DPSS ePolicy

Normal Processing

The normal processing timeframe for an application is 30 calendar days. A determination of eligibility on a submitted application must be made as soon as administratively possible, but no later than 30 calendar days following the application date. The day the application is received is considered day zero.

Third-Party Collateral Contact

Collateral contact is a method of verification used when documentary evidence is not readily available. It can be a verbal or written confirmation of a HH’s circumstances by a person or organization that is most likely to know the information that needs to be verified. The third-party contact can be made by telephone, letter, or during an office interview. Examples of collateral contacts are employers, landlords, social services agencies, neighbors, relatives of the HH, etc.

Elderly or Disabled

An individual is considered elderly or disabled if any of the following applies:

• Is 60 years of age or older;
   

• Receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits under Title XVI, or disability or blindness payments under Title II (Social Security Disability Insurance Program) of the Social Security Act;
   

• Receives disability retirement benefits from a government agency because of a disability considered permanent under Section 221(i) of the Social Security Act;
  
  
• Receives interim assistance benefits pending receipt of SSI, if the eligibility to receive those benefits is based upon disability or blindness criteria which are at least as stringent as those used under Title XVI of the Social Security Act;
  
  
• Receives disability-related medical assistance under Title XIX (Medi-Cal) of the Social Security Act;
  
  
• Receives disability-based General Relief (GR) benefits, if the eligibility to receive those benefits is based upon disability or blindness criteria which are at least as stringent as those used under Title XVI of the Social Security Act;
  
  
• Is a veteran with a service-connected or non-service-connected disability rated by the Veteran’s Administration (VA) as total or paid as total by the VA under Title 38 of the United States Code;
  
  
• Is a veteran considered by the VA to need regular aid and attendance or is permanently housebound under Title 38 of the United States Code;
  
  
• Is a surviving spouse of a veteran and considered by the VA to need regular aid and attendance or is permanently housebound or a surviving child of a veteran and considered by the VA to be permanently incapable of self-support under Title 38 of the United States Code;
   

• Is a surviving spouse or surviving child of a veteran and considered by the VA to be entitled to compensation for a service-connected death or pension benefits for a non-service-connected death under Title 38 of the United States Code and has a disability considered permanent, under Section 221(i) of the Social Security Act (“Entitled” as used in this definition refers to those veterans’ surviving spouses and surviving children who are receiving the compensation or pension benefits stated or have been approved for such payments, but are not yet receiving them); or
  
  
• Receives an annuity payment under Section 2(a)(1)(iv) of the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 and is determined to be eligible to receive Medicare by the Railroad Retirement Board; or Section 2(a)(1)(v) of the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 and is determined to be disabled based upon the criteria used under Title XVI of the Social Security Act.
   

Note: All GR individuals classified as Needs Special Assistance (NSA) using Title XVI of the Social Security Act criteria are considered disabled for CalFresh purposes, regardless of the length of the disability.

Documentary Evidence

The primary source of verification consists of a written confirmation of a HH’s circumstances.  Examples of documentary evidence include, but are not limited to:

• Pay stubs;
  
  
• Child support obligation/Child support payments;
  
  
• Child support income; and
  
  
• Medical expense.
   

Homeless

An individual or HH that:

• Lacks a fixed and regular nighttime residence; and
  
  
• Primary nighttime residence is a place not designed for, nor ordinarily used, as a regular sleeping accommodation, such as:
  
  
  • A supervised publicly or privately-operated shelter (including a welfare hotel or congregate shelter) designed to provide temporary living accommodations;
    
    
  • A halfway house or similar institution that provides a temporary residence for individuals intended to be institutionalized;
    
    
  • A temporary accommodation for not more than 90 days in the residence of another individual; or
    
    
  • A public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as regular sleeping accommodation for human beings (e.g., hallway, bus station, lobby, vehicle, or similar places).
     

All homeless HHs who incur, or reasonably expect to incur, shelter costs during a month are eligible for the Homeless Standard Shelter Allowance (HSSA) Deduction without providing verification of the shelter costs. 

Homeless HHs may be able to claim shelter and/or utility costs higher than the HSSA if verified.

Questionable Information

To be considered questionable, the information on the application must be inconsistent with the applicant’s statements during the interactive interview, and/or other information received or known to the county.

