The following business procedure applies to both in-office and telephone
interviews:
Step 1. During an SSI initial claim or redetermination (RZ), ask the SNAP screening questions
in the Consolidated Claims Experience (CCE) path found in MS 08119.019, and shown
below in step 2. Do not initiate an unscheduled RZ if an SSI recipient inquires about filing for CalFresh.
Instead, complete a stand-alone post-eligibility (PE) event in CCE and complete the
SNAP screening questions on the "Potential Eligibility for Other Benefit Leads - Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program" page.
Step 2. If the SSI applicant or recipient resides in a pure SSI household and answers "YES"
to the question, "May I take your SNAP application
today?", offer assistance with completing a CalFresh application or recertification per
SI 01801.005C.2.b.
-
•
If the applicant or recipient is not living in a pure SSI household, but wishes to
apply for CalFresh, refer them to BenefitsCal.com or the local county CalFresh office to apply or recertify for CalFresh, and stop
here.
-
•
If the applicant or recipient is living in a pure SSI household, but answers "No"
to the question "May I take your SNAP application today?", document the reason why they choose not to file for SNAP on an SSA-5002 (Report
of Contact) or the Report of Contact page in the CCE, and stop here.
SNAP recipients are required to recertify their eligibility to continue receiving
SNAP benefits after the current certification period. Use the BenefitsCal web portal
or the CF 285 for both initial SNAP applications and recertification cases.
Below is a screenshot of the SNAP screening questions in the CCE:
Step 3. Complete the SSI initial claim, RZ, or stand-alone PE event using normal processing
instructions. Once the SSI action is complete, proceed to Step 4.
Step 4. Upon completing the SSI initial claim, RZ, or stand-alone PE event, do the following:
-
-
•
Obtain the four-digit passcode from the SF CDPS SharePoint and when prompted enter the passcode into the BenefitsCal web portal. The passcode
changes quarterly.
Refer to section C above when the web portal is malfunctioning, SSA systems are down,
or if the SSI applicant or recipient does not want to use the BenefitsCal web portal
to file for CalFresh benefits.
If a paper application is completed as outlined in section C above, stop here. If utilizing the BenefitsCal electronic application, proceed to step 5.
Step 5. Read the following required script, word-for-word, to the CalFresh applicant:
-
You said that you want SSA to help you complete a SNAP application today. In
California, SNAP is known as CalFresh. To fill out the SNAP/CalFresh application,
I, an SSA
technician, will enter information into the
BenefitsCal.com.
This is not a Social Security tool or website. The California Department of Social
Services – not
SSA – is responsible for the
BenefitsCal.com
application tool and information provided on this application.
-
In order to help you complete the SNAP/CalFresh application, you will need to give
me
information that I will enter into the
BenefitsCal.com
application tool, so that your local county office can review and process your application.
Some of
the information I will ask you about might be the same as what you gave me for your
SSI claim. SSA
will not keep any information that you provide for the SNAP/CalFresh application.
-
If you do not want SSA to help you complete the SNAP/CalFresh application online
today, SSA will help you complete the SNAP/CalFresh application on paper. If you do
not want SSA to
assist you with completing a SNAP/CalFresh application, you may complete the application
at
BenefitsCal.com
on your own or we may refer you to a local county office.
If the SSI applicant or recipient does not want SSA to assist with completing a CalFresh
application, refer them to BenefitsCal.com or the county CalFresh office, and stop here.
Step 6: Complete the CalFresh application using the BenefitsCal web portal, ensuring all
screens are answered completely. Refer to the BenefitsCal web portal User Guide for additional instructions. If the CalFresh applicant is in the office, proceed
to step 7a. If the CalFresh applicant is on the telephone, proceed to step 7b.
Step 7:
On the Review and Submit web portal page, review the application summary by selecting
"Download a copy of the application for review."
a. Web
Portal
In-Office Process
For in-office interviews, print the "Information for Households Applying for CalFresh with the Social Security Administration
(CF SSA
1)" for the CalFresh applicant to read and review. There is currently an English Regular
Print Information Sheet (12 point font), and an English Large Print Information Sheet
(18 point font). Links to the documents are located on the SF CDPS SharePoint.
Read the following required scripts, word-for-word, to the CalFresh applicant:
Here is a summary of the use of BenefitsCal:
-
•
BenfitsCal.com is a website run by CalSAWS, a non-profit organization
that accepts your benefits applications.
-
•
Before your application is submitted, I am going to
read you several statements, and you will need to tell me whether they are accurate
or not under
penalty of perjury.
-
–
Your answers to the questions are true and complete to the best of
your knowledge.
