, as specified. Existing law also requires a county welfare department to compile a list of emergency food providers, and to make other information available to applicants, as specified.
This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes in these provisions.
(a)Pursuant to the federal Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act (Public Law 100-77), the department shall develop CalFresh information on expedited services targeted to the homeless population, including unaccompanied homeless children and youths, as those terms are defined in Section 11434a of Title 42 of the United States Code. The department shall also develop information on expedited services specified in Section 18914.5 for victims of domestic violence. This information shall be made available to homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, emergency food programs, local educational agency liaisons for homeless children and youths, designated pursuant to Section 11432(g)(1)(J)(ii) of Title 42 of the United States Code, and other community agencies who provide services to people who are homeless.
(b)Each county human services agency shall annually offer training on CalFresh application procedures to homeless shelter operators. That training shall include eligibility criteria and specific information regarding the eligibility of unaccompanied homeless children and youths. In addition, each county human services agency, upon request, shall provide homeless shelters and domestic violence shelters with a supply of that portion of the CalFresh application used to request CalFresh expedited service.
(c)Upon receipt of a signed CalFresh application from an unaccompanied child or youth under 18 years of age, the county human services agency shall determine eligibility for CalFresh benefits, including making a determination of whether the child or youth is eligible to apply as a household of one or if he or she must apply with members of a household with whom he or she is regularly purchasing and preparing foods, and screen the application for entitlement to expedited service pursuant to Section 18914. If the application of the child or youth for CalFresh benefits is denied, the county human services agency shall provide the child or youth a written notice explaining the reason for the denial.
SEC. 2.Section 18914.5 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:18914.5.(a)To the extent permitted by federal law, regulations, waivers, and directives, a resident of, or an individual on a waiting list to get into, a shelter for battered women and children who is currently included in a certified household that also contains the abuser, may apply for and, if otherwise eligible, shall be entitled to expedited services of an additional allotment of CalFresh benefits as a separate household.
(b)For purposes of this section, shelter for battered women and children has the same meaning as provided in Section 271.2 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
SEC. 3.Section 18926.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:18926.5.(a)For the purposes of this chapter, CalFresh Employment and Training program or CalFresh E&T means the program established under Section 6(d)(4)(B) of the federal Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. Sec. 2015), Section 273.7 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and associated administrative notices published by the United States Department of Agriculture with the purpose of assisting members of CalFresh households in gaining skills, training, work, or experience that will increase their ability to obtain regular employment.
(b)(1)A county that elects to participate in the CalFresh Employment and Training (CalFresh E&T) program, as authorized by the federal Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. Sec. 2015), shall screen CalFresh work registrants to determine whether they will participate in, or be deferred from, CalFresh E&T. If deferred, a CalFresh work registrant may request to enroll in CalFresh E&T as a voluntary participant. An individual shall be deferred from a mandatory placement in CalFresh E&T if he or she satisfies any of the criteria in Sections 273.7 and 273.24 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, if he or she resides in a federally determined work surplus area, if he or she is a veteran who has been honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces, or if he or she is a victim of domestic violence.
(2)For purposes of this section, deferred has the same meaning as exempt.
(c)(1)A county participating in CalFresh E&T shall be required to demonstrate in its CalFresh E&T plan how it is effectively using CalFresh E&T funds for each of the components that the county offers, including, but not limited to, any of the following:
(A)Self-initiated workfare.
(B)Work experience or training.
(C)Education.
(D)Job search.
(E)The support services or client reimbursements needed to participate in subparagraphs (A) to (D), inclusive, as allowed by federal law and guidance.
(2)Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a county to offer a particular component as a part of its CalFresh E&T plan.
(d)Nothing in this section shall limit a countys ability to condition the receipt of nonmedical benefits under Section 17000 on an individuals participation in an employment and training or workfare program of the countys choice, even if that program is financed in whole or in part with CalFresh E&T funds or match funds.
(e)Nothing in this section shall restrict the use of federal funds for the financing of CalFresh E&T programs.
(f)Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a county to provide for workers compensation coverage for a CalFresh E&T participant. Notwithstanding Division 4 (commencing with Section 3200) of the Labor Code, a CalFresh E&T participant shall not be an employee for the purposes of workers compensation coverage, and a county shall have no duty to provide workers compensation coverage for a CalFresh E&T participant.
(g)Notwithstanding the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), the department may implement this section by all-county letters or similar instructions. Thereafter, the department shall adopt regulations to implement this section by October 1, 2013.
SEC. 4.If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
(a)Pursuant to the federal Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act (Public Law 100-77), the department shall develop CalFresh information on expedited services targeted to the homeless population, including unaccompanied homeless children and youths, as those terms are defined in Section 11434a of Title 42 of the United States Code. The department shall also develop information on expedited services specified in Section 18914.5 for victims of domestic violence. This information shall be made available to homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, emergency food programs, local educational agency liaisons for homeless children and youths, designated pursuant to Section 11432(g)(1)(J)(ii) of Title 42 of the United States Code, and other community agencies who provide services to people who are homeless.
(b)Each county human services agency shall annually offer training on CalFresh application procedures to homeless shelter operators. That training shall include eligibility criteria and specific information regarding the eligibility of unaccompanied homeless children and youths. In addition, each county human services agency, upon request, shall provide homeless shelters and domestic violence shelters with a supply of that portion of the CalFresh application used to request CalFresh expedited service.
(c)Upon receipt of a signed CalFresh application from an unaccompanied child or youth under 18 years of age, the county human services agency shall determine eligibility for CalFresh benefits, including making a determination of whether the child or youth is eligible to apply as a household of one or if he or she must apply with members of a household with whom he or she is regularly purchasing and preparing foods, and screen the application for entitlement to expedited service pursuant to Section 18914. If the application of the child or youth for CalFresh benefits is denied, the county human services agency shall provide the child or youth a written notice explaining the reason for the denial.
SEC. 2.Section 18914.5 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:18914.5.(a)To the extent permitted by federal law, regulations, waivers, and directives, a resident of, or an individual on a waiting list to get into, a shelter for battered women and children who is currently included in a certified household that also contains the abuser, may apply for and, if otherwise eligible, shall be entitled to expedited services of an additional allotment of CalFresh benefits as a separate household.
(b)For purposes of this section, shelter for battered women and children has the same meaning as provided in Section 271.2 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
SEC. 3.Section 18926.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:18926.5.(a)For the purposes of this chapter, CalFresh Employment and Training program or CalFresh E&T means the program established under Section 6(d)(4)(B) of the federal Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. Sec. 2015), Section 273.7 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and associated administrative notices published by the United States Department of Agriculture with the purpose of assisting members of CalFresh households in gaining skills, training, work, or experience that will increase their ability to obtain regular employment.
(b)(1)A county that elects to participate in the CalFresh Employment and Training (CalFresh E&T) program, as authorized by the federal Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. Sec. 2015), shall screen CalFresh work registrants to determine whether they will participate in, or be deferred from, CalFresh E&T. If deferred, a CalFresh work registrant may request to enroll in CalFresh E&T as a voluntary participant. An individual shall be deferred from a mandatory placement in CalFresh E&T if he or she satisfies any of the criteria in Sections 273.7 and 273.24 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, if he or she resides in a federally determined work surplus area, if he or she is a veteran who has been honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces, or if he or she is a victim of domestic violence.
(2)For purposes of this section, deferred has the same meaning as exempt.
(c)(1)A county participating in CalFresh E&T shall be required to demonstrate in its CalFresh E&T plan how it is effectively using CalFresh E&T funds for each of the components that the county offers, including, but not limited to, any of the following:
(A)Self-initiated workfare.
(B)Work experience or training.
(C)Education.
(D)Job search.
(E)The support services or client reimbursements needed to participate in subparagraphs (A) to (D), inclusive, as allowed by federal law and guidance.
(2)Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a county to offer a particular component as a part of its CalFresh E&T plan.
(d)Nothing in this section shall limit a countys ability to condition the receipt of nonmedical benefits under Section 17000 on an individuals participation in an employment and training or workfare program of the countys choice, even if that program is financed in whole or in part with CalFresh E&T funds or match funds.
(e)Nothing in this section shall restrict the use of federal funds for the financing of CalFresh E&T programs.
(f)Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a county to provide for workers compensation coverage for a CalFresh E&T participant. Notwithstanding Division 4 (commencing with Section 3200) of the Labor Code, a CalFresh E&T participant shall not be an employee for the purposes of workers compensation coverage, and a county shall have no duty to provide workers compensation coverage for a CalFresh E&T participant.
(g)Notwithstanding the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), the department may implement this section by all-county letters or similar instructions. Thereafter, the department shall adopt regulations to implement this section by October 1, 2013.
SEC. 4.If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
(a)Pursuant to the federal Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act (Public Law 100-77), the department shall develop CalFresh information on expedited services targeted to the homeless population, including unaccompanied homeless children and youths, as those terms are defined in Section 11434a of Title 42 of the United States Code. The department shall also develop information on expedited services specified in Section 18914.5 for victims of domestic violence. This information shall be made available to homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, emergency food programs, local educational agency liaisons for homeless children and youths, designated pursuant to Section 11432(g)(1)(J)(ii) of Title 42 of the United States Code, and other community agencies who provide services to people who are homeless.
(b)Each county human services agency shall annually offer training on CalFresh application procedures to homeless shelter operators. That training shall include eligibility criteria and specific information regarding the eligibility of unaccompanied homeless children and youths. In addition, each county human services agency, upon request, shall provide homeless shelters and domestic violence shelters with a supply of that portion of the CalFresh application used to request CalFresh expedited service.
(c)Upon receipt of a signed CalFresh application from an unaccompanied child or youth under 18 years of age, the county human services agency shall determine eligibility for CalFresh benefits, including making a determination of whether the child or youth is eligible to apply as a household of one or if he or she must apply with members of a household with whom he or she is regularly purchasing and preparing foods, and screen the application for entitlement to expedited service pursuant to Section 18914. If the application of the child or youth for CalFresh benefits is denied, the county human services agency shall provide the child or youth a written notice explaining the reason for the denial.
SEC. 2.Section 18914.5 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:18914.5.(a)To the extent permitted by federal law, regulations, waivers, and directives, a resident of, or an individual on a waiting list to get into, a shelter for battered women and children who is currently included in a certified household that also contains the abuser, may apply for and, if otherwise eligible, shall be entitled to expedited services of an additional allotment of CalFresh benefits as a separate household.
(b)For purposes of this section, shelter for battered women and children has the same meaning as provided in Section 271.2 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
SEC. 3.Section 18926.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:18926.5.(a)For the purposes of this chapter, CalFresh Employment and Training program or CalFresh E&T means the program established under Section 6(d)(4)(B) of the federal Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. Sec. 2015), Section 273.7 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and associated administrative notices published by the United States Department of Agriculture with the purpose of assisting members of CalFresh households in gaining skills, training, work, or experience that will increase their ability to obtain regular employment.
(b)(1)A county that elects to participate in the CalFresh Employment and Training (CalFresh E&T) program, as authorized by the federal Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. Sec. 2015), shall screen CalFresh work registrants to determine whether they will participate in, or be deferred from, CalFresh E&T. If deferred, a CalFresh work registrant may request to enroll in CalFresh E&T as a voluntary participant. An individual shall be deferred from a mandatory placement in CalFresh E&T if he or she satisfies any of the criteria in Sections 273.7 and 273.24 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, if he or she resides in a federally determined work surplus area, if he or she is a veteran who has been honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces, or if he or she is a victim of domestic violence.
(2)For purposes of this section, deferred has the same meaning as exempt.
(c)(1)A county participating in CalFresh E&T shall be required to demonstrate in its CalFresh E&T plan how it is effectively using CalFresh E&T funds for each of the components that the county offers, including, but not limited to, any of the following:
(A)Self-initiated workfare.
(B)Work experience or training.
(C)Education.
