CalFresh: veteran eligibility.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and digest text do not provide specific details on the cost of implementing these changes or the exact nature of the federal approval process.

CalFresh: Making It Easier for Veterans

This law allows veterans to qualify more easily for CalFresh benefits by requesting a waiver from federal rules that count job search costs as income and requires counties to provide information about local help and training programs.

What This Bill Does

• It asks the State Department of Social Services to request permission from the federal government to exclude certain job search costs from veterans' income when determining CalFresh eligibility.
• It mandates that counties must give veterans applying for CalFresh benefits referrals to local veteran assistance and job training agencies, regardless of whether they are exempt from mandatory placement in special job training programs.

Who It Names or Affects

• Veterans who need food assistance
• Counties responsible for distributing CalFresh benefits

Terms To Know

CalFresh

A program in California that helps people buy food when they don't have enough money.

Veteran

Someone who has served in the military and is now retired or no longer active duty.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify how much it will cost to reimburse counties for additional work they have to do.
• It's uncertain if the federal government will approve the requested changes to CalFresh rules.

Official Summary Text

SB 1201, as amended, McNerney.
CalFresh: veteran eligibility.
Existing federal 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 federal law establishes eligibility requirements, including specified income eligibility standards, for receipt of CalFresh benefits.
This bill would require the State Department of Social Services, on or before April 1, 2027, to submit a request to the United States Department of Agriculture for a waiver to exclude the costs incurred by a veteran associated with the veteran’s job search from countable income in the determination of eligibility and benefit level for receiving CalFresh
benefits,
benefits
and to exempt specified veterans from the time limit and associated work requirements. The bill would require the waivers to be implemented within 6 months from their approval. To the extent the bill would expand the duties of counties, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
Existing law authorizes counties to participate in the CalFresh Employment and Training (CalFresh E&T) program, established by federal law, to provide work experience or training and job search training to CalFresh recipients. Existing law requires, in a county that elects to participate in the program, that a veteran applying for CalFresh benefits who is required to register to work, but who is exempt from mandatory placement in the CalFresh E&T program, be provided with specified referrals to veterans’ assistance and job training agencies if those agencies are known to the county.
This
bill would require a county to provide those referrals to veterans’ assistance and job training agencies whether or not the veteran applying for CalFresh benefits is exempt from mandatory placement in the CalFresh E&T 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 the statutory provisions noted above.

Current Bill Text

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