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Expansion of CalFresh to SSI/SSP Recipients

Expansion of CalFresh to SSI/SSP Recipients. Danielle Wilson Program Analyst, CalFresh Outreach Shaina Meiners Policy Analyst, CalFresh Policy, Access CalFresh and Nutrition Branch California Department of Social Services (CDSS)

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Expansion of CalFresh to SSI/SSP Recipients

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  1. Expansion of CalFresh to SSI/SSP Recipients Danielle Wilson Program Analyst, CalFresh Outreach Shaina Meiners Policy Analyst, CalFresh Policy, Access CalFresh and Nutrition Branch California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Statewide Self Advocacy Network (SSAN) Meeting September 5, 2019

  2. Agenda • CalFresh Expansion: Policy Change Overview • Impact on SSI Households • Getting the Most Out of CalFresh • CalFresh Expansion Results…So Far • CalFresh Outreach • Resources • Questions and Answers

  3. CalFresh Expansion Policy Change Overview

  4. Policy Change Overview: CalFresh Expansion • Beginning June 1, 2019 older adults and people with a disability receiving SSI/SSP may be eligible for CalFresh Food for the first time since the 1970s.

  5. Background: SSI/SSP • Supplemental Security Income (SSI) – is a federal income supplement program for eligible older adults (aged 65 or older) or people living with a disability who have little or no income. It provides cash assistance to meet basic needs, such as shelter. ​ • SSI is NOT Social Security​ • State Supplementary Payment (SSP) – is the state program that augments SSI. If an individual qualifies for SSI, then they qualify for SSP.

  6. Background: SSI Cash-Out • In 1974, California opted to increase the SSP grant instead of administering what was then known as the Food Stamp Program.  ​ • This option was known as “cash-out”.​ • Over time, the value of CalFresh benefits increased, while the “cash-out” amount remained flat and lost relative value.​ • In 2018, California was the only state still using the “cash-out” option.​

  7. CalFresh Expansion Assembly Bill (AB) 1811, the Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Human Services Omnibus Trailer Bill​ • Reversed the SSI Cash-Out policy.​ • Created two new state-funded nutrition benefit programs:​ • The Supplemental Nutrition Benefit (SNB) Program.​ • The Transitional Nutrition Benefit (TNB) Program.​ • For parity with SSI/SSP recipients, provided for a Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) grant increase of $10 per individual

  8. New State-Funded Nutrition Benefit Programs Two new state-funded nutrition benefit programs were created to help households negatively impacted by the change: Transitional Nutrition Benefit (TNB) Program The TNB Program provides transitional state-funded nutrition benefits to CalFresh Food households that experience a CalFresh Food eligibility loss at the time of implementation of the expansion of CalFresh to SSI recipients. Supplemental Nutrition Benefit (SNB) Program The SNB Program provides supplemental state-funded nutrition benefits to CalFresh Food households that experience a CalFresh Food benefit reduction at the time of implementation of the expansion of CalFresh Food to SSI recipients.

  9. Pop Quiz (1) True or False? The Supplemental Nutrition Benefit (SNB) Program provides state-funded nutrition benefits to CalFresh households that experience a CalFresh eligibility lossat the time of implementation of the expansion of CalFresh to SSI recipients.

  10. Impact of CalFresh Expansion on SSI Households For new applicants and for households already receiving CalFresh Food benefits

  11. Impact of CalFresh Expansion on Households with Members Receiving SSI Image Provided by LAO SNB TNB

  12. For New Applicants • For more information– CalFreshFood.org • Click, Call, or Come in • Get Help • Reasonable accommodations • Language services

  13. Authorized Representative • A household may designate an Authorized Representative to act on behalf of the household for CalFresh Food benefits.

  14. For Households Already Receiving CalFresh • Households who already receive CalFresh Food benefits and who have someone who receives SSI do not need to reapply. Counties will contact those households at their next report date • Households can always contact counties with questions or to report a change.

  15. Outcomes For Households Already Receiving CalFresh SNB TNB

  16. Two New State Nutrition Programs SNB and TNB Program Benefits…. • Are not considered income for other income-based social service programs. • Can be used like CalFresh Food (only for food). • Will be issued monthly on EBT cards.

