CALFRESH

63-401 Residency

Purpose

(X) To release a new policy and to convert existing policy to new writing style

(   ) To release a new form

(   ) Revision of existing policy and/or form(s).

To reiterate policy concerning issues related to residency and reporting requirements regarding Residency, Whereabouts Unknown, and EBT out of state/county usage.  To provide steps on how to treat Public Assistance CalFresh (PACF) and Non-Assistance CalFresh (NACF) cases in different situations regarding residency outside Los Angeles county, such as temporary absences, EBT out of county/state usage, Inter-County Transfers (ICTs),  homelessness,  persons residing in another state, but applying for CalFresh in California, reporting responsibilities, overissuances, mail returned as Undeliverable or Addressee Unknown.

Note:  Changes are shown highlighted in grey throughout the document.

Policy

An applicant/participant must live in Los Angeles county to participate in the CalFresh program application process.  They must participate in one county only in a given month.  No individual may participate as a member of more than one household (HH), or in more than one county in any month.

·         The applicant’s permanent intention of residency is not required for the CalFresh residency evaluation, unless the applicant left the county/state and does not intend to return;

·         Permanent dwelling or fixed mailing address is not a condition of eligibility; and

·         Using CalFresh benefits out of the county or state by itself must not be a reason for terminating CalFresh benefits of CalFresh HHs, including homeless HHs.

Note:  HHs visiting Los Angeles county solely for visitation/vacation purposes are not considered residents.

CalFresh HHs are not required to report address change other than during application, recertification, or SAR 7 periods.

An Overissuance (OI) must not be established solely on basis of HHs using their CalFresh benefits out of the county/state, returned mail or temporary absences.

Background

As part of the Department’s continuing effort to reduce CalFresh denials and terminations due to incorrect residency determination, “Whereabouts Unknown,” or EBT out of county/state usage, this document provides with the steps and policy clarification to determine residency eligibility for the CalFresh Program.

Definitions

Temporary absences out of county for an extended period of time may include various reasons , such as temporary work assignments, taking care/visiting sick relative, search for employment, etc. The length of absence from Los Angeles county for any if these reasons, when confirmed, may be up to one year. 

Requirements

CalFresh cases should never be terminated for the Whereabouts Unknown reason.

·         PACF cases will transition to Transitional CalFresh (TCF) following CalWORKs termination.

·         NACF cases must remain active and the CF 387 Request for Information (RFI) process must be followed.

·         For the ICT cases the ICT process must be followed.

·         EBT out of county/state usage cases for temporary absences/residency in another county/state for various reasons with the intention to return to their initial county of residence must be evaluated based on CF 387 RFI procedure. 

The CF 387 RFI process must be followed per instructions below.

Verification Documents

Note: Any of these forms received complete, can be used for CalFresh residency

          verification purposes as well.