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C.142
To: Board of Supervisors
From: FAMILY & HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE
Date: July  9, 2019
The Seal of Contra Costa County, CA
Contra
Costa
County
Subject: SNAP/CalFresh (Food Stamp) Program Status Report

APPROVE OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On:   07/09/2019
APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor
ABSENT:
John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Contact: Kathy Gallagher
cc: CAO-H&HS Deputy     CAO-Muni Svcs Deputy     EHS Director    
I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED:     July  9, 2019
David Twa,
 
BY: , Deputy

 

RECOMMENDATION(S):

ACCEPT status report on the Employment and Human Services Department's implementation of the expansion of CalFresh benefits to SSI (Supplemental Security Income/Supplementary Payments) recipients effective June 1, 2019

FISCAL IMPACT:

No fiscal impact. This is an informational report only.

BACKGROUND:

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.  
  





BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)
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, 2019. Today's update summarizes information provided to FHS on June 10, 2019 (see attached report).   
  
Kathy Gallagher reported that the department had thus far received 1,400 new CalFresh applications through both online and office access points, and expected that number could increase to 1,600 by the end of the week. She advised that the CalWIN system is now available for accepting new applications but is not yet functional for managerial reporting.  
  
Kathy advised that 24 staff (19 temporary and 5 permanent) have been hired and are in the process of being trained to process new CalFresh applications. Until new staff are fully trained, existing staff have been diverted from other functions and are working overtime to respond to the workload spike, which is expected to level off at some point. EHSD has 30 days to process a new applications; Kathy clarified that regardless of the date that applications are approved, public benefits will be retroactive to the application date for qualifying applicants. Kathy advised that she plans to form a special division dedicated to SSI applicants to better manage SSI cases.  
  
Kathy summarized that $30 million is available Statewide for CalFresh (sourced by 50%/50% State/federal funding); however, counties may draw down from these funds only for emergency purposes. Counties are attempting to get relief from this restriction and also from possible sanctions for missing the 30-day processing deadline. The FY 18/19 State allocation was deemed insufficient and the FY 19/20 even less so. EHSD is performing time studies to track and report costs to comply with this mandate.  
  
Larry and Katelyn Sly commented that the County has underestimated the number of applicants and that they have been told by applicants that their appointments were set in mid-July, past the 30-day statutory deadline. Mariana Moore commented that people are hungry and the system has failed them. She suggested that more funding be funneled to CBOs such as the food bank. Lauren Hansen observed that the County was not processing CalFresh applicants even before the CalFresh expansion to SSI recipients.  
  
Kathy Gallagher summarized that, except for IHSS, EHS staffing is adequate in light of the amount of funding that is available.  
  
The Committee accepted the staff report and requested an update at the Committee's next meeting on July 29.  

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