(D)Job search.
(E)The support services or client reimbursements needed to participate in subparagraphs (A) to (D), inclusive, as allowed by federal law and guidance.
(2)Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a county to offer a particular component as a part of its CalFresh E&T plan.
(d)Nothing in this section shall limit a countys ability to condition the receipt of nonmedical benefits under Section 17000 on an individuals participation in an employment and training or workfare program of the countys choice, even if that program is financed in whole or in part with CalFresh E&T funds or match funds.
(e)Nothing in this section shall restrict the use of federal funds for the financing of CalFresh E&T programs.
(f)Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a county to provide for workers compensation coverage for a CalFresh E&T participant. Notwithstanding Division 4 (commencing with Section 3200) of the Labor Code, a CalFresh E&T participant shall not be an employee for the purposes of workers compensation coverage, and a county shall have no duty to provide workers compensation coverage for a CalFresh E&T participant.
(g)Notwithstanding the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), the department may implement this section by all-county letters or similar instructions. Thereafter, the department shall adopt regulations to implement this section by October 1, 2013.
SEC. 4.If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
(a)Pursuant to the federal Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act (Public Law 100-77), the department shall develop CalFresh information on expedited services targeted to the homeless population, including unaccompanied homeless children and youths, as those terms are defined in Section 11434a of Title 42 of the United States Code. The department shall also develop information on expedited services specified in Section 18914.5 for victims of domestic violence. This information shall be made available to homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, emergency food programs, local educational agency liaisons for homeless children and youths, designated pursuant to Section 11432(g)(1)(J)(ii) of Title 42 of the United States Code, and other community agencies who provide services to people who are homeless.
(b)Each county human services agency shall annually offer training on CalFresh application procedures to homeless shelter and domestic violence shelter operators. That training shall include eligibility criteria and specific information regarding the eligibility of unaccompanied homeless children and youths and victims of domestic violence. In addition, each county human services agency, upon request, shall provide homeless shelters and domestic violence shelters with a supply of that portion of the CalFresh application used to request CalFresh expedited service.
(c)Upon receipt of a signed CalFresh application from an unaccompanied child or youth under 18 years of age, the county human services agency shall determine eligibility for CalFresh benefits, including making a determination of whether the child or youth is eligible to apply as a household of one or if he or she must apply with members of a household with whom he or she is regularly purchasing and preparing foods, and screen the application for entitlement to expedited service pursuant to Section 18914. If the application of the child or youth for CalFresh benefits is denied, the county human services agency shall provide the child or youth a written notice explaining the reason for the denial.
SEC. 2.Section 18914.5 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:18914.5.(a)To the extent permitted by federal law, regulations, waivers, and directives, a resident of, or an individual on a waiting list to get into, a shelter for battered women and children who is currently included in a certified household that also contains the abuser, may apply for and, if otherwise eligible, shall be entitled to expedited services of an additional allotment of CalFresh benefits as a separate household.
(b)For purposes of this section, shelter for battered women and children has the same meaning as provided in Section 271.2 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
SEC. 3.Section 18926.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:18926.5.(a)For the purposes of this chapter, CalFresh Employment and Training program or CalFresh E&T means the program established under Section 6(d)(4)(B) of the federal Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. Sec. 2015), Section 273.7 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and associated administrative notices published by the United States Department of Agriculture with the purpose of assisting members of CalFresh households in gaining skills, training, work, or experience that will increase their ability to obtain regular employment.
(b)(1)A county that elects to participate in the CalFresh Employment and Training (CalFresh E&T) program, as authorized by the federal Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. Sec. 2015), shall screen CalFresh work registrants to determine whether they will participate in, or be deferred from, CalFresh E&T. If deferred, a CalFresh work registrant may request to enroll in CalFresh E&T as a voluntary participant. An individual shall be deferred from a mandatory placement in CalFresh E&T if he or she satisfies any of the criteria in Sections 273.7 and 273.24 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, if he or she resides in a federally determined work surplus area, if he or she is a veteran who has been honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces, or if he or she is a victim of domestic violence.
(2)For purposes of this section, deferred has the same meaning as exempt.
(c)(1)A county participating in CalFresh E&T shall be required to demonstrate in its CalFresh E&T plan how it is effectively using CalFresh E&T funds for each of the components that the county offers, including, but not limited to, any of the following:
(A)Self-initiated workfare.
(B)Work experience or training.
(C)Education.
(D)Job search.
(E)The support services or client reimbursements needed to participate in subparagraphs (A) to (D), inclusive, as allowed by federal law and guidance.
(2)Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a county to offer a particular component as a part of its CalFresh E&T plan.
(d)Nothing in this section shall limit a countys ability to condition the receipt of nonmedical benefits under Section 17000 on an individuals participation in an employment and training or workfare program of the countys choice, even if that program is financed in whole or in part with CalFresh E&T funds or match funds.
(e)Nothing in this section shall restrict the use of federal funds for the financing of CalFresh E&T programs.
(f)Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a county to provide for workers compensation coverage for a CalFresh E&T participant. Notwithstanding Division 4 (commencing with Section 3200) of the Labor Code, a CalFresh E&T participant shall not be an employee for the purposes of workers compensation coverage, and a county shall have no duty to provide workers compensation coverage for a CalFresh E&T participant.
(g)Notwithstanding the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), the department may implement this section by all-county letters or similar instructions. Thereafter, the department shall adopt regulations to implement this section by October 1, 2013.
SEC. 4.If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
(a)Pursuant to the federal Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act (Public Law 100-77), the department shall develop CalFresh information on expedited services targeted to the homeless population, including unaccompanied homeless children and youths, as those terms are defined in Section 11434a of Title 42 of the United States Code. The department shall also develop information on expedited services specified in Section 18914.5 for victims of domestic violence. This information shall be made available to homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, emergency food programs, local educational agency liaisons for homeless children and youths, designated pursuant to Section 11432(g)(1)(J)(ii) of Title 42 of the United States Code, and other community agencies who provide services to people who are homeless.
(b)Each county human services agency shall annually offer training on CalFresh application procedures to homeless shelter and domestic violence shelter operators. That training shall include eligibility criteria and specific information regarding the eligibility of unaccompanied homeless children and youths and victims of domestic violence. In addition, each county human services agencies, agency, upon request, shall provide homeless shelters and domestic violence shelters with a supply of that portion of the CalFresh application used to request CalFresh expedited service.
(c)Upon receipt of a signed CalFresh application from an unaccompanied child or youth under 18 years of age, the county human services agency shall determine eligibility for CalFresh benefits, including making a determination of whether the child or youth is eligible to apply as a household of one or if he or she must apply with members of a household with whom he or she is regularly purchasing and preparing foods, and screen the application for entitlement to expedited service pursuant to Section 18914. If the application of the child or youth for CalFresh benefits is denied, the county human services agency shall provide the child or youth a written notice explaining the reason for the denial.
SEC. 2.Section 18914.5 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:18914.5.(a)To the extent permitted by federal law, regulations, waivers, and directives, a resident of, or an individual on a waiting list to get into, a shelter for battered women and children who is currently included in a certified household that also contains the abuser, may apply for and, if otherwise eligible, shall be entitled to expedited services of an additional allotment of CalFresh benefits as a separate household.
(b)For purposes of this section, shelter for battered women and children has the same meaning as provided in Section 271.2 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
SEC. 3.Section 18926.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:18926.5.(a)For the purposes of this chapter, CalFresh Employment and Training program or CalFresh E&T means the program established under Section 6(d)(4)(B) of the federal Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. Sec. 2015), Section 273.7 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and associated administrative notices published by the United States Department of Agriculture with the purpose of assisting members of CalFresh households in gaining skills, training, work, or experience that will increase their ability to obtain regular employment.
(b)(1)A county that elects to participate in the CalFresh Employment and Training (CalFresh E&T) program, as authorized by the federal Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. Sec. 2015), shall screen CalFresh work registrants to determine whether they will participate in, or be deferred from, CalFresh E&T. If deferred, a CalFresh work registrant may request to enroll in CalFresh E&T as a voluntary participant. An individual shall be deferred from a mandatory placement in CalFresh E&T if he or she satisfies any of the criteria in Sections 273.7 and 273.24 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, if he or she resides in a federally determined work surplus area, if he or she is a veteran who has been honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces, or if he or she is a victim of domestic violence.
(2)For purposes of this section, deferred has the same meaning as exempt.
(c)(1)A county participating in CalFresh E&T shall be required to demonstrate in its CalFresh E&T plan how it is effectively using CalFresh E&T funds for each of the components that the county offers, including, but not limited to, any of the following:
(A)Self-initiated workfare.
(B)Work experience or training.
(C)Education.
(D)Job search.
(E)The support services or client reimbursements needed to participate in subparagraphs (A) to (D), inclusive, as allowed by federal law and guidance.
(2)Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a county to offer a particular component as a part of its CalFresh E&T plan.
(d)Nothing in this section shall limit a countys ability to condition the receipt of nonmedical benefits under Section 17000 on an individuals participation in an employment and training or workfare program of the countys choice, even if that program is financed in whole or in part with CalFresh E&T funds or match funds.
(e)Nothing in this section shall restrict the use of federal funds for the financing of CalFresh E&T programs.
(f)Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a county to provide for workers compensation coverage for a CalFresh E&T participant. Notwithstanding Division 4 (commencing with Section 3200) of the Labor Code, a CalFresh E&T participant shall not be an employee for the purposes of workers compensation coverage, and a county shall have no duty to provide workers compensation coverage for a CalFresh E&T participant.
(g)Notwithstanding the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), the department may implement this section by all-county letters or similar instructions. Thereafter, the department shall adopt regulations to implement this section by October 1, 2013.
SEC. 4.If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
(a)Pursuant to the federal Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act (Public Law 100-77), the department shall develop CalFresh information on expedited services targeted to the homeless population, including unaccompanied homeless children and youths, as those terms are defined in Section 11434a of Title 42 of the United States Code. The department shall also develop information on expedited services specified in Section 18914.5 for victims of domestic violence. This information shall be made available to homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, emergency food programs, local educational agency liaisons for homeless children and youths, designated pursuant to Section 11432(g)(1)(J)(ii) of Title 42 of the United States Code, and other community agencies who provide services to homeless people. people who are homeless.
(b)Each county welfare department human services agency shall annually offer training on CalFresh application procedures to homeless shelter and domestic violence shelter operators. That training shall include eligibility criteria and specific information regarding the eligibility of unaccompanied homeless children and youths. youths and victims of domestic violence. In addition, each county welfare department, human services agencies, upon request, shall provide homeless shelters and domestic violence shelters with a supply of that portion of the CalFresh application used to request CalFresh expedited service.
(c)Upon receipt of a signed CalFresh application from an unaccompanied child or youth under 18 years of age, the county welfare department human services agency shall determine eligibility for CalFresh benefits, including making a determination of whether the child or youth is eligible to apply as a household of one or if he or she must apply with members of a household with whom he or she is regularly purchasing and preparing foods, and screen the application for entitlement to expedited service pursuant to Section 18914. If the application of the child or youth for CalFresh benefits is denied, the county welfare department human services agency shall provide the child or youth a written notice explaining the reason for the denial.
SEC. 2.Section 18914.5 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:18914.5.(a)To the extent permitted by federal law, regulations, waivers, and directives, a resident of, or an individual on a waiting list to get into, a shelter for battered women and children who is currently included in a certified household that also contains the abuser, may apply for and, if otherwise eligible, shall be entitled to expedited services of an additional allotment of CalFresh benefits as a separate household.
(b)For purposes of this section, shelter for battered women and children has the same meaning as provided in Section 271.2 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
SEC. 3.Section 18926.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:18926.5.(a)For the purposes of this chapter, CalFresh Employment and Training program or CalFresh E&T means the program established under Section 6(d)(4)(B) of the federal Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. Sec. 2015), Section 273.7 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and associated administrative notices published by the United States Department of Agriculture with the purpose of assisting members of CalFresh households in gaining skills, training, work, or experience that will increase their ability to obtain regular employment.
