This week, the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) issued new state regulations resulting from the settlement of a lawsuit brought by the Western Center on Law and Poverty and Bay Area Legal Aid.  The settlement requires the county administrators of CalFresh, the state's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that provides food benefits for low-income Californians, to establish protocols that will help people who are eligible for assistance to reinstate their benefits after a period of disqualification.

The lawsuit was brought on behalf of a 34-year old, single mother who is disabled.  Though she had submitted complete and timely quarterly reports, she was not issued CalFresh benefits she was able to receive because the county did not have a process in place to end her temporary period of disqualification. As a result, her family received fewer CalFresh benefits than they were eligible to receive for 4 years.

"We are happy to see these regulations be implemented as they will help many families receive the federal food assistance they are entitled to," said Antionette Dozier, an attorney for Western Center.

A copy of the newly issued instructions:  http://www.dss.cahwnet.gov/lettersnotices/entres/getinfo/acl/2012/12-06.pdf 

For more information about SNAP: http://www.offthechartsblog.org/five-things-you-probably-dont-know-about-food-stamps/?utm_campaign=CBPPICYMI