Transcript CalFRESH Marketing/Outreach Strategies to College Students

Reaching Students
with CalFresh
January 7, 2013 Webinar
Sponsored by the California Association of Food Banks
CalFresh Student Rules
Basic Rule
• No eligibility if a student, unless meet
an exception
• Only applies to people between the
ages of 18 and 50 who are
– physically and mentally fit and
– are enrolled at least half time (as defined
by the school) in "higher education”
But remember!
• Rule applies to individuals, not
household
• Many exceptions
Defining “fit”
• Issue is whether condition renders
you “unfit” for employment
• No further definition, but regs permit
granting “if evident”
– Otherwise, county to require verification,
such as temporary or permanent
disability benefits, or a provider
statement. (MPP 63-406.121.)
Enrolled
• Enrollment is defined by the educational
institution
– Ex: if define FT as 12 units or more, 6 units
would be ½ time
• Must be at “institution of higher education”
• Different rules for schools that normally
require a HS diploma or GED for enrollment,
and those that don’t
• Doesn’t apply when in job training portion of
on-the-job-training programs, as opposed to
the class attendance portion
Is Diploma Required?
• If Diploma/GED required, only issue is
if enrolled ½ time
• If the program or course (not the
institution) does not require a diploma
or GED, the person is not a student
subject to the CalFresh bar
Example: A college may generally require a diploma or GED,
but it’s business administration program may not have that as
a pre-requisite. If the person is in that PROGRAM, s/he is not
a “student” for CalFresh.
“Regular Curriculum”
• If in a junior, community, two-year or
four-year college or university, or
graduate school, the person must be
BOTH enrolled half time AND in a
“regular curriculum”
– Regular curriculum means the course in
which the person is enrolled meets the
“standard requirements for graduation or
certification/qualification in a particular
field of study.” [MPP § 63-406.]
Exceptions
• On CalWORKs; or
• Students with children
– FT student with a child < 12; or
– PT student with a child < 6 or 6-12 years old and
adequate care is not available; or
• Employed 20 hours a week
– Based on reasonably anticipated monthly average [ACL
12-37]; or
• Receiving federal or state work-study; or
• Enrolled in a FSET program; or other state or local job
training programs that USDA will accept; or
• Does not intend to register for the next normal school
term. [ 7 C.F.R. § 273.5(c).]
“Getting work study”
• This is when the student is approved
for the current school term, and
anticipates working during the term.
– The exemption begins the month the
school term starts or the month work
study is approved, whichever is later.
– The exemption continues until the end of
the month the school term ends [MPP § 63406.212]
“Dropping Out” (ACIN I-36-12)
• Normally, student enrollment deemed to
continue through normal periods of classes,
including vacation and recess, unless the
student graduates, is suspended or expelled,
or drops out.
• HH’s eligibility at application determined
based on circumstances at the date of the
interview
• If applicant states not continuing, must not
treat as a student.
– If later reports enrolling, will deem to be a
student going forward only
Training Programs
When a program places the person, or requires it for
compliance in the program:
• FSET, even if voluntary
• JTPA
• JOBS program under Title IV
– There is an argument that TANF funded programs qualify
– contact Jodie or Jessica
• A “Section 236” Trade Act of 1974 training program, or
• A state or local employment and training program for
low-income individuals, determined by the county
welfare department to meeting a specified work prep
component
– Job search/club; workfare; OJT/work experience;
Education/training
AB 12 Youth/CalFresh
• Eligibility determined on an individual
basis, no blanket prohibition
– Will look at income, include FC grant
• NMD as well as other HH members in a
SILP
• Boarder or opt into unit for other settings
– Will look at student status
• Should be eligible as a county approved
training program if plan is for school
http://www.childsworld.ca.gov/res/pdf/FAQFosterCare/AB
12AnswerQ1.pdf
CalFRESH Marketing/Outreach Strategies
to College Students
SINGLE STOP USA
• Nationally recognized non profit
organization
– Contra Costa College is one of four
community colleges that have Single Stop
USA on site
• We provide benefits screening to
determine potential eligibility of public
benefits such as CalWORKs, CalFresh,
Medi-Cal, PG&E Care Program. We also
provide Financial Coaching, Legal
Services, and Tax Preparation Services.
What Has Worked
• We meet students where they are:
– Tabling events
– Orientations for various programs on
campus
– Classrooms
– Waiting Areas
• Provide assistance/support with applying
for the benefits
• We give away free stuff
– School Supplies, iPad, Transportation, and
Gift Cards
What Have We Struggled
With
• Marketing material geared towards
college students
• Students going to the County Office
during school- Students cannot afford to
miss class
• Students providing us with different
information than what they provide to the
county worker determining eligibility
• Students not following up with our office
if/when they receive a benefit