(b)(1)A county that elects to participate in the CalFresh Employment and Training (CalFresh E&T) program, as authorized by the federal Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. Sec. 2015), shall screen CalFresh work registrants to determine whether they will participate in, or be deferred from, the CalFresh E&T program. CalFresh E&T. If deferred, a CalFresh work registrant may request to enroll in the CalFresh E&T program as a voluntary participant. An individual shall be deferred from a mandatory placement in the CalFresh E&T program if he or she satisfies any of the criteria in Sections 273.7 and 273.24 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, if he or she resides in a federally determined work surplus area, or if he or she is a veteran who has been honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces. Forces, or if he or she is a victim of domestic violence.
(2)For purposes of this section, deferred has the same meaning as exempt.
(c)(1)A county that elects to participate in the participating in CalFresh E&T program shall be required to demonstrate in its CalFresh E&T plan how it is effectively using CalFresh E&T funds for each of the components that the county offers, including, but not limited to, any of the following:
(A)Self-initiated workfare.
(B)Work experience or training.
(C)Education.
(D)Job search.
(E)The support services or client reimbursements needed to participate in subparagraphs (A) to (D), inclusive, as allowed by federal law and guidance.
(2)Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a county to offer a particular component as a part of its CalFresh E&T plan.
(d)Nothing in this section shall limit a countys ability to condition the receipt of nonmedical benefits under Section 17000 on an individuals participation in an employment and training or workfare program of the countys choice, even if that program is financed in whole or in part with CalFresh E&T funds or match funds.
(e)Nothing in this section shall restrict the use of federal funds for the financing of CalFresh E&T programs.
(f)Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a county to provide for workers compensation coverage for a CalFresh E&T participant. Notwithstanding Division 4 (commencing with Section 3200) of the Labor Code, a CalFresh E&T participant shall not be an employee for the purposes of workers compensation coverage coverage, and a county shall have no duty to provide workers compensation coverage for a CalFresh E&T participant.
(g)Notwithstanding the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), the department may implement this section by all-county letters or similar instructions. Thereafter, the department shall adopt regulations to implement this section by October 1, 2013.
SEC. 4.If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
SECTION 1.Section 18904.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:18904.1.(a)The director, to the extent permitted by federal law, shall establish methods for CalFresh benefit issuance in all counties that guarantee to low-income households the health-vital nutritional benefits available under this chapter and to achieve the most efficient system for program administration so as to minimize administrative costs.
(b)The director shall maintain methods for over-the-counter and mail issuance of CalFresh benefits in a county until issuance of CalFresh benefits by electronic benefits transfer for all CalFresh recipients in the county has been implemented pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 10065) of Part 1.
(c)County human services agencies shall maintain methods for over-the-counter issuance that guarantee program accessibility in all cases when a household has been found to be in immediate need of food assistance or when a household has been determined to be eligible for the replacement of a previous issuance.
(d)The department and county officials shall act pursuant to all federal authority to ensure that the replacement of a previous issuance of CalFresh benefits is made available as expeditiously as possible for all eligible recipients, using the methods established pursuant to subdivision (c).
(e)(1)If a recipient is eligible for a replacement of a previous issuance, the benefit may be issued by the county human services agency in the county where the recipient currently resides or in the county where the recipient received a previous issuance.
(2)If a recipient is eligible for a replacement of a previous issuance because he or she is a victim of domestic violence, the replacement benefit shall be issued in a manner that does not allow any information about the replacement or its request to be accessible to the person from whom the recipient is fleeing.
SEC. 2.If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
(a)The director, to the extent permitted by federal law, shall establish methods for CalFresh benefit issuance in all counties which that guarantee to low-income households the health-vital nutritional benefits available under this chapter and to achieve the most efficient system for program administration so as to minimize administrative costs.
(b)The director shall maintain methods for over-the-counter and mail issuance of CalFresh benefits in a county until issuance of CalFresh benefits by electronic benefits transfer for all CalFresh recipients in the county has been implemented pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 10065) of Part 1.
(c)Until issuance of CalFresh benefits by electronic benefits transfer has been implemented in a county for all CalFresh recipients, the director shall maintain, in the county, County human services agencies shall maintain methods for over-the-counter issuance that guarantee program accessibility in all cases where when a household has been found to be in immediate need of food assistance or where when a household has been determined to be eligible for the replacement of a previous issuance.
(d)The department and county officials shall act pursuant to all federal authority to ensure that the replacement of a previous issuance of CalFresh benefits is made available as expeditiously as possible for all eligible recipients, using the methods established pursuant to subdivision (c).
(e)(1)If a recipient is eligible for a replacement of a previous issuance, the benefit may be issued by the county human services agency in the county where the recipient currently resides or in the county where the recipient received a previous issuance.
(2)If a recipient is eligible for a replacement of a previous issuance because he or she is a victim of domestic violence, the replacement benefit shall be issued in a manner that does not allow any information about the replacement or its request to be accessible to the person from whom the recipient is fleeing.
SEC. 2.If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
SECTION 1.Section 18911 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:18911.(a)An application and an authorization for participation in CalFresh shall be processed within a period of not more than 30 days from the date of application.
(b)The department shall develop written information that describes the eligibility and verification requirements for expedited service, the process for applying for those benefits, and the availability of assistance in filling out the forms and gathering needed documentation.
(c)A county welfare department shall make the material developed pursuant to subdivision (b) available to an applicant at the time the applicant initially seeks CalFresh benefits.
(d)A county welfare department shall, upon request, make available the information developed pursuant to subdivision (b) to community action agencies, legal services offices, emergency food programs, and other programs.
(e)A county welfare department shall compile a list of emergency food providers in the area served by the local CalFresh office. The list shall be updated, based on information from the food providers. The list shall be made available upon request, and, where needed, may be used to refer individuals to emergency food sites that may be able to provide assistance.
(f)A county welfare department shall make available to CalFresh applicants, upon request, nonpromotional information that contains addresses and phone numbers of local legal services and welfare rights organizations.
(a)An application and an authorization for participation in CalFresh shall be processed within a period of not more than 30 days from the date of application.
(b)The department shall develop written information that describes the eligibility and verification requirements for expedited service, the process for applying for those benefits, and the availability of assistance in filling out the forms and gathering needed documentation.
(c)Each A county welfare department shall make the material developed pursuant to subdivision (b) available to each an applicant at the time the applicant initially seeks CalFresh benefits.
(d)Each A county welfare department shall, upon request, make available the information developed pursuant to subdivision (b) to community action agencies, legal services offices, emergency food programs, and other programs.
(e)Each A county welfare department shall compile a list of emergency food providers in the area served by the local CalFresh office. The list shall be updated, based on information from the food providers. The list shall be made available upon request, and, where needed, may be used to refer individuals to emergency food sites that may be able to provide assistance.
(f)Each A county welfare department shall make available to CalFresh applicants, upon request, nonpromotional information that contains addresses and phone numbers of local legal services and welfare rights organizations.
|
Date
|
Status
|
|---|---|
| Jun 1, 2016 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 80. Noes 0.) |
| Sep 7, 2016 | Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 12 p.m. |
| Aug 29, 2016 | Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 80. Noes 0. Page 6353.). |
| Aug 29, 2016 | Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. |
| Aug 24, 2016 | In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending. May be considered on or after August 26 pursuant to Assembly Rule 77. |
| Aug 23, 2016 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 39. Noes 0. Page 5270.). |
| Aug 23, 2016 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. |
| Aug 22, 2016 | Read second time. Ordered to third reading. |
| Aug 19, 2016 | Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading. |
| Aug 16, 2016 | Read second time and amended. Ordered to third reading. |
| Aug 15, 2016 | From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 11). |
| Aug 1, 2016 | In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file. |
| Jun 15, 2016 | From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 4. Noes 0.) (June 14). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| Jun 9, 2016 | Referred to Com. on HUMAN S. |
| Jun 2, 2016 | In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. |
| Feb 17, 2016 | Read first time. To print. |
| Jun 1, 2016 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 80. Noes 0. Page 5098.) |
| Jun 1, 2016 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. |
| May 31, 2016 | Read second time. Ordered to third reading. |
| May 27, 2016 | Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading. |
| May 27, 2016 | From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 20. Noes 0.) (May 27). |
| Apr 27, 2016 | In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file. |
| Apr 13, 2016 | From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (April 12). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| Apr 5, 2016 | Re-referred to Com. on HUM. S. |
| Apr 4, 2016 | From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on HUM. S. Read second time and amended. |
| Mar 17, 2016 | Re-referred to Com. on HUM. S. |
| Mar 16, 2016 | From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on HUM. S. Read second time and amended. |
| Mar 14, 2016 | Referred to Com. on HUM. S. |
| Feb 18, 2016 | From printer. May be heard in committee March 19. |
|
Date
|
Description
|
Location
|
Votes
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 29, 2016 | AB 2057 STONE Concurrence in Senate Amendments | Assembly Floor |
Passed |
|
| Aug 23, 2016 | Assembly 3rd Reading AB2057 Mark Stone By Leyva | Senate Floor |
Passed |
|
| Aug 11, 2016 | Do pass as amended | Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations |
Passed |
|
| Aug 1, 2016 | Placed on suspense file | Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations |
Passed |
|
| Jun 14, 2016 | Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] | Senate Standing Committee on Human Services |
Passed |
|
| Jun 1, 2016 | AB 2057 STONE Assembly Third Reading | Assembly Floor |
Passed |
|
| May 27, 2016 | Do pass as amended. | Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations |
Passed |
|
| Apr 12, 2016 | Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar | Assembly Standing Committee on Human Services |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
|
Organization
|
Position
|
Date
|
|---|---|---|
| Act for Women and Girls | ** Support | Aug 23, 2016 |
| Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault | ** Support | Aug 23, 2016 |
| Asian Women's Shelter | ** Support | Aug 23, 2016 |
| black women for wellness | ** Support | Aug 23, 2016 |
| California Food Policy Advocates | ** Support | Aug 23, 2016 |
| California Food Polity Advocates | ** Support | Jun 1, 2016 |
| California Immigrant Policy Center | ** Support | Jun 1, 2016 |
| California Partnership To End Domestic Violence | ** Support | Aug 23, 2016 |
| Center for Community Solutions | ** Support | Aug 23, 2016 |
| Center for Domestic Peace | ** Support | Aug 23, 2016 |
| Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse | ** Support | Aug 23, 2016 |
| CORA | ** Support | Jun 1, 2016 |
| DOVES of Big Bear Valley | ** Support | Aug 23, 2016 |
| Family Assistance Program | ** Support | Aug 23, 2016 |
| Family Violence Law Center | ** Support | Aug 23, 2016 |
| Feeding America San Diego | ** Support | Aug 23, 2016 |
| Filipina Women's Network | ** Support | Aug 23, 2016 |
| Food Access Coalition | ** Support | Aug 23, 2016 |
| Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano | ** Support | Jun 1, 2016 |
| Healthy Communities, Inc. | ** Support | Aug 23, 2016 |
| Hunger Action Los Angeles | ** Support | Aug 23, 2016 |
| Jenesse Center, Inc. | ** Support | Aug 23, 2016 |
| Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles | ** Support | Aug 23, 2016 |
| Legal Aid Society | ** Support | Aug 23, 2016 |
| Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence | ** Support | Aug 23, 2016 |
| Positive Women's Network | ** Support | Aug 23, 2016 |
| Project MANA | ** Support | Aug 23, 2016 |
| South Asian Network | ** Support | Aug 23, 2016 |
| Tahoe SAFE Alliance | ** Support | Aug 23, 2016 |
| Western Center On Law And Poverty Inc. | ** Support | Aug 23, 2016 |
| Women's Foundation of California - co-sponsor | ** Support | Jun 1, 2016 |
| Women's Policy Institute | ** Support | Aug 23, 2016 |
| Women's Transition Living Center | ** Support | Jun 1, 2016 |
| YWCA Glendale | ** Support | Jun 1, 2016 |
| YWCA of Glendale | ** Support | Aug 23, 2016 |
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
CSA1 Bill Id:AB 2057
Author:(Mark Stone)
As Amended Ver:August 19, 2016
Majority vote
ASSEMBLY: | 80-0 | (June 1, 2016) | SENATE: | 39-0 | (August 23, 2016) |
Original Committee Reference: HUM. S.
