Agenda

Back to Calendar Return

11.

FAMILY AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE

Meeting Date:	11/13/2019
Subject: SNAP/CalFresh (Food Stamp) Program Follow-up Report
Submitted For:	Kathy Gallagher
Department:	Employment & Human Services
Referral No.:	FHS #103
Referral Name:	SNAP/CalFresh (Food Stamp) Program
Presenter:	Kathy Gallagher	Contact:	Rebecca Darnell, Director, Workforce Svcs Bureau

Information

Referral History:

The SNAP Program was originally referred to the Family and Human Services Committee by the Board or Supervisors on February 15, 2011. This program was formerly known as Food Stamps and is currently known as the Federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). In California, the name of the program is CalFresh.

EHSD has presented periodic status reports to the FHS related to concerns about extended wait times for benefits and the anticipated impact of the expansion of CalFresh benefits to SSI (Supplemental Security Income/Supplementary Payments) recipients effective June 1, 2019. FHS received status reports on September 24 and December 3, 2018; and on April 22, June 10, July 29, and September 23, 2019. EHSD also presented a status report directly to the Board of Supervisors on July 9, 2019.

In September 2019, Kathy Gallagher and Rebecca Darnell updated the FHS Committee. Kathy reported that CalFresh applications were beginning to level off at about 2,700 per month as compared to 2,200 per month prior to the SSI expansion.

Kathy also advised that effective September 1, the current waiver for Contra Costa County from the Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) 90-day limit for CalFresh benefits was terminated. The termination of this waiver is somewhat mitigated by individual exemptions that are allotted to each state based on annual caseload. The County has adopted the State's criteria for granting the exemptions and has elected to approve exemptions for all individuals who have exhausted their 90-days of benefits. The exemptions will maintain benefits for these individuals until April 2020 or until such time that employment is found for them.

Rebecca reported that the Food Bank and other community organizations such as Opportunity Junction have partnered with EHSD to assist clients in navigating the application process to receive new or expanded benefits or ABAWD exemptions.

Caitlyn Sly alleged that EHSD was unwisely discouraging clients from using the "Get CalFresh.org" website to apply for benefits.

Mariana Moore commented that EHSD should not celebrate the leveling off of new CalFresh applications. She stated that the significant unmet need warrants further outreach. She requested data from EHSD on the number of recipients who qualified for only a $15 benefit vs. those who qualified for more once the Medi-Cal exemption was verified. She felt that telegraphing a low expectation for additional benefits had discouraged participation.

Colleen Kauth complained that EHSD had not responded to her letter sent in June/July, to which Kathy Gallagher responded that she was in consultation with County Counsel. Ms. Kauth stated that while 90% compliance is the threshold to avoid DHS fines, 100% compliance is required by law.

Vice Chair Gioia wrapped up the discussion by asking EHSD to provide better estimates of potential benefits to people to encourage greater participation.

The Committee accepted the report and Vice Chair Gioia asked that the Bay Area Legal Aid's concerns be referred for discussion by the Board in its next closed session. He also directed EHSD to report back to the Committee in November with a written outreach plan involving community partners and with a current staffing model and proposed staffing model should there be new federal funding allocations.

Referral Update:

Please see attached report from EHS Director Kathy Gallagher providing an update on the department's implementation of the CalFresh benefits expansion, the department's CalFresh Outreach Plan, and staffing needs.

Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):

ACCEPT status report from the Employment and Human Services Department on the department's implementation of the CalFresh benefits expansion, and its CalFresh Outreach Plan and staffing needs.

Attachments
CalFresh Status Update, Outreach Plan, and Staffing Needs