.Purpose

Policy

Background

Release Date:

February 3, 2020

Definitions

Requirements

Verification Docs

CALFRESH

63-502 Treatment of Foster Care Income for Non-Minor Dependents

Purpose

(     ) To release a new policy

(  ) To release a new form

(  ) To convert existing policy to new writing style only – No concept changes

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

 

The purpose of this document is to provide revised  policy and procedures for the treatment of foster care income for Non-Minor Dependents (NMD) in Transitional Housing Placement Programs (THPP).

 

What Changed?

 

·         The Transitional Housing Placement Plus Foster Care (THP+FC) program was renamed to Transitional Housing Placement Program for Non-Minor Dependent (THPP-NMD).

·         The Department of Children and Family Services now requires the service providers of THPP-NMD programs to withhold a monthly savings of $75 from the Extended Foster Care (EFC) payment received for the NMD.

·         Extended Foster payment amounts have been updated.

 

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

Policy

 

 

 

CalFresh policy requires that any income received directly by the NMD be used to  determine eligibility and benefit amount as follows:

 

·         Foster care income received directly by the NMDs is counted as unearned income.

·         Earned income from the employment designated by the Transitional Independent Living Plan (TILP) to enable the NMD to gain knowledge of needed skills, work habits, and the responsibility of maintaining employment is exempt. All other earned income is counted towards the eligibility and benefit amount determination. Whether reported at Intake, SAR, recertification or voluntarily mid-period, foster care income is treated and updated to the system the same way.

Background

On December 4, 2018, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors adopted a motion introduced by Supervisors Hilda L. Solis and Sheila Kuehl instructing Directors of the Department of Public Social Services (DPSS), Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), and Probation Department to reduce food insecurity among Transition Age Youth (TAY) aged 18-21, by ensuring they are screened and assisted with applying for CalFresh at every placement change and during the 90-day transition plan meeting.

Definitions

 

 

 

Term

Description

Non-Minor Dependent (NMD)

A person who is 18-20 years of age and is participating in extended foster care (under dependency, transition, or delinquency jurisdiction). Extended foster care was established in 2010 by the passage of California Assembly Bill 12, The Fostering Connections to Success Act and was implemented starting in 2012.

Transitional Independent Living Plan (TILP)

The transitional housing placement options for NMD’s that are SILP, THPP, and THPP-NMD. The goal of these programs is to provide a safe living environment, while assisting NMDs with developing the life skills necessary to be successful living independently. NMDs may live alone, with a roommate, or in a college dorm/university housing.

Supervised Independent Living Placement Program (SILP)

SILP is offered to NMDs ages 18-21. It is intended to provide NMDs the opportunity for highly independent living experiences while they receive foster care payments and Supportive Transition(ST) services. 

 

There is customarily no caregiver or provider to assist the NMD as with other placement types.

Transitional Housing Placement Program (THPP)

THPP is offered to foster youth ages 16-18.

 

 

 

Transitional Housing Placement Program-
Non-Minor Dependent (THPP-NMD)

THPP-NMD is offered to NMDs ages 18-21.

 

 

Requirements

N/A

Verification Documents

NMDs may submit a written statement as verification of their SILP, THPP or THPP-NMD income.

 

NMDs are required to comply with all other existing policies and procedures regarding verification documents for CalFresh eligibility.