SUMMARY: Requires the Department of Social Services (DSS) to develop information on and provide expedited services for CalFresh benefits for victims of domestic violence.
The Senate amendments delete the requirement that each county human services agency offer annual training on CalFresh application procedures to domestic violence shelter operators and that the training include specific information regarding the eligibility of victims of domestic violence
EXISTING LAW:
- Establishes under federal law the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) pursuant to the Food Stamp Act of 1964 and establishes, in California statute, the CalFresh program to administer the provision of federal SNAP benefits to families and individuals meeting certain criteria, as specified. (Welfare and Institutions Code Section (WIC) 18900 et seq.)
- Establishes the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Act, and defines the EBT system as the program designed to provide benefits to those eligible to receive public assistance benefits such as California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) and CalFresh. (WIC 10065 et seq.)
- Requires a county human services agency to screen all CalFresh applications for entitlement to expedited services and to authorize immediate issuance of CalFresh benefits within a certain amount of time, as specified. (WIC 18914)
- Establishes within CalFresh the federal Employment and Training (E&T) program to assist members of CalFresh households in gaining skills, training, work, or experience that will increase their ability to obtain regular employment. (7 Code of Federal Regulations 273.7, WIC 18926.5)
- Establishes the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, which permits states to implement the program under a state plan. (42 United States Code Section 601 et seq.)
- Requires a county welfare department at the time of application to determine whether the applicant needs immediate assistance because the applicant does not have sufficient resources to meet his or her emergency needs, as specified. (WIC 11266 et seq.)
FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Senate Appropriations Committee on May 27, 2016, this bill may result in the following costs:
- Potentially significant increase in CalFresh benefits and state-reimbursable administration costs. (Federal/General Fund)
- Unknown, but likely significant administrative costs to DSS to develop materials and provide information on CalFresh expedited services to domestic violence shelters. (Federal/General Fund)
- Approximately $100,000 to DSS for information technology (IT) modifications to accommodate new eligibility criteria. (Federal/General Fund)
COMMENTS:
CalFresh: CalFresh benefits are funded entirely by the federal government through SNAP, and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) sets specific eligibility requirements for SNAP programs across the United States, including a gross and net income test, work requirements, and other documentation requirements. The maximum allowable gross income is typically 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Households with elderly or disabled members are not subject to gross income criteria but must have a net monthly income at or below 100% of the FPL. Other households must meet both gross and net monthly income tests. CalFresh is administered locally by county human services agencies, and the federal, state, and county governments share in the cost of administration of the program.
Benefits are made available on a monthly basis for food purchase through an ATM (automated teller machine)-like EBT card. However, unlike other types of benefits that may be accessed through an EBT card, CalFresh benefits cannot be withdrawn in cash at point-of-sale terminals or at ATM machines. CalFresh benefits can only be used to purchase food items to be prepared and consumed at home, as well as seeds and plants that can be grown at home and produce food. The average monthly benefit for a CalFresh recipient is $144.35 per month, or $4.81 per person per day.
According to DSS, certain households may qualify for expedited services for CalFresh benefits. These households experience the same application process as all other clients, but not all information has to be verified before benefits are issued.
CalFresh Employment and Training Program (E&T): The E&T Program is California's employment and training program for Non-assistance CalFresh applicants and recipients. Non-assistance recipients are those who receive CalFresh benefits each month but do not receive a monthly cash grant under the CalWORKs Program. CalFresh E&T was developed in order to comply with federal legislation which requires states to established employment and training programs for persons receiving SNAP benefits. Participants can be assigned to a variety of activities, which include job club, job search, workfare, and basic education, among others. For the 2016-2017 fiscal year, DSS estimates a caseload of 1,989,447 for Non-assistance CalFresh households.
Need for this bill: According to the author, "Escaping an abusive relationship is not only difficult but can also be dangerous for domestic violence victims. When individuals leave a domestic violence situation, it can be the most dangerous time in the relationship. It is important that victims are able to focus on their safety and the safety of anyone else they may be taking out of the household. At such a stressful and dangerous time in their lives, victims should not have to worry about how they will be able to eat and access their CalFresh benefits. If victims are on the same CalFresh card as their partners, they may worry their partners will track their movements through shared CalFresh accounts. To protect victims' safety, California must quickly process new CalFresh accounts for victims so they will be better protected from their partners and be able to access their benefits without worry."
Analysis Prepared by: Kelsy Castillo / HUM. S. / (916) 319-2089 FN: 0004726
Office of Senate Floor Analyses (916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) 327-4478 | AB 2057 |
THIRD READING
Bill No: AB 2057
Author: Mark Stone (D), et al.
Amended: 8/19/16 in Senate
SENATE HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE: 4-0, 6/14/16
AYES: McGuire, Hancock, Liu, Nguyen
NO VOTE RECORDED: Berryhill
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: 7-0, 8/11/16
AYES: Lara, Bates, Beall, Hill, McGuire, Mendoza, Nielsen
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 80-0, 6/1/16 - See last page for vote
SUBJECT: CalFresh: victims of domestic violence
SOURCE: California Partnership to End Domestic Violence
Western Center on Law and Poverty
Women’s Policy Institute
DIGEST: This bill authorizes CalFresh recipients who are residents of, or on a waiting list to get into, a shelter for battered women and children to receive expedited CalFresh services if the abuser is part of the CalFresh household. This bill also requires the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) to provide information on expedited services targeted to victims of domestic violence. This bill defers an individual who is a victim of domestic violence from mandatory placement in Employment and Training (E&T).
Senate Floor Amendments of 8/19/16 correct a drafting error that deleted existing law that requires homeless shelter operators to receive specified training on CalFresh application procedures. The amendments reinstate the previously deleted language.
Existing law:
- Establishes under federal law the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to promote the general welfare and to safeguard the health and wellbeing of the nation’s population by raising the levels of nutrition among low-income households. It establishes SNAP eligibility requirements, including income that is at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty level and is a substantial limiting factor in permitting a recipient to obtain a more nutritious diet. (7 CFR 271.1; 7 CFR 273.9)
- Establishes in California statute the CalFresh program to administer the provisions of federal SNAP benefits to families and individuals meeting specified criteria. (WIC 18900 et seq.)
- Establishes in the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Act a system for the distribution and use of public assistance benefits and requires EBT access to be provided through automated teller machines (ATMs), point-of-sale devices and other devices that accept EBT transactions. (WIC 10065 et seq.)
- Requires CDSS to develop CalFresh information on expedited services targeted to the homeless population, including unaccompanied homeless children and youths and to make the information available to homeless shelters, emergency food programs, local educational agency liaisons for homeless children and youths, and other community agencies that provide services to homeless people, as specified. (WIC 18904.25)
- Requires that each county welfare department shall annually offer training on CalFresh application procedures to homeless shelter operators, as specified. In addition, each county welfare department, upon request, shall provide homeless shelters with a supply of that portion of the CalFresh application used to request CalFresh expedited service. (WIC 18904.25 (b))
- Requires a county human services agency to screen all CalFresh applicants for entitlement to expedited services and to authorize immediate issuance of CalFresh benefits within a certain amount of time, as specified. (WIC 18914)
- Establishes within CalFresh the federal E&T program to assist members of CalFresh households in gaining skills, training, work, or experience that will increase their ability to obtain regular employment. (7 Code of Federal Regulations 273.7, WIC 18926.5)
- Requires a county welfare department at the time of application to determine whether the applicant needs immediate assistance because the applicant does not have sufficient resources to meet his or her emergency needs and whether the applicant is apparently eligible for aide, as specified. (WIC 11266 et seq.)
This bill:
- Requires CDSS to develop CalFresh information on expedited services, as specified, for victims of domestic violence.
- Adds domestic violence shelters to the list of entities where information regarding CalFresh expedited services is required to be made available.
- Requires each county human services agency to provide domestic violence shelters with a supply of CalFresh applications used to request expedited CalFresh services, if requested by the shelter.
- Requires that a victim of domestic violence who is currently a part of a certified household that also contains the abuser, and who is a resident of, or is on a waiting list to get into a shelter for battered women and children shall be entitled to receive expedited CalFresh benefits as a separate household, to the extent permitted by federal law, regulations, waivers, and directives.
- Defines “shelter for battered women and children” to have the same meaning as provided in Section 271.2 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
- Exempts CalFresh recipients who are victims of domestic violence from the CalFresh Employment and Training program.
- Makes other technical changes.
Background
Food Insecurity
Nationally, the USDA reported an estimated 14 percent of American households were food insecure at least some time during the year in 2014, meaning they lacked access to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members.
According to data from the California Health Interview Survey, at least four million low-income Californians struggled with food insecurity during 2011-12. A research brief published in 2012 by UCLA’s Center for Health Policy Research and the California Food Policy Advocates noted that in 2009, at the height the Recession, more than four in 10 Californian adults, roughly 3.8 million people, who were at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level suffered from food insecurity. Of those, more than one third – 1.4 million people – reported very low food security. This is defined as having to cut back on food. Nationally, about 5.7 percent of Americans suffered from very low food security.
CalFresh
CalFresh provides monthly benefits to assist low-income households in purchasing food or food product intended for human consumption. CalFresh benefits are 100% federally funded and national eligibility standards and benefit levels are established by the federal government. To participate in CalFresh, households must meet certain income-eligibility standards. The average monthly benefit for a CalFresh recipient in federal fiscal year 2015 was $126.83 per month, or $4.23 per day, according to the USDA. Households who receive or are eligible to receive cash assistance under CalWORKs or General Assistance/General Relief programs are categorically eligible for CalFresh.
CalFresh currently serves approximately 4.4 million people, according to USDA data. Nonetheless, California’s participation rate has been ranked last or near last in the country for years, prompting concerns from the USDA, stories in the state’s newspapers and two Legislative hearings in 2014.
CalFresh Expedited Services
CalFresh recipients and applicants can obtain expedited service if the household meets one of the following criteria:
- Has less than $150 in monthly gross income and liquid resources of $100 or less; or
- Migrant or seasonal farm workers who are destitute; or
- Combined monthly gross income and liquid resources which are less than the household monthly rent or mortgage and utilities.
Expedited CalFresh applicants go through the same process as all others, but not all information has to be verified before benefits are issued. Expedited CalFresh benefits are made available no later than the third calendar day following the date the application was filed.
CalFresh E&T Program
The E&T Program is California's employment and training program for CalFresh applicants and recipients who do not receive a monthly cash grant under the CalWORKs Program. CalFresh E&T was developed in order to comply with federal legislation which requires states to establish employment and training programs for persons receiving SNAP benefits. Participants can be assigned to a variety of activities, which include job club, job search, workfare, and basic education, among others.
Federal law requires that California must have an E&T program, but counties have the discretion about whether to offer the program to non-CalWORKs assisted CalFresh clients. According to CDSS, 26 counties currently offer E&T, and in those counties it is mandatory for select CalFresh recipients to participate, unless they are exempt or temporarily deferred. Currently, only military veterans are permanently exempted from mandatory E&T. Deferrals are provided on a case-by-case basis for those who are incapable of working, or are already working a minimum of 30 hours a week, among other things. Those who qualify for an exemption or deferral may still participate on a voluntary basis.
CDSS estimates a caseload of 1,989,447 for Non-CalWORKs assisted CalFresh households in Fiscal Year 2016-17.