Verification of questionable information can be secured using methods such as, but not limited to:

• Documentary Evidence;
  
  
• Electronic Verification;
  
  
• Third-Party Collateral Contacts; or
  
  
• Applicant Statement
   

As with mandatory verifications, a specific type of verification must not be required when verifying questionable information.  If verification of an expense is requested because it was determined to be questionable and the verification is not provided, the expense can only be allowed once it is verified.  

Rescission

When the application is rescinded, the HH does not experience a break-in-benefits, and the applicant:

• Is not required to reapply for CalFresh; and
  
  
• Benefits are not prorated.
   

Restoration of Eligibility and Benefits

The restoration of CalFresh eligibility and benefits must be offered to every Non-Assistance CalFresh (NACF) HH.  The HH is entitled to choose to file a new application or have CalFresh benefits restored if the HH provides the mandatory verification that caused the denial between the 31^st and 60^th day following the application date. 

The second 30-day period (days 31-60) must not be applied when the HH has been denied for a reason other than failure to provide mandatory information and/or verification. 

When the application is restored, the HH’s benefits are prorated from the date of compliance (i.e., the mandatory information and/or verification is received). The HH is not required to submit a new application. 

NACF

A HH who receives CalFresh benefits only or receives CalFresh and Medi-Cal.

PACF

A CalFresh HH in which members receive some type of Public Assistance (PA) in addition to CalFresh, including CalWORKs, Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), SSI/State Supplemental Program (SSP), and General Assistance/GR.

Under the category of PACF HH, there are six subcategories based on the public assistance benefits received by each HH member. These PACF HH subcategories and definitions are:

• PACF CalWORKs-Only HH: A CalFresh HH in which all included members also receive CalWORKs cash benefits;
  
  
• PACF Tribal TANF-Only HH: A CalFresh HH in which all included members also receive Tribal TANF cash benefits;
  
  
• PACF SSI/SSP-Only HH: A CalFresh HH in which all included members also receive SSI/SSP benefits;
  
  
• PACF GR-Only HH: A CalFresh HH in which all included members also receive GR benefits;
  
  
• PACF Multiple PA: A CalFresh HH in which all included members receive public assistance from any combination of the following program types: CalWORKs, Tribal TANF, SSI/SSP, and/or GR; and
  
  
• PACF Mixed: A CalFresh HH in which one or more included members receive CalFresh and PA from any combination of the following program types: CalWORKs, Tribal TANF, SSI/SSP and/or GR.
   

PA recipients include individuals authorized to receive PA benefits, whether they are receiving a PA payment. This includes recipients whose PA benefits have been suspended or recouped or those who are entitled to PA benefits but are not paid such benefits because the grant is less than $10.00.

An application must be submitted/filed for a HH to be evaluated for CalFresh benefits.  An application can be submitted via any of the following sources:

• In-person at any of the district offices;
  
  
• By mail;
  
  
• By fax;
  
  
• By telephone;
  
  
• Online via BenefitsCal;
  
  
• Community-Based Organizations (CBO) or Faith-Based Organizations (FBO);
  
  
• CalFresh Application Assisters; or
  
  
• Outreach efforts.

Los Angeles County applicants have the option to be served in the district office of their choice, even if the HH does not reside within the district’s geographic servicing area, or to accept a referral to another office.

The applicant must be informed of the following options available to them:

• The option to have the application accepted and processed at the current office;
  
  
• The option to have the application forwarded to the district office designated to service their area (based on the applicant’s address); or
  
  
• Provide the applicant with the address and telephone number of the district office designated to service their area (based on the applicant’s address).
   

Note: An application can be submitted at any office. However, if the applicant chooses to apply at a district office closest to them, the applicant must be advised of their right to file an application on the same day of their inquiry to preserve the begin date of aid.