-
–
You read, or had read to you, and you understand and agree to the information for
households applying for CalFresh with the Social Security Administration.
-
–
You understand that your county CalFresh office may verify the
information in this application with Federal, State and local officials to determine
if it is
accurate.
-
–
You understand that giving false or misleading statements or misrepresenting, hiding
or withholding facts to establish eligibility for CalFresh is fraud. Fraud can cause
a criminal case
to be filed against you and you may be barred for a period of time (or life) from
getting CalFresh
benefits.
-
–
You understand that illegally using or trafficking SNAP benefits is subject to the
same penalties as above.
-
–
You understand that Social Security Numbers or immigration status for household
members applying for benefits may be shared by the State with the appropriate government
agencies as
required by federal law.
-
–
You declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America
and the State of California that the information contained in this statement of facts
is true and
correct, with full knowledge that all statements made in this application are subject
to
investigation and that any false or dishonest answer to any question may be grounds
for denial or
subsequent recovery or overissuance.
Do you agree that the previous statements are accurate? Do you also agree with
the Information for Households Applying for CalFresh with the Social Security Administration?
If the CalFresh applicant agrees with the statements above, check the "Click if the
applicant agrees" box and read the following script, word-for-word, before electronically signing the CalFresh application with the applicant's approval.
-
Now that your application is complete, the next step is
for you to
authorize me
to
sign your name on
the
application and
submit it to the
State.
To do so, I will have to
sign your
name
by entering it on the electronic application.
Do you authorize me to sign your name on the application and submit it to the State?
If the CalFresh applicant agrees, type their full legal name in the designated areas.
If the CalFresh applicant does not agree with any of the statements, stop the application
process and direct them to their local county CalFresh office.
b. Web Portal Teleclaim Process
For telephone interviews, before signature, do the following:
-
-
•
Ask the CalFresh applicant if they have read the CF SSA 1 document. If they respond that they have read the document, do not read the document
to them.
-
•
If the CalFresh applicant does not have a computer or smartphone or is unable to independently
read the CF SSA
1, read the document word-for-word to them.
Read the following required scripts, word-for-word, to the CalFresh applicant:
Here is a summary of the use of BenefitsCal:
-
•
BenfitsCal.com is a website run by CalSAWS, a non-profit organization
that accepts your benefits applications.
-
•
Before your application is submitted, I am going to
read you several statements, and you will need to tell me whether they are accurate
or not under
penalty of perjury.
-
–
Your answers to the questions are true and complete to the best of
your knowledge.
-
–
You read, or had read to you, and you understand and agree to the information for
households applying for CalFresh with the Social Security Administration.
-
–
You understand that your county CalFresh office may verify the
information in this application with Federal, State and local officials to determine
if it is
accurate.
-
–
You understand that giving false or misleading statements or misrepresenting, hiding
or withholding facts to establish eligibility for CalFresh is fraud. Fraud can cause
a criminal case
to be filed against you and you may be barred for a period of time (or life) from
getting CalFresh
benefits.
-
–
You understand that illegally using or trafficking SNAP benefits is subject to the
same penalties as above.
-
–
You understand that Social Security Numbers or immigration status for household
members applying for benefits may be shared by the State with the appropriate government
agencies as
required by federal law.
-
–
You declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America
and the State of California that the information contained in this statement of facts
is true and
correct, with full knowledge that all statements made in this application are subject
to
investigation and that any false or dishonest answer to any question may be grounds
for denial or
subsequent recovery or overissuance.
Do you agree that the previous statements are accurate? Do you also agree with
the Information for Households Applying for CalFresh with the Social Security Administration?
If the CalFresh applicant agrees with the statements above, check the "Click if the
applicant agrees" box and read the following script, word-for-word, before electronically signing the CalFresh application with the applicant's approval.
-
Now that your application is complete, the next step is for you to authorize me to
sign your name on the application and submit it to the State. To do so, I will have
to sign your
name by entering it on the electronic application. Do you authorize me to sign your
name on the
application and submit it to the State?
If the CalFresh applicant agrees, type their full legal name in the designated areas.
If the CalFresh applicant does not agree with any of the statements, stop the application
process and direct them to their local county CalFresh office.
Step 8. After electronically submitting the CalFresh application, may print a copy of the
application for the CalFresh applicant upon request. You may also text, email, or
print a confirmation receipt for them.
Reminder: If you are sampled while assisting an applicant completing a CalFresh application,
work sample all SNAP application and recertification related activities under “Other
Workloads” and “Food Stamp Applications/Recertifications” in Employee Office Sampler
(EOS) to ensure the SNAP activity is credited properly.