Domestic Violence Shelter Statistics
According to a report issued in February 2016 by California’s Office of Emergency Services, 16,793 domestic violence victims and children were given emergency shelter in one of about 80 California shelters in Fiscal Year 2014-15. Additionally, 22,948 domestic violence victims and their children were provided emergency food and clothing.
According to CDSS, more than 16,500 CalWORKs clients were identified as potential victims of domestic abuse, related conflicts, or other safety concerns from July 2015 through May 2016. There is no data available on how many CalFresh recipients are given emergency shelter due to domestic violence.
Related/Prior Legislation
AB 309 (Mitchell, Chapter 97, Statutes of 2013) clarified that there is no minimum age requirement for CalFresh eligibility and requires information and training about CalFresh that is developed for the homeless to include information about unaccompanied homeless children, as specified. It also required county welfare departments to determine eligibility of benefits of an unaccompanied minor without delay and to notify the child or youth in writing of the reason, if the application is denied.
SB 134 (Hueso, Chapter 283, Statutes of 2013) required participating counties to exempt from the CalFresh E&T program a veteran who has been honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: Yes
According to the Senate Appropriations Committee:
- Potentially significant increase in CalFresh benefits and state-reimbursable administration costs. (Federal/GF)
- Unknown, but likely significant administrative costs to CDSS to develop materials and provide information on CalFresh expedited services to domestic violence shelters. (Federal/GF)
- Approximately $100,000 to CDSS for information technology modifications to accommodate new eligibility criteria. (Federal/GF)
California Partnership to End Domestic Violence (co-source)
Western Center on Law and Poverty (co-source)
Women’s Policy Institute (co-source)
ACT for Women and Girls
Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault
Asian Women’s Shelter
Black Women for Wellness
California Food Policy Advocates
Center for Community Solutions
Center for Domestic Peace
Coalition of California Welfare Rights Organizations, Inc.
Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse
Family Assistance Program
Family Violence Law Center
Feeding America San Diego
Filipina Women’s Network
Food Access Coalition
Healthy Communities, Inc.
Healthy Communities, Inc.
Hunger Action Los Angeles
Jenesse Center, Inc.
Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles
Legal Aid Society
Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence
Positive Women’s Network
Project MANA
South Asian Network
Tahoe SAFE Alliance
YWCA of Glendale
3 individuals
OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/15/16)
None received
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: According to the author, an individual who is a CalFresh recipient and a victim of domestic violence may share a CalFresh case file with his or her abuser. In such cases, when both the victim and the abuser share a CalFresh account, the abuser would have access to the location of CalFresh transactions which could place the victim in dangerous situation, per the author. Under these circumstances, the victim might not access benefits because he or she may need to say hidden from the abuser; however, the victim still needs access to a CalFresh account to be able to eat, according to the author. This bill will allow CalFresh recipients who are also domestic violence victims to receive expedited services so they can quickly access a new CalFresh account and receive their entitled replacement benefits as soon as possible, per the author.
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 80-0, 6/1/16
AYES: Achadjian, Alejo, Travis Allen, Arambula, Atkins, Baker, Bigelow, Bloom, Bonilla, Bonta, Brough, Brown, Burke, Calderon, Campos, Chang, Chau, Chávez, Chiu, Chu, Cooley, Cooper, Dababneh, Dahle, Daly, Dodd, Eggman, Frazier, Beth Gaines, Gallagher, Cristina Garcia, Eduardo Garcia, Gatto, Gipson, Gomez, Gonzalez, Gordon, Gray, Grove, Hadley, Harper, Roger Hernández, Holden, Irwin, Jones, Jones-Sawyer, Kim, Lackey, Levine, Linder, Lopez, Low, Maienschein, Mathis, Mayes, McCarty, Medina, Melendez, Mullin, Nazarian, Obernolte, O'Donnell, Olsen, Patterson, Quirk, Ridley-Thomas, Rodriguez, Salas, Santiago, Steinorth, Mark Stone, Thurmond, Ting, Wagner, Waldron, Weber, Wilk, Williams, Wood, Rendon
Prepared by: Taryn Smith / HUMAN S. / (916) 651-1524
8/22/16 22:41:45
**** END ****
Office of Senate Floor Analyses (916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) 327-4478 | AB 2057 |
THIRD READING
Bill No: AB 2057
Author: Mark Stone (D), et al.
Amended: 8/16/16 in Senate
SENATE HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE: 4-0, 6/14/16
AYES: McGuire, Hancock, Liu, Nguyen
NO VOTE RECORDED: Berryhill
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: 7-0, 8/11/16
AYES: Lara, Bates, Beall, Hill, McGuire, Mendoza, Nielsen
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 80-0, 6/1/16 - See last page for vote
SUBJECT: CalFresh: victims of domestic violence
SOURCE: California Partnership to End Domestic Violence
Western Center on Law and Poverty
Women’s Policy Institute
DIGEST: This bill authorizes CalFresh recipients who are residents of, or on a waiting list to get into, a shelter for battered women and children to receive expedited CalFresh services if the abuser is part of the CalFresh household. This bill also requires the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) to provide information on expedited services targeted to victims of domestic violence. This bill defers an individual who is a victim of domestic violence from mandatory placement in Employment and Training (E&T).
Existing law:
- Establishes under federal law the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to promote the general welfare and to safeguard the health and wellbeing of the nation’s population by raising the levels of nutrition among low-income households. It establishes SNAP eligibility requirements, including income that is at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty level and is a substantial limiting factor in permitting a recipient to obtain a more nutritious diet. (7 CFR 271.1; 7 CFR 273.9)
- Establishes in California statute the CalFresh program to administer the provisions of federal SNAP benefits to families and individuals meeting specified criteria. (WIC 18900 et seq.)
- Establishes in the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Act a system for the distribution and use of public assistance benefits and requires EBT access to be provided through automated teller machines (ATMs), point-of-sale devices and other devices that accept EBT transactions. (WIC 10065 et seq.)
- Requires CDSS to develop CalFresh information on expedited services targeted to the homeless population, including unaccompanied homeless children and youths and to make the information available to homeless shelters, emergency food programs, local educational agency liaisons for homeless children and youths, and other community agencies that provide services to homeless people, as specified. (WIC 18904.25)
- Requires a county human services agency to screen all CalFresh applicants for entitlement to expedited services and to authorize immediate issuance of CalFresh benefits within a certain amount of time, as specified. (WIC 18914)
- Establishes within CalFresh the federal E&T program to assist members of CalFresh households in gaining skills, training, work, or experience that will increase their ability to obtain regular employment. (7 Code of Federal Regulations 273.7, WIC 18926.5)
- Requires a county welfare department at the time of application to determine whether the applicant needs immediate assistance because the applicant does not have sufficient resources to meet his or her emergency needs and whether the applicant is apparently eligible for aide, as specified. (WIC 11266 et seq.)
This bill:
- Requires CDSS to develop CalFresh information on expedited services, as specified, for victims of domestic violence.
- Adds domestic violence shelters to the list of entities where information regarding CalFresh expedited services is required to be made available.
- Requires each county human services agency to provide domestic violence shelters with a supply of CalFresh applications used to request expedited CalFresh services, if requested by the shelter.
- Requires that a victim of domestic violence who is currently a part of a certified household that also contains the abuser, and who is a resident of, or is on a waiting list to get into a shelter for battered women and children shall be entitled to receive expedited CalFresh benefits as a separate household, to the extent permitted by federal law, regulations, waivers, and directives.
- Defines “shelter for battered women and children” to have the same meaning as provided in Section 271.2 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
- Exempts CalFresh recipients who are victims of domestic violence from the CalFresh Employment and Training program.
- Makes other technical changes.
Background
Food Insecurity
Nationally, the USDA reported an estimated 14 percent of American households were food insecure at least some time during the year in 2014, meaning they lacked access to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members.
According to data from the California Health Interview Survey, at least four million low-income Californians struggled with food insecurity during 2011-12. A research brief published in 2012 by UCLA’s Center for Health Policy Research and the California Food Policy Advocates noted that in 2009, at the height the Recession, more than four in 10 Californian adults, roughly 3.8 million people, who were at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level suffered from food insecurity. Of those, more than one third – 1.4 million people – reported very low food security. This is defined as having to cut back on food. Nationally, about 5.7 percent of Americans suffered from very low food security.
CalFresh
CalFresh provides monthly benefits to assist low-income households in purchasing food or food product intended for human consumption. CalFresh benefits are 100% federally funded and national eligibility standards and benefit levels are established by the federal government. To participate in CalFresh, households must meet certain income-eligibility standards. The average monthly benefit for a CalFresh recipient in federal fiscal year 2015 was $126.83 per month, or $4.23 per day, according to the USDA. Households who receive or are eligible to receive cash assistance under CalWORKs or General Assistance/General Relief programs are categorically eligible for CalFresh.
CalFresh currently serves approximately 4.4 million people, according to USDA data. Nonetheless, California’s participation rate has been ranked last or near last in the country for years, prompting concerns from the USDA, stories in the state’s newspapers and two Legislative hearings in 2014.
CalFresh Expedited Services
CalFresh recipients and applicants can obtain expedited service if the household meets one of the following criteria:
- Has less than $150 in monthly gross income and liquid resources of $100 or less; or
- Migrant or seasonal farm workers who are destitute; or
- Combined monthly gross income and liquid resources which are less than the household monthly rent or mortgage and utilities.
Expedited CalFresh applicants go through the same process as all others, but not all information has to be verified before benefits are issued. Expedited CalFresh benefits are made available no later than the third calendar day following the date the application was filed.
CalFresh E&T Program
The E&T Program is California's employment and training program for CalFresh applicants and recipients who do not receive a monthly cash grant under the CalWORKs Program. CalFresh E&T was developed in order to comply with federal legislation which requires states to establish employment and training programs for persons receiving SNAP benefits. Participants can be assigned to a variety of activities, which include job club, job search, workfare, and basic education, among others.
Federal law requires that California must have an E&T program, but counties have the discretion about whether to offer the program to non-CalWORKs assisted CalFresh clients. According to CDSS, 26 counties currently offer E&T, and in those counties it is mandatory for select CalFresh recipients to participate, unless they are exempt or temporarily deferred. Currently, only military veterans are permanently exempted from mandatory E&T. Deferrals are provided on a case-by-case basis for those who are incapable of working, or are already working a minimum of 30 hours a week, among other things. Those who qualify for an exemption or deferral may still participate on a voluntary basis.
CDSS estimates a caseload of 1,989,447 for Non-CalWORKs assisted CalFresh households in Fiscal Year 2016-17.
Domestic Violence Shelter Statistics
According to a report issued in February 2016 by California’s Office of Emergency Services, 16,793 domestic violence victims and children were given emergency shelter in one of about 80 California shelters in Fiscal Year 2014-15. Additionally, 22,948 domestic violence victims and their children were provided emergency food and clothing.
According to CDSS, more than 16,500 CalWORKs clients were identified as potential victims of domestic abuse, related conflicts, or other safety concerns from July 2015 through May 2016. There is no data available on how many CalFresh recipients are given emergency shelter due to domestic violence.
Related/Prior Legislation
AB 309 (Mitchell, Chapter 97, Statutes of 2013) clarified that there is no minimum age requirement for CalFresh eligibility and requires information and training about CalFresh that is developed for the homeless to include information about unaccompanied homeless children, as specified. It also required county welfare departments to determine eligibility of benefits of an unaccompanied minor without delay and to notify the child or youth in writing of the reason, if the application is denied.