Any of the following applications can be submitted to request CalFresh benefits:

• CF 285, Application for CalFresh Benefits;
  
  
• CF 285A, Application for CalFresh Benefit (Prepopulated);
  
  
• SAWS 1, Initial application for CalFresh, Cash Aid/GR, and/or Medi-Cal/Health Care Programs;
  
  
• SAWS 2 PLUS, Application for CalFresh, Cash Aid/GR and/or Medi-Cal/Health Care Programs;
  
  
• CF 485, CalFresh Elderly Simplified Application; or
  
  
• CF 37, Recertification Application – CalFresh Only Households
   

All the above listed applications are acceptable.  Applicants are required to sign only one CalFresh application. When the SAWS 1 is completed and signed by the applicant at the district office, it must be accepted as a signed CalFresh application.  When the application is received via BenefitsCal, and the HH has applied for other programs, the electronically signed SAWS 2 PLUS meets the requirement of a signed application for CalFresh. When the CF 285 application is either dropped off at a district office, received via mail, fax, or through an outreach program, no signature is required on the SAWS 1.

For CalFresh purposes, the minimum required information for any of the applications referenced must include the following:

• Applicant’s full name;
  
  
• Applicant’s address (if homeless, district address is acceptable); and
  
  
• Head-of-HH, spouse, any other adult responsible HH member, or the Authorized Representative’s (AR) signature.
   

When more information, than the information on the application, is needed to determine eligibility for CalFresh, the HH is responsible for providing all information necessary to process the application.

Requirement to Provide a Copy of the Application

When an application is completed via telephonic signature, Eligibility staff must provide/mail a copy of the application (system-generated SAWS 2 PLUS) to the applicant after the interview is conducted. HHs will then have an opportunity to request corrections or report omissions within ten calendar days from the date the telephonic signature was captured. 

When an application is submitted online via BenefitsCal, in-person at the district office, by mail, fax, or drop-off box, the applicant must be offered a copy of the application (system-generated SAWS 2 PLUS) after the interview is conducted. If requested, a copy of the application must be provided/mailed to the applicant.

Note: Eligibility staff must inform the applicant that when their BenefitsCal account is linked to their case, a copy of the application is also available to view on BenefitsCal.

There is no age requirement to apply for CalFresh benefits. Anyone who is considered an individual living alone, under CalFresh policy, must be given the opportunity to apply as a one-person HH.

If a youth applicant has been emancipated or is not under the parental control of an adult, they may apply as a one-person HH.

The following applicants are not allowed to have a separate HH regardless of purchasing and preparing food separately:

• Minors under 18 years of age, living with and under the parental control of a HH member who is not their natural, adopted, or stepparent;
   

• A person under 22 years of age who is living with their natural, adopted, or stepparents;
   

• A spouse of any member of the HH;
   

• Boarders; and
   

• Children of narcotic addicts or alcoholics who reside at a treatment center.
   

Parental control is defined as a child (other than a foster child) under 18 years of age who lives with and is under the parental control of a HH member other than their parent.  A child is under parental control for purposes of this provision if they are financially or otherwise dependent on a member of the HH unless state law defines such person as an adult.

When HHs include a homeless youth temporarily seeking accommodation in the residence of an adult who exhibits parental control over the youth, the youth must apply for CalFresh benefits as part of the same HH as the adult.   

All HHs must be interviewed prior to determining CalFresh Program eligibility.  Eligibility staff must ensure that an interactive interview (whether face-to-face or telephonically) is conducted in the applicant’s preferred language.  The interview scope must not extend beyond examining HH circumstances directly related to determining HH eligibility and the basis of benefit issuance.  The individual interviewed may be:

• Head-of-HH;
   

• Spouse;
   

• Any other responsible member of the HH; or
   

• AR
   

CalFresh Intake interviews must be completed via telephone, whenever possible. However, a face-to-face interview may be scheduled if the applicant:

• Requests a face-to-face interview;
   

• Is in the district office;
   

• Is also applying for another program, such as CalWORKs or GR, that requires a face-to-face interview; or
   

• If deemed necessary, to clarify a condition of eligibility.
   

The HHs may not be required to attend a face-to-face interview if attending the interview will be a hardship.  In this case, the interview must be conducted via telephone.

A telephone interview must not negatively affect the application process. The same information must be provided during the interview, and the same verification must be requested regardless of the type of interview conducted.

At the time of the interactive interview, the following must be reviewed with the applicant:

• ES rules;
   

• IRT Limit;
  
  

• CF LA 100;
   

• Sample SAR 7;
   

• SAR 7A;
   

• SAR 7 ADDENDUM;
   

• Rights & Responsibilities (R&R);
  
  

• Voter registration information; and
  
  

• Work registration and participation requirements.
   

