CalFresh redeterminations are suspended for March, April, and May, 2020 because of COVID-19. [Executive Order N-29-20.]
For March, 2020 CalFresh semi-annual reports (SAR 7s), as many discontinuances as as possible will be stopped using an automated process. For March SAR 7s that have already been processed, counties must manually rescind any discontinuances as a result of information on the SAR 7. Processing that resulted in a benefit increase will not be changed. Counties must stop processing March SAR 7s. [All County Welfare Directors Letter, March 27, 2020.]
Households will continue to receive benefits in the amount they were eligible for in the month the report was due. That amount will continue unless the household completes a voluntary or mandatory report resulting in a benefits change. [Id.]
For March CalFresh annual recertifications, households will be granted a new six-month certification period with a recertification due in September, 2020. All CalFresh households granted a new six month certification period must be issued a notice informing of their new certification period and new recertification due date. [Id.]
For April and May CalFresh SAR 7s, automated mailing SAR 7 documents has stopped. Households will continue to receive benefits in the amount they were eligible for in the month the report was due. Households must continue to complete all mandatory reports. The waiver of the SAR 7 reporting requirement does not change the household’s originally assigned certification period. That amount will continue unless the household completes a voluntary or mandatory report resulting in a benefits change. Counties must disregard any April or May SAR 7s that are submitted. [Id.]
For April and May CalFresh recertifications, households will be granted a new six-month certification period with a recertification due in October or November, respectively. Automated mailing of May recertification packets will stop. April recertification packets have already been mailed. Households will continue to receive benefits in the amount they were eligible for in the month the report was due. That amount will continue unless the household completes a voluntary or mandatory report resulting in a benefits change. Counties will disregard any April or May recertifictions or redeterminations that are submitted. [Id.]
Transitional CalFresh households who have recertification due in March, April or May will need to complete recertification as originally scheduled. [Id.]