SB 134 (Hueso, Chapter 283, Statutes of 2013) required participating counties to exempt from the CalFresh E&T program a veteran who has been honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: Yes
According to the Senate Appropriations Committee:
- Potentially significant increase in CalFresh benefits and state-reimbursable administration costs. (Federal/GF)
- Unknown, but likely significant administrative costs to CDSS to develop materials and provide information on CalFresh expedited services to domestic violence shelters. (Federal/GF)
- Approximately $100,000 to CDSS for information technology modifications to accommodate new eligibility criteria. (Federal/GF)
California Partnership to End Domestic Violence (co-source)
Western Center on Law and Poverty (co-source)
Women’s Policy Institute (co-source)
ACT for Women and Girls
Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault
Asian Women’s Shelter
Black Women for Wellness
California Food Policy Advocates
Center for Community Solutions
Center for Domestic Peace
Coalition of California Welfare Rights Organizations, Inc.
Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse
Family Assistance Program
Family Violence Law Center
Feeding America San Diego
Filipina Women’s Network
Food Access Coalition
Healthy Communities, Inc.
Healthy Communities, Inc.
Hunger Action Los Angeles
Jenesse Center, Inc.
Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles
Legal Aid Society
Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence
Positive Women’s Network
Project MANA
South Asian Network
Tahoe SAFE Alliance
YWCA of Glendale
3 individuals
OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/15/16)
None received
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: According to the author, an individual who is a CalFresh recipient and a victim of domestic violence may share a CalFresh case file with his or her abuser. In such cases, when both the victim and the abuser share a CalFresh account, the abuser would have access to the location of CalFresh transactions which could place the victim in dangerous situation, per the author. Under these circumstances, the victim might not access benefits because he or she may need to say hidden from the abuser; however, the victim still needs access to a CalFresh account to be able to eat, according to the author. This bill will allow CalFresh recipients who are also domestic violence victims to receive expedited services so they can quickly access a new CalFresh account and receive their entitled replacement benefits as soon as possible, per the author.
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 80-0, 6/1/16
AYES: Achadjian, Alejo, Travis Allen, Arambula, Atkins, Baker, Bigelow, Bloom, Bonilla, Bonta, Brough, Brown, Burke, Calderon, Campos, Chang, Chau, Chávez, Chiu, Chu, Cooley, Cooper, Dababneh, Dahle, Daly, Dodd, Eggman, Frazier, Beth Gaines, Gallagher, Cristina Garcia, Eduardo Garcia, Gatto, Gipson, Gomez, Gonzalez, Gordon, Gray, Grove, Hadley, Harper, Roger Hernández, Holden, Irwin, Jones, Jones-Sawyer, Kim, Lackey, Levine, Linder, Lopez, Low, Maienschein, Mathis, Mayes, McCarty, Medina, Melendez, Mullin, Nazarian, Obernolte, O'Donnell, Olsen, Patterson, Quirk, Ridley-Thomas, Rodriguez, Salas, Santiago, Steinorth, Mark Stone, Thurmond, Ting, Wagner, Waldron, Weber, Wilk, Williams, Wood, Rendon
Prepared by: Taryn Smith / HUMAN S. / (916) 651-1524
8/16/16 18:44:55
**** END ****
SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Senator Ricardo Lara, Chair
2015 - 2016 Regular Session
AB 2057 (Mark Stone) - CalFresh: victims of domestic violence
Version: May 27, 2016 | Policy Vote: HUMAN S. 4 - 0 |
Urgency: No | Mandate: Yes |
Hearing Date: August 11, 2016 | Consultant: Debra Cooper |
*********** ANALYSIS ADDENDUM – SUSPENSE FILE ***********
The following information is revised to reflect amendments
adopted by the committee on August 11, 2016
Bill Summary:
AB 2057 would authorize a CalFresh recipient who is resident of, or an individual on a waiting list to get into, a shelter for battered women and children to be entitled to expedited CalFresh services and exempt them from mandatory employment and training requirements. This bill would also add domestic violence shelters to the list of locations where the Department of Social Services (DSS) is required to distribute CalFresh materials.
Fiscal Impact:
- Potentially significant increase in CalFresh benefits and state-reimbursable administration costs. (Federal/GF)
- Unknown, but likely significant administrative costs to DSS to develop materials and provide information on CalFresh expedited services to domestic violence shelters. (Federal/GF)
- Approximately $100,000 to DSS for IT modifications to accommodate new eligibility criteria. (Federal/GF)
Committee Amendments:
Strikes language requiring each county human services agency to offer annual training on CalFresh application procedures to domestic violence shelter operators including eligibility criteria and specific information regarding the eligibility of victims of domestic violence.
-- END --
SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Senator Ricardo Lara, Chair
2015 - 2016 Regular Session
AB 2057 (Mark Stone) - CalFresh: victims of domestic violence
Version: May 27, 2016 | Policy Vote: HUMAN S. 4 - 0 |
Urgency: No | Mandate: Yes |
Hearing Date: August 1, 2016 | Consultant: Debra Cooper |
This bill meets the criteria for referral to the Suspense File.
Bill Summary:
AB 2057 would authorize a CalFresh recipient who is resident of, or an individual on a waiting list to get into, a shelter for battered women and children to be entitled to expedited CalFresh services and exempt them from mandatory employment and training requirements. This bill would also add domestic violence shelters to list the of locations where the Department of Social Services (DSS) is required to distribute CalFresh materials.
Fiscal Impact:
- Potentially significant increase in CalFresh benefits and state-reimbursable administration costs. (Federal/GF)
- Unknown, but likely significant administrative costs to DSS to develop materials and provide information on CalFresh expedited services to domestic violence shelters. (Federal/GF)
- Approximately $100,000 to DSS for IT modifications to accommodate new eligibility criteria. (Federal/GF)
- Unknown, but potentially significant reimbursable mandate costs to counties to provide information and annual training to domestic violence shelter operators on CalFresh application procedures and services.
Background:
California provides nutritional benefits to approximately 4.4 million people through the CalFresh program. CalFresh benefits are funded entirely by the federal government through the USDA’s SNAP program, which provides food benefits to eligible households nationwide. The maximum gross income allowed to be eligible is 130% of the federal poverty level. The average monthly benefit for a CalFresh recipient in 2014 was $141.99 per month, or $4.73 per day, according to the USDA.
According to the California Office of Emergency Services, 20,438 domestic violence survivors and children sought emergency shelter in 2014. According to the author, “escaping an abusive relationship is not only difficult but can also be dangerous for domestic violence victims… At such a stressful and dangerous time in their lives, victims should not have to worry about how they will be able to eat and access their CalFresh benefits. If victims are on the same CalFresh card as their partners, they may worry their partners will track their movements through shared CalFresh accounts. To protect victims’ safety, California must quickly process new CalFresh accounts for victims so they will be better protected from their partners and be able to access their benefits without worry.”
Currently, CalFresh recipients and applicants can obtain expedited service if the household has less than $150 in monthly gross income and $100 or less in liquid resources, has migrant or seasonal farm workers who are destitute, or the combined monthly gross income and liquid resources are less than the household monthly rent or mortgage and utilities. Expedited CalFresh benefits are made available no later than the third calendar day following the date the application was filed.
Federal law requires that California must have an Employment and Training (E&T) Program to assist recipients of CalFresh benefits in gaining skills, training, work, and experience that increases their ability to obtain regular employment. Counties have the discretion about whether to offer the program to non-assisted CalFresh clients. The federal government provides for a waiver from this work requirement under certain specified conditions. California was recently granted an extension of its current waiver and that waiver is set to expire on December 31, 2017. If California's statewide waiver application is denied in part or in whole for 2018 and future years, mandatory participation in CalFresh E&T for populations that are not otherwise exempt would apply.
Proposed Law:
This bill would:
- Require DSS to develop CalFresh information on expedited services, as specified, for victims of domestic violence.
- Add domestic violence shelters to the list of locations where information regarding CalFresh expedited service is required to be distributed.
- Require each county human services agency to offer annual training on CalFresh application procedures to domestic violence shelter operators, to include eligibility criteria and specific information regarding the eligibility of victims of domestic violence.
- Require each human services agency to provide domestic violence shelters with a supply of CalFresh applications used to request expedited CalFresh services, if requested by the shelter.
- Require that a victim of domestic violence who is currently a part of a certified household that also contains the abuser, and who is a resident of, or an individual on a waiting list to get into a shelter for battered women and children be entitled to receive expedited CalFresh benefits as a separate household, to the extent permitted by federal law, regulations, waivers, and directives.
- Exempt CalFresh recipients who are victims of domestic violence from the CalFresh Employment and Training Program.
Related Legislation:
SB 134 (Hueso, Chapter 283, Statutes of 2013) requires participating counties to exempt from the CalFresh E&T program, a veteran who has been honorably discharged from the United Stated Armed Forces.
Staff Comments:
The CalFresh E&T exemption would only impact domestic violence victims who do not have a dependent. Under SNAP, able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWD) are eligible for benefits for only three months within a 36-month period unless they participate in an E&T program. Existing law requires DSS to seek a statewide waiver from the ABAWD work requirement. This statewide waiver has been sought and granted every year since 2008. In the event that California is not approved for the waiver after the current waiver expires, work requirements will apply to the ABAWD population, including victims of domestic violence who do not have a dependent.
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SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES
Senator McGuire, Chair
2015 - 2016 Regular
Bill No: AB 2057
Author: | Mark Stone | ||
Version: | May 27, 2016 | Hearing Date: | June 14, 2016 |
Urgency: | No | Fiscal: | Yes |
Consultant: | Taryn Smith | ||
Subject: CalFresh: victims of domestic violence
SUMMARY
This bill authorizes CalFresh recipients who are residents of, or on a waiting list to get into, a shelter for battered women and children to receive expedited CalFresh services if the abuser is part of the CalFresh household. The bill also requires the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) to provide information on expedited services targeted to victims of domestic violence, and requires each county human services agency annually to offer training on CalFresh application procedures to domestic violence shelter operators. This bill defers an individual who is a victim of domestic violence from mandatory placement in Employment and Training (E&T).
ABSTRACT
Existing law:
- Establishes under federal law the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) within the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to promote the general welfare and to safeguard the health and wellbeing of the nation’s population by raising the levels of nutrition among low-income households. It establishes SNAP eligibility requirements, including income that is at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty level and is a substantial limiting factor in permitting a recipient to obtain a more nutritious diet. (7 CFR 271.1; 7 CFR 273.9)
- Establishes in California statute the CalFresh program to administer the provisions of federal SNAP benefits to families and individuals meeting specified criteria. (WIC 18900 et seq.)
- Establishes in the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Act a system for the distribution and use of public assistance benefits, such as CalFresh, and requires EBT access to be provided through automated teller machines (ATMs), point-of-sale devices and other devices that accept EBT transactions. (WIC 10065 et seq.)
- Requires CDSS to develop CalFresh information on expedited services targeted to the homeless population, including unaccompanied homeless children and youths and to make the information available to homeless shelters, emergency food programs, local educational agency liaisons for homeless children and youths, and other community agencies that provide services to homeless people, as specified. (WIC 18904.25)
- Requires a county human services agency to screen all CalFresh applicants for entitlement to expedited services and to authorize immediate issuance of CalFresh benefits within a certain amount of time, as specified. (WIC 18914)
- Establishes within CalFresh the voluntary federal Employment and Training (E&T) program to assist members of CalFresh households in gaining skills, training, work, or experience that will increase their ability to obtain regular employment. (7 Code of Federal Regulations 273.7, WIC 18926.5)
- Requires a county welfare department at the time of application to determine whether the applicant needs immediate assistance because the applicant does not have sufficient resources to meet his or her emergency needs and whether the applicant is apparently eligible for aide, as specified. (WIC 11266 et seq.)
This bill:
- Requires CDSS to develop CalFresh information on expedited services, as specified, for victims of domestic violence.
- Adds domestic violence shelters to the list of entities where information regarding CalFresh expedited services is required to be made available.
- Requires each county human services agency to offer annual training on CalFresh application procedures to domestic violence shelter operators, to include eligibility criteria and specific information regarding the eligibility of victims of domestic violence.