The HH must be informed of the following mandatory mid-period reports:

• Gross monthly income over the IRT for HHs approved with income under 130% Federal Poverty Level (FPL);
   

• Substantial lottery and/or gambling winnings, which are over the current Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) resource limit for elderly and/or disabled HHs; and
  
  
• ABAWD: a decrease in hours worked, that is less than 20 hours per week, or 80 hours average monthly.

Note: The Statewide ABAWD Time Limit Waiver has expired on November 2, 2025. However, implementation of the ABAWD Time-Limit will not occur until June 1, 2026.

During the interactive interview, the HH must listen to an audio file or hear the Eligibility staff read the script of the R&R in their applicant’s preferred language.

HHs subject to the SAR requirements must be provided with an explanation of how the report must be completed and submitted during the initial interview.

The Voter Registration information must be reviewed with HHs in the initial interview. HHs must be provided with assistance in completing these forms and must be informed that receipt of CalFresh benefits is not linked in any way to the applicant’s decision to register or not register to vote.

A copy of the R&R, sample SAR 7, SAR 7A, SAR 7 ADDENDUM, CF LA 100 and Voter Registration information must be provided or mailed to the applicant.

Verification is the use of documentation or a third-party collateral contact to confirm the accuracy of statements or information. No requirement for any specific document must be imposed.  All reasonable efforts must be made to assist the HH in obtaining verification through third-party collateral contacts or readily available documentary and/or electronic verification.

Electronic sources of verification include, but are not limited to:

• Medi-Cal Eligibility Data System (MEDS);
   

• The Work Number®;
  
  

• Timesheet At-A-Glance (TAG) for information regarding the In-Home Supportive Services Program;
  
  

• The Income and Eligibility Verification System (IEVS);
  
  

• Child Support Verification System; and/or
   

• Payment Verification System (PVS).
   

Any requests for mandatory verification from the applicant must be made in writing after conducting the interview. The HH must be provided with the CW 2200 to request mandatory verification. HHs must be allowed ten calendar days to provide the requested verification(s).

Note: If the 10^th calendar day falls on a weekend or holiday, the applicant is given until the first business day after the 10-day deadline.

All CalFresh program applicants must be notified in writing at the time of application that information available through IEVS will be requested and used and may need to be verified when discrepancies are found.  Applicants must also be notified that such information may affect the HH’s eligibility and level of benefits.

The HH will be informed which individual(s) are work registrants. Once the HH signs the CalFresh application, an individual is considered registered for work for the remainder of the certification period.

An ABAWD is a CalFresh participant, age 18 through 49, who is able-bodied without dependent children and does not meet the criteria for an exemption from the ABAWD time limit. ABAWD eligibility for CalFresh is limited to any three full months of benefits in a 36-month period unless the individual:

• Satisfies the ABAWD work requirement;
  
  

• Is exempt from the ABAWD time limit;
  
  

• Qualifies for an additional three consecutive month period of eligibility;
  
  

• Receives a discretionary exemption; or
  
  

• Lives in a county or area with a waiver of the ABAWD time limit.
   

Work registration status must be determined at the initial application and every 12 months thereafter.  When an individual no longer qualifies for an exemption from work registration due to a change in circumstance(s), applicants must be registered for work when the change is reported unless the individual qualifies for another exemption.

• Photo Identification (e.g., from a school or a bank);
   

• Passport;
   

• Social Security (SS) Card;
   

• Birth/Hospital Certificate (Adoption Records);
  
  

• Religious Records;
   

• Driver’s License;
   

• Military Records;
   

• Census Records;
   

• Matricula Consular Card;
   

• Pay stubs;
   

• VRC;
   

• Immigration and Naturalization forms;
   

• Credit/Check Cashing Cards;
   

• Identification for health benefits or another assistance or social services program;
   

• Other readily available documentary evidence (e.g., “A” or “W” verifiers on MEDS or an identity verification listed on the system from a previous application);
   

• School Records or Student’s Financial Aid Award Letter;
   

• Third-party collateral contact; or
   

• Any document that reasonably establishes the applicant’s and the AR’s identity.
   

Note: A CalFresh applicant cannot sign an affidavit to identify (self-declare) themselves.