  17. Pop Quiz (1) What is a website where you can find out more about CalFresh Food?

  18. Getting the Most Out of CalFresh

  19. Medical Expense Deductions • CalFresh household members above the age of 60 and those living with a disability who have verified medical expenses above $35 a month qualify to claim a medical expense deduction.

  20. Dependent Care Deduction • Eligible households may deduct actual costs for dependent care, including child care or care for an “elderly and/or disabled” member regardless of age. • Households qualify for the dependent care deduction if they require dependent care to allow a household member to: • Accept or continue work, or • Attend school, or • Attend training to prepare for work.

  21. Restaurant Meals Program • Older adults, people living with a disability, and people experiencing homelessness may be eligible • An optional program that allows eligible individuals to use CalFresh benefits to purchase hot and prepared meals at participating restaurants • Newly eligible SSI/SSP recipients qualify You can learn more about participating counties here: http://www.ebtproject.ca.gov/Clients/calfreshrmp.html

  22. CalFresh Expansion Results….So Far

  23. CalFresh Dollars Issued in April 2019 through July 2019

  24. Number of CalFresh Applications April through June 2019

  25. Number of Calls on the CalFresh Information Line

  26. Number of Total CalFresh Applications: June 2018 versus June 2019 Comparison

  27. My family has CalFresh already, but that is only for my two kids and wife. I do not have CalFresh, and I am receiving SSI. However recently I received a letter saying that any person receiving SSI may be eligible for CalFresh food benefits. How can I apply for CalFresh? (San Bernardino County) Client Voices I finally received my EBT card, great. I’ve got it thanks to Andrew so much. Happy day! (Contra Costa County) • Quotes provided by Code for America Thank you so much for your help. I received a call yesterday. The lady left me a message with a phone number to call back for an interview. I called back 5 minutes to 5:00pm and she was kind enough to process the application and approved it. (San Francisco County)

  28. CalFresh Outreach

  29. Web Page: CalFreshFood.org

  30. GetCalFresh.org • Digital application assister tool​ • Mobile friendly​ • Works on top of existing systems and routes to county on-line portal (MyBCW, C4Yourself, or YBN)​ • Languages include:  English, Spanish, Cantonese/Mandarin

  31. CalFresh Information Line • 1-877-847-3663 (FOOD)​ • Routes calls to county telephone number • Languages include:  English, Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Vietnamese, and Korean​ • 711 Relay Services available

  32. County Office Locator Map • Assists clients in finding county office information (address, hours of operation, phone number) • Clients can enter zip code or select “my current location” • Mobile friendly • Compatible with Google Translate

  33. Web Page: CalFreshFood.org/Partners

  34. Outreach Toolkit Overview Translations in Spanish, Russian, Cantonese, and Vietnamese languages Available in large print, digitally accessible format, and Braille for Posters in English/Spanish mailing to counties and assisters Digital tool kit featuring client and partner materials: • Flyer • Posters (various sizes) • Brochures • Older Adults • People with Disabilities • Caregivers • Fact Sheet

  35. Outreach Toolkit Materials: Flyer

  36. Outreach Toolkit Materials: Poster

  37. Outreach Toolkit Materials: Brochures Caregivers People with Disabilities Older Adults

  38. Outreach Toolkit Materials: Fact Sheet

  39. CDSS Outreach Plan August 2019 Radio • :30 – English and :30 Spanish • English recorded by CHHS Secretary Ghaly • Live read scripts to be made available to radio networks in English, Spanish, Cantonese/Mandarin, Russian, Vietnamese, & Korean

  40. New Local Partner outreach across California • 33 Area Agencies on Aging/Department of Aging (CDA) • 28 Independent Living Centers/Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) • 21 Regional Centers/Department of Developmental Services (DDS)

  41. What can you do to help? Now! • Statewide Media Clips ongoing, including news, letters, op-eds, more • ASL Video will be available on CalFreshFood.org

  42. New Ways of Accessing CalFresh Food Benefits

  43. Social Media • Social media samples in English, Spanish, Chinese and Vietnamese posted • Follow us on Twitter @CaliforniaDSS or find us on Facebook at California Department of Social Services Like, share, or comment!

  44. Resources • CalFresh Expansion Policy Guidance • CalFresh Expansion Training • Go to CalFreshFood.org for information on how to apply, and for flyers and other materials • Email us with questions • Danielle.Wilson@dss.ca.gov • Shaina.Meiners@dss.ca.gov

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