- Requires each county human services agency to provide domestic violence shelters with a supply of CalFresh applications used to request expedited CalFresh services, if requested by the shelter.
- Requires that a victim of domestic violence who is currently a part of a certified household that also contains the abuser, and who is a resident of, or an individual on a waiting list to get into, a shelter for battered women and children shall be entitled to receive expedited CalFresh benefits as a separate household, to the extent permitted by federal law, regulations, waivers, and directives.
- Defines “shelter for battered women and children” to have the same meaning as provided in Section 271.2 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
- Exempts CalFresh recipients who are victims of domestic violence from the CalFresh Employment and Training program.
- Makes other technical changes.
FISCAL IMPACT
According to an analysis prepared by the Assembly Appropriations Committee, this bill may result in unknown, likely moderate administrative costs (Federal/General Fund/County) to CDSS to develop and provide information on CalFresh expedited services to domestic violence shelters, including up to $100,000 for IT modifications to accommodate new eligibility criteria. Additionally, the bill may create unknown, potentially reimbursable mandate costs to counties to provide information and annual training to domestic violence shelter operators on CalFresh application procedures and services. Assuming each county spent $2,000 for this task, statewide costs would be $116,000 annually.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Purpose of the bill:
According to the author, an individual who is a CalFresh recipient and a victim of domestic violence may share a CalFresh case file with his or her abuser. In such cases, when both the victim and the abuser share a CalFresh account, the abuser would have access to the location of CalFresh transactions which could place the victim in dangerous situation, per the author. Under these circumstances, the victim might not access benefits because he or she may need to say hidden from the abuser; however, the victim still needs access to a CalFresh account to be able to eat, according to the author. This bill will allow CalFresh recipients who are also domestic violence victims to receive expedited services so they can quickly access a new CalFresh account and receive their entitled replacement benefits as soon as possible, per the author.
Food Insecurity
Nationally, the USDA reported an estimated 14 percent of American households were food insecure at least some time during the year in 2014, meaning they lacked access to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members.
According to data from the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS), at least 4 million low-income Californians struggled with food insecurity during 2011-12. A research brief published in 2012 by UCLA’s Center for Health Policy Research and the California Food Policy Advocates noted that in 2009, at the height the Recession, more than four in 10 Californian adults, roughly 3.8 million people, who were at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level suffered from food insecurity. Of those, more than one third – 1.4 million people – reported very low food security. This is defined as having to cut back on food. Nationally, about 5.7 percent of Americans suffered from very low food security.
CalFresh
CalFresh provides monthly benefits to assist low-income households in purchasing food or food product intended for human consumption. CalFresh benefits are 100% federally funded and national eligibility standards and benefit levels are established by the federal government. To participate in CalFresh, households must meet certain income-eligibility standards. The average monthly benefit for a CalFresh recipient in federal fiscal year 2015 was $126.83 per month, or $4.23 per day, according to the USDA. Households who receive or are eligible to receive cash assistance under CalWORKs or General Assistance/General Relief programs are categorically eligible for CalFresh.
CalFresh currently serves approximately 4.4 million people, according to USDA data. Nonetheless, California’s participation rate has been ranked last or near last in the country for years, prompting concerns from the USDA, stories in the state’s newspapers and two Legislative hearings in 2014.
Monthly benefits are issued through an ATM-like electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card. However, unlike other types of benefits that may be accessed through an EBT card, CalFresh benefits cannot be withdrawn in cash at point-of-sale terminals or at ATM machines. CalFresh benefits can only be used to purchase food items to be prepared and consumed at home, as well as seeds and plants that can be grown at home and produce food.
CalFresh Expedited Services
CalFresh recipients and applicants can obtain expedited service if the household meets one of the following criteria:
- Has less than $150 in monthly gross income and liquid resources of $100 or less; or
- Migrant or seasonal farm workers who are destitute; or
- Combined monthly gross income and liquid resources which are less than the household monthly rent or mortgage and utilities.
Expedited CalFresh applicants go through the same process as all others, but not all information has to be verified before benefits are issued. Expedited CalFresh benefits are made available no later than the third calendar day following the date the application was filed.
CalFresh Employment and Training Program (E&T)
The E&T Program is California's employment and training program for Non-assistance CalFresh applicants and recipients. Non-assistance recipients are those who receive CalFresh benefits each month but do not receive a monthly cash grant under the CalWORKs Program. CalFresh E&T was developed in order to comply with federal legislation which requires states to establish employment and training programs for persons receiving SNAP benefits. Participants can be assigned to a variety of activities, which include job club, job search, workfare, and basic education, among others.
Federal law requires that California must have an E&T program, but counties have the discretion about whether to offer the program to non-assisted CalFresh clients. According to CDSS, 26 counties currently offer E&T under which it is mandatory for select CalFresh recipients to participate, unless they are exempt or temporarily deferred. Currently, only military veterans are permanently exempted from mandatory E&T. Deferrals are provided on a case-by-case basis for those who are incapable of working, or are already working a minimum of 30 hours a week, among other things. Those who qualify for an exemption or deferral may still participate on a voluntary basis.
CDSS estimates a caseload of 1,989,447 for Non-assistance CalFresh households in Fiscal Year 2016-17.
Domestic Violence Shelter Statistics
According to a report issued by California’s Office of Emergency Services, 16,793 domestic violence victims and children were given emergency shelter in one of about 80 California shelters in Fiscal Year 2014-15. Additionally, 22,948 domestic violence victims and their children were provided emergency food and clothing.[1]
According to CDSS, more than 16,500 CalWORKs clients were identified as potential victims of domestic abuse, related conflicts, or other safety concerns from July 2015 through May 2016. There is no data available on how many CalFresh recipients are given emergency shelter due to domestic violence.
Related legislation:
AB 309 (Mitchell, Chapter 97, Statutes of 2013) clarified that there is no minimum age requirement for CalFresh eligibility and requires information and training about CalFresh that is developed for the homeless to include information about unaccompanied homeless children, as specified. It also requires county welfare departments to determine eligibility of benefits of an unaccompanied minor without delay and to notify the child or youth in writing of the reason, if the application is denied.
SB 134 (Hueso, Chapter 283, Statutes of 2013) requires participating counties to exempt from the CalFresh E&T program a veteran who has been honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces.
PRIOR VOTES
Assembly Floor: | 80 - 0 |
Assembly Appropriations Committee: | 20 - 0 |
Assembly Human Services Committee: | 7 - 0 |
POSITIONS
Support:
California Partnership to End Domestic Violence (Co-Sponsor)
Western Center on Law and Poverty (Co-Sponsor)
Women’s Policy Institute (Co-sponsor)
ACT for Women and Girls
Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault
Asian Women’s Shelter
Black Women for Wellness
California Food Policy Advocates
Center for Community Solutions
Center for Domestic Peace
Coalition of California Welfare Rights Organizations, Inc.
Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse (CORA)
DOVES of Big Bear Valley
Family Violence Law Center
Feeding America San Diego
Filipina Women’s Network (FWN)
Food Access Coalition
Healthy Communities, Inc.
Hunger Action Los Angeles
Jenesse Center, Inc.
Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles (JFSLA)
Legal Aid Society
Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence
Positive Women’s Network
Project MANA
South Asian Network
YWCA of Glendale
Tahoe SAFE Alliance
3 individuals
Oppose:
None
-- END --
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
ATR Bill Id:
Author:(Mark Stone)
As Ver:May 27, 2016
Majority vote
Committee | Votes | Ayes | Noes |
Human Services | 7-0 | Bonilla, Grove, Calderon, Lopez, Maienschein, Mark Stone, Thurmond | |
Appropriations | 20-0 | Gonzalez, Bigelow, Bloom, Bonilla, Bonta, Calderon, Chang, Daly, Eggman, Gallagher, Eduardo Garcia, Roger Hernández, Holden, Jones, Obernolte, Quirk, Santiago, Wagner, Weber, Wood |
|
SUMMARY: Requires the Department of Social Services (DSS) to develop information on and provide expedited services for CalFresh benefits for victims of domestic violence. Specifically, this bill:
- Requires DSS to develop CalFresh information on expedited services, as specified, for victims of domestic violence.
- Adds domestic violence shelters to the list of entities where information regarding CalFresh expedited services is required to be made available.
- Requires each county human services agency to offer annual training on CalFresh application procedures to domestic violence shelter operators, to include eligibility criteria and specific information regarding the eligibility of victims of domestic violence.
- Requires each county human services agency to provide domestic violence shelters with a supply of that portion of the CalFresh application used to request expedited CalFresh services, if requested by the shelter.
- Requires that a victim of domestic violence who is currently a part of a certified household that also contains the abuser, and who is a resident of, or an individual on a waiting list to get into, a shelter for battered women and children be entitled to receive expedited CalFresh benefits as a separate household, to the extent permitted by federal law, regulations, waivers, and directives.
- Exempts CalFresh recipients who are victims of domestic violence from the CalFresh Employment and Training program.
EXISTING LAW:
- Establishes under federal law the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) pursuant to the Food Stamp Act of 1964 and establishes, in California statute, the CalFresh program to administer the provision of federal SNAP benefits to families and individuals meeting certain criteria, as specified. (Welfare and Institutions Code Section (WIC) 18900 et seq.)
- Establishes the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Act, and defines the EBT system as the program designed to provide benefits to those eligible to receive public assistance benefits such as California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) and CalFresh. (WIC 10065 et seq.)
- Requires a county human services agency to screen all CalFresh applications for entitlement to expedited services and to authorize immediate issuance of CalFresh benefits within a certain amount of time, as specified. (WIC 18914)
- Establishes within CalFresh the federal Employment and Training (E&T) program to assist members of CalFresh households in gaining skills, training, work, or experience that will increase their ability to obtain regular employment. (7 Code of Federal Regulations 273.7, WIC 18926.5)
- Establishes the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, which permits states to implement the program under a state plan. (42 United States Code Section 601 et seq.)
- Requires a county welfare department at the time of application to determine whether the applicant needs immediate assistance because the applicant does not have sufficient resources to meet his or her emergency needs, as specified. (WIC 11266 et seq.)
FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, this bill may result in the following costs:
- Unknown, likely moderate administrative costs (Federal/General Fund/County) to DSS to develop and provide information on CalFresh expedited services to domestic violence shelters, including up to $100,000 for IT modifications to accommodate new eligibility criteria.
- Unknown, potentially reimbursable mandate costs to counties to provide information and annual training to domestic violence shelter operators on CalFresh application procedures and services. Assuming each county spent $2,000 for this task, statewide costs would be $116,000 annually.
COMMENTS:
CalFresh: CalFresh benefits are funded entirely by the federal government through SNAP, and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) sets specific eligibility requirements for SNAP programs across the United States, including a gross and net income test, work requirements, and other documentation requirements. The maximum allowable gross income is typically 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Households with elderly or disabled members are not subject to gross income criteria but must have a net monthly income at or below 100% of the FPL. Other households must meet both gross and net monthly income tests. CalFresh is administered locally by county human services agencies, and the federal, state, and county governments share in the cost of administration of the program.
Benefits are made available on a monthly basis for food purchase through an ATM-like electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card. However, unlike other types of benefits that may be accessed through an EBT card, CalFresh benefits cannot be withdrawn in cash at point-of-sale terminals or at ATM machines. CalFresh benefits can only be used to purchase food items to be prepared and consumed at home, as well as seeds and plants that can be grown at home and produce food. The average monthly benefit for a CalFresh recipient is $144.35 per month, or $4.81 per person per day.
According to DSS, certain households may qualify for expedited services for CalFresh benefits. These households experience the same application process as all other clients, but not all information has to be verified before benefits are issued.