• SSN card (the card itself may be used as verification, but it is not to be mandated);
   

• SSN verifiers with an ‘A’ or a ‘W’ indicator on MEDS are sufficient verification for this requirement;
  
  

• An Award Letter from the Social Security Administration (SSA) showing the name and the SSN of the applicant; or
  
  

• Verification of application (SSA Referral Notice or MC194).
   

If the applicant cannot provide an SSN or proof of application for an SSN for a newborn, the HH must provide the SSN or proof of application at its next certification or within six months following the month the baby was born, whichever is later. 

• Birth Certificate;
   

• United States Passport or Card;
   

• Certificate of Naturalization or N-550/N-570;
   

• Religious records; or
   

• Verification already on file previously provided on another case number or program.

• Documents from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) i.e., Permanent Residency cards;
   

• I-94, Arrival/Departure Record;
   

• NOA from USCIS;
  
  
• Confirmation through Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlement (SAVE) System; or
   

• Confirmation from the SAVE via the G-845S or G-845 Supplement forms and the USCIS document provided by the HH.
   

Expired cards can only affect an individual’s ability to travel or work in the United States. The card's expiration does not change the cardholder’s permanent resident status. CalFresh benefits must not be denied solely on this factor.

Examples of gross non-exempt income verification include, but are not limited to:

• Pay Stubs;
   

• W-2 Forms;
   

• 1099 Forms;
   

• Award Letters;
   

• PA 167, Monthly Earnings Report;
   

• Income Tax Returns; or
   

• Copies of Checks.
   

At application, the HH must provide verification of income received over the last 30 days unless the HH just started working. Income received during the past 30 days from the date of application must be used as an indicator of the income that is and will be available to the HH during the certification period. However, if changes in income have occurred or can be anticipated, past income must not be used as an indicator of anticipated income.

If the applicant has just started working and has not received a full month (30 days) of income, the employer’s statement and/or any pay stub received, as well as information provided on the application and during the interview, can be used to reasonably anticipate the applicant’s income. 

When the HH states on the application or during the interview that its income exceeds the gross income limit, income verification of the HH's non-exempt gross income must be requested before denying an application for CalFresh.  An application cannot be denied based solely on an unverified statement of HH’s income.

When no changes in income have occurred or can be anticipated, and income fluctuates to the extent that a 30-day period alone cannot provide an accurate indication of anticipated income, Eligibility staff can use a longer period if it will provide a more accurate indication of anticipated income.

When all other attempts to verify income have been unsuccessful because the person or organization providing the income has failed to cooperate with the HH’s attempt to obtain verification, Eligibility staff, with the applicant’s assistance, must determine an amount to be used based on the best available information. The best available information may include a self-certified statement.

Treatment of Cash Aid

The CalFresh benefit must not be delayed due to pending cash aid approval. The CalFresh case must be evaluated for ES and processed even if the cash aid has not yet been approved.

For cash aid and CalFresh applicants, the cash aid will be counted as unearned income in the computation of CalFresh benefits when the benefits are authorized together.

How to Address Recent Job Loss at Application

When a HH member claims to have recently lost a job, verification of job loss is not required unless it is questionable. The applicant’s statement on the application of a recent job loss is sufficient evidence that a HH cannot reasonably anticipate income from that job continuing during the upcoming certification period.

If a HH member’s last day of work was within 30 days of the date of application, the HH member’s last day of work and last payday must be considered to determine the first month’s benefit allotment amount, depending on when the HH member was last paid.

 Verification of Gross Non-Exempt Income Subsequent to Initial Application

When a CalFresh HH reports a job loss after the initial application (voluntary mid-period reports), the HH is required to provide verification of the decrease in income.

The following are acceptable types of verification for decrease in income:

• A pay stub/check stub (this document must provide the reduction of work hours and gross income);
   

• An employer’s statement that provides the reduction of work hours and gross income;
   

• A benefit reduction notice from a source/agency (e.g., SSA, Employment Development Department, Pension/Retirement, Worker’s Compensation);
   

• Other written documentation; or
   

• Affidavit as a last resort.

Examples of disability income verification include, but are not limited to:

• Award letter from SSA indicating receipt of SSI or RSDI- Disability;
   

• Award letter from the VA;
   

• Award letter from the Railroad Retirement Board Benefits certifying the individual eligible for Medicare benefits;
   

• MEDS disability indicator under the INQX screen;
  
  

• IEVS match; or
   

• NSA verification from the GR Program.