CalFresh Employment and Training Program (E&T): The E&T Program is California's employment and training program for Non-assistance CalFresh applicants and recipients. Non-assistance recipients are those who receive CalFresh benefits each month but do not receive a monthly cash grant under the CalWORKs Program. CalFresh E&T was developed in order to comply with federal legislation which requires states to established employment and training programs for persons receiving SNAP benefits. Participants can be assigned to a variety of activities, which include job club, job search, workfare, and basic education, among others. For the 2016-2017 fiscal year, DSS estimates a caseload of 1,989,447 for Non-assistance CalFresh households.
Need for this bill: According to the author, "Escaping an abusive relationship is not only difficult but can also be dangerous for domestic violence victims. When individuals leave a domestic violence situation, it can be the most dangerous time in the relationship. It is important that victims are able to focus on their safety and the safety of anyone else they may be taking out of the household. At such a stressful and dangerous time in their lives, victims should not have to worry about how they will be able to eat and access their CalFresh benefits. If victims are on the same CalFresh card as their partners, they may worry their partners will track their movements through shared CalFresh accounts. To protect victims' safety, California must quickly process new CalFresh accounts for victims so they will be better protected from their partners and be able to access their benefits without worry."
Analysis Prepared by: Kelsy Castillo / HUM. S. / (916) 319-2089 FN: 0003324
Date of Hearing: April 27, 2016
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Lorena Gonzalez, Chair
ABPCA Bill Id:AB 2057
Author:(Mark Stone) – As Amended Ver:April 4, 2016
Policy Committee: | Human Services | Vote: | 7 - 0 |
|
|
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: Yes Reimbursable: Yes
SUMMARY: This bill establishes an entitlement to CalFresh expedited services for victims of domestic violence and exempts them from mandatory employment and training requirements. The bill further adds domestic violence shelters to the list of locations where a county human services agency must distribute CalFresh materials, including information on expedited services, and requires each county human services agency to offer training to those shelter operators regarding application procedures and eligibility requirements for victims of domestic violence.
FISCAL EFFECT:
- Unknown, likely moderate administrative costs (Fed/GF/County) to the Department of Social Services (DSS) to develop and provide information on CalFresh expedited services to domestic violence shelters, including up to $100,000 for IT modifications to accommodate new eligibility criteria.
- Unknown, potentially significant reimburseable mandate costs to counties to provide information and annual training to domestic violence shelter operators on CalFresh application procedures and services. Assuming each county spent $2,000 for this task, statewide costs would be $116,000.
COMMENTS:
- Purpose. According to the author, “Escaping an abusive relationship is not only difficult but can also be dangerous for domestic violence victims. When individuals leave a domestic violence situation, it can be the most dangerous time in the relationship. It is important that victims are able to focus on their safety and the safety of anyone else they may be taking out of the household. At such a stressful and dangerous time in their lives, victims should not have to worry about how they will be able to eat and access their CalFresh benefits. If victims are on the same CalFresh card as their partners, they may worry their partners will track their movements through shared CalFresh accounts. To protect victims’ safety, California must quickly process new CalFresh accounts for victims so they will be better protected from their partners and be able to access their benefits without worry.”
- CalFresh. CalFresh benefits are funded entirely by the federal government through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) sets specific eligibility requirements for SNAP programs across the United States, including a gross and net income test, work requirements, and other documentation requirements. The maximum allowable gross income is typically 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). CalFresh is administered locally by county human services agencies, and the federal, state, and county governments share in the cost of administration.
Benefits are available on a monthly basis for food purchase through an ATM-like electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card. However, CalFresh benefits cannot be withdrawn in cash at point-of-sale terminals or at ATM machines. CalFresh benefits can only be used to purchase food items to be prepared and consumed at home, as well as seeds and plants that can be grown at home and produce food. The average monthly benefit for a CalFresh recipient is $144.35 per month.
According to DSS, certain households may qualify for expedited services for CalFresh benefits if they meet the following criteria:
- Have less than $150 in monthly gross income and liquid resources of $100 or less; or
- Contain migrant or seasonal farm workers who are destitute; or
- Have a combined monthly gross income and liquid resources which are less than the household monthly rent or mortgage and utilities.
This bill adds a victim of domestic violence who is currently a part of a certified household that also contains the abuser, and who is a resident of, or an individual on a waiting list to get into, a shelter for battered women and children, to those qualified to receive expedited CalFresh benefits.
Under existing law, DSS is required to develop and make available to homeless shelters, among other locations, CalFresh information on expedited services targeted to the homeless population. Each county welfare department is required to annually offer training on CalFresh application procedures to homeless shelter operators. This bill would expand these requirements to include victims of domestic violence and domestic violence shelter operators.
- CalFresh Employment and Training Program (E&T). The CalFresh Employment and Training (E&T) Program is California’s employment and training program for Non-assistance CalFresh applicants and recipients. Non-assistance recipients are those who receive CalFresh benefits each month but do not receive a monthly cash grant under the CalWORKs Program.
CalFresh E&T was developed in order to comply with federal legislation which requires states to established employment and training programs for persons receiving SNAP benefits. Participants can be assigned to a variety of activities, which include job club, job search, workfare, and basic education, among others. For the 2016-2017 fiscal year, the DSS estimates a caseload of 1,989,447 for Non-assistance CalFresh households.
This bill exempts CalFresh recipients who are victims of domestic violence from the CalFresh Employment and Training program.
Analysis Prepared by: Jennifer Swenson / APPR. / (916) 319-2081
Date of Hearing: April 12, 2016
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES
Susan Bonilla, Chair
ABPCA Bill Id:AB 2057 (
Author:Mark Stone) – As Amended Ver:April 4, 2016
SUBJECT: CalFresh: application information
SUMMARY: Requires the Department of Social Services (DSS) to develop information on and provide expedited services for CalFresh benefits for victims of domestic violence.
Specifically, this bill:
- Requires DSS to develop CalFresh information on expedited services, as specified, for victims of domestic violence.
- Adds domestic violence shelters to the list of entities where information regarding CalFresh expedited services is required to be made available.
- Requires each county human services agency to offer annual training on CalFresh application procedures to domestic violence shelter operators, to include eligibility criteria and specific information regarding the eligibility of victims of domestic violence.
- Requires each county human services agency to provide domestic violence shelters with a supply of that portion of the CalFresh application used to request expedited CalFresh services, if requested by the shelter.
- Requires that a victim of domestic violence who is currently a part of a certified household that also contains the abuser, and who is a resident of, or an individual on a waiting list to get into, a shelter for battered women and children be entitled to receive expedited CalFresh benefits as a separate household, to the extent permitted by federal law, regulations, waivers, and directives.
- Exempts CalFresh recipients who are victims of domestic violence from the CalFresh Employment and Training program.
EXISTING LAW:
- Establishes under federal law the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) pursuant to the Food Stamp Act of 1964 and establishes, in California statute, the CalFresh program to administer the provision of federal SNAP benefits to families and individuals meeting certain criteria, as specified. (WIC 18900 et seq.)
- Establishes the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Act, and defines the EBT system as the program designed to provide benefits to those eligible to receive public assistance benefits such as CalWORKs and CalFresh. (WIC 10065 et seq.)
- Requires a county human services agency to screen all CalFresh applications for entitlement to expedited services and to authorize immediate issuance of CalFresh benefits within a certain amount of time, as specified. (WIC 18914)
- Establishes within CalFresh the federal Employment and Training (E&T) program to assist members of CalFresh households in gaining skills, training, work, or experience that will increase their ability to obtain regular employment. (7 CFR 273.7, WIC 18926.5)
- Defines in federal statute, approved activities under the E&T program including education, as specified, participation in a Workforce Investment Act program, and other activities. (7 U.S.C. Sec. 2015(e)(3)(B))
- Establishes the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, which permits states to implement the program under a state plan. (42 USC § 601 et seq.)
- Establishes in state law the CalWORKs program to provide cash assistance and other social services for low-income families through the TANF program. Under CalWORKs, each county provides assistance through a combination of state, county and federal TANF funds. (WIC 10530)
- Requires a county welfare department at the time of application to determine whether the applicant needs immediate assistance because the applicant does not have sufficient resources to meet his or her emergency needs, as specified. (WIC 11266 et seq.)
FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown.
COMMENTS:
CalFresh: CalFresh benefits are funded entirely by the federal government through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) sets specific eligibility requirements for SNAP programs across the United States, including a gross and net income test, work requirements, and other documentation requirements. The maximum allowable gross income is typically 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Households with elderly or disabled members are not subject to gross income criteria but must have a net monthly income at or below 100% of the FPL. Other households must meet both gross and net monthly income tests. CalFresh is administered locally by county human services agencies, and the federal, state, and county governments share in the cost of administration of the program.
Benefits are made available on a monthly basis for food purchase through an ATM-like electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card. However, unlike other types of benefits that may be accessed through an EBT card, CalFresh benefits cannot be withdrawn in cash at point-of-sale terminals or at ATM machines. CalFresh benefits can only be used to purchase food items to be prepared and consumed at home, as well as seeds and plants that can be grown at home and produce food. The average monthly benefit for a CalFresh recipient is $144.35 per month, or $4.81 per person per day.
According to DSS, certain households may qualify for expedited services (ES) for CalFresh benefits. These households experience the same application process as all other clients, but not all information has to be verified before benefits are issued. Households may qualify for ES if the household meets the following criteria:
- Has less than $150 in monthly gross income and liquid resources of $100 or less; or
- Contains migrant or seasonal farm workers who are destitute; or
- Has a combined monthly gross income and liquid resources which are less than the household monthly rent or mortgage and utilities.
CalFresh Employment and Training Program (E&T): The CalFresh Employment and Training (E&T) Program is California’s employment and training program for Non-assistance CalFresh applicants and recipients. Non-assistance recipients are those who receive CalFresh benefits each month but do not receive a monthly cash grant under the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) Program.
CalFresh E&T was developed in order to comply with federal legislation which requires states to established employment and training programs for persons receiving SNAP benefits. Participants can be assigned to a variety of activities, which include job club, job search, workfare, and basic education, among others. For the 2016-2017 fiscal year, the DSS estimates a caseload of 1,989,447 for Non-assistance CalFresh households.
Need for this bill: According to the author, “Escaping an abusive relationship is not only difficult but can also be dangerous for domestic violence victims. When individuals leave a domestic violence situation, it can be the most dangerous time in the relationship. It is important that victims are able to focus on their safety and the safety of anyone else they may be taking out of the household. At such a stressful and dangerous time in their lives, victims should not have to worry about how they will be able to eat and access their CalFresh benefits. If victims are on the same CalFresh card as their partners, they may worry their partners will track their movements through shared CalFresh accounts. To protect victims’ safety, California must quickly process new CalFresh accounts for victims so they will be better protected from their partners and be able to access their benefits without worry.”
According to the bill’s sponsor, the Western Center on Law and Poverty, “many people experiencing abuse find they have limited or no say in their own finances. Fear regarding financial stability often determines whether they return to a person who has abused them. Concern about continued access to benefits, such as CalFresh, adds to anxieties regarding how they and their children will survive…[This bill] will ease one major barrier for people leaving an abusive situation by improving access to anti-hunger benefits.”
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
Asian Women’s Shelter
California Food Polity Advocates (CFPA)
California Immigrant Policy Center
Center for Domestic Peace
CORA
Feeding America San Diego
Filipina Women’s Network (FWN)
Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano
Healthy Communities, Inc.
Hunger Action Los Angeles
Jenesse Center, Inc.
Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles
Legal Aid Society – Employment Law Center
Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence
Orange County Food Access Coalition (OCFAC)
Positive Women’s Network – USA
Project MANA
Western Center on Law & Poverty - sponsor
Women’s Foundation of California – co-sponsor
Women’s Transition Living Center
YWCA Glendale
5 individuals
Opposition
None on file.
Analysis Prepared by: Kelsy Castillo / HUM. S. / (916) 319-2089
Discussed in Hearing
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Bill Author
Bill Co-Author(s):
