The following business procedure applies to both in-office and telephone
interviews:
Step 1. During an SSI initial claim or redetermination (RZ), SSA technicians are required
to ask the SNAP screening questions in the SSI Claims System path found in MS 08119.019, and shown below in step 2. Do not initiate an unscheduled RZ if an SSI recipient, who is not scheduled for an RZ, inquires
about filing for SNAP benefits. Instead, complete a stand-alone post-eligibility (PE)
event in the SSI Claims System and complete the SNAP screening questions on the Potential
Eligibility for Other Benefit Leads - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program screen.
Step 2. If the SNAP screening questions show the individual resides in a pure SSI household
and result in the individual answering "YES" to the question, "May I take your SNAP
application today?", SSA is obligated to assist the applicant or recipient with completing a CalFresh
application or recertification per SI 01801.005C.2.b.
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If the applicant or recipient is not living in a pure SSI household, but wishes to
apply for SNAP, refer them to the county SNAP office to apply or recertify for SNAP
and stop here.
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If the applicant is living in a pure SSI household, but answers "No" to the question
"May I take your SNAP application today?", document the reason why the applicant chooses not to file for SNAP on an SSA-5002
(Report of Contact) or the RPOC screen in the SSI Claims System and stop here.
SNAP recipients are required to recertify their SNAP eligibility every 3 years. SSA
employees will use the CF 285 (Application for CalFresh Benefits) for both initial
SNAP application and SNAP recertification cases, whether it be on paper or electronic
using the GetCalFresh web portal.
Below is a screenshot of the SNAP screening questions in the SSI Claims System:
Step 3. SSA technicians will complete the SSI initial claim, RZ, or stand-alone PE event
using normal processing instructions. Once the SSI action is completed, the technician
will proceed to Step 4.
Step 4. Upon completing the SSI initial claim, RZ, or stand-alone PE event, the SSA technician
will do the following:
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Open the GetCalFresh web portal by accessing the web link: https://www.getcalfresh.org/en/ssa_authentication/new
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Go to the San Francisco Regional Office's CDPS SNAP SharePoint and obtain the four-digit passcode. Input the passcode where prompted into the GetCalFresh
web portal.
The passcode is updated quarterly by CDSS. The passcode is published on the following
SharePoint: SF CDPS SNAP SharePoint web portal (GetCalFresh passcodes).
Refer to Section C above for the procedure on what to do when the web portal is malfunctioning,
SSA systems are down, or if the applicant does not want to use the GetCalFresh web
portal to file for SNAP/CalFresh benefits.
If a paper application is completed as outlined in Section C above, stop here. If utilizing the GetCalFresh electronic application, proceed to step 5.
Step 5. Read the following required script, word-for-word, to the SNAP applicant:
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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 GetCalFresh.org application tool. This is not a Social Security tool or
website. The California Department of Social Services – not SSA – is
responsible for the GetCalFresh.org application tool and information
provided on this application.
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In order to help you complete the SNAP/CalFresh application, you will
need to give me information that I will enter into the GetCalFresh.org
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.
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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
GetCalFresh.org on your own or we may refer you to a local county
office.
If the applicant does not want to complete the SNAP/CalFresh application via the web
portal, complete the SNAP/CalFresh application on paper. If the applicant does not
want SSA to assist with completing a SNAP/CalFresh application, refer them to the
county SNAP office, and stop here.
Step 6: Complete the GetCalFresh application using the web portal, ensuring all screens are
answered completely. Technicians can refer to the GetCalFresh web portal User Guide for additional instructions. If the SNAP applicant is in the office, proceed to step
7a. If the SNAP applicant is on the telephone, proceed to step 7b.
Step 7.
a. Web portal In-Office Process
For in-office interviews, before signature, print the CalFresh information sheet and the privacy policy, located on page 5 of the information sheet, and hand both documents
to the applicant. Instruct the applicant to read the Rights and Responsibilities section
and the Privacy Policy. 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 stored on the Sharepoint, SF CDPS SNAP SharePoint.
Read the "legal stuff" script, word-for-word, to the SNAP applicant when it comes
up in the GetCalFresh application path. If the SNAP applicant agrees to the "legal
stuff" statements, check the "I agree" box and select continue. If the applicant does
not agree with all of the "legal stuff" statements, stop the application process and
direct the applicant to their local county CDSS office.
If the SNAP applicant agrees to the "legal stuff" statements and the Rights and Responsibilities
and Privacy Act statements, read the following script, word-for-word, after the individual has reviewed the documents they have been handed and before the technician electronically signs the GetCalFresh application on the applicant's
behalf.
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Now that your application is complete, the next step is for me to
electronically sign the application on your behalf. To do so, I will have to
enter your name on the electronic application. Once I enter your name, it
means that you agree that you want me to sign the application for you to
apply for CalFresh, that you have been honest on this application, and that
you understand the terms as I have read, or provided them to you. Do you
want me to enter your name on your behalf and submit your
application?
If the applicant does not agree with any of the statements that we need for them to
apply, stop the application process and direct the applicant to their local county
CDSS.
b. Web Portal Teleclaim Process
For telephone interviews, before signature, technicians will do the following:
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Ask the SNAP/GetCalFresh applicant if they have a computer or smartphone with internet
access. If the applicant responds “YES,” the technician will direct the applicant
to the CalFresh Information Sheet URL, at http://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/FMUForms/A-D/CFSSA1.pdf, to read the Rights and Responsibilities and privacy policy. The privacy policy can
also be found here: https://www.getcalfresh.org/en/privacy.
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For the applicant’s convenience, technicians may advise the applicant that the Rights
and Responsibilities are located on pages 3 and 4 and the privacy policy is located
on page 5 on the information sheet.
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Ask the applicant if they have read the Rights and Responsibilities and privacy policy.
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If the applicant responds that they have read the Rights and Responsibilities and
the privacy policy, the SSA technician is not required to read these to the applicant.
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If the applicant does not have a computer or smartphone or is unable to independently
read the information sheet and privacy policy, the SSA technician is required to read the Rights and Responsibilities and privacy policy word-for-word to the applicant.
If the URL for the CalFresh information sheet or if the privacy policy URL is unavailable
for viewing (i.e., the URLs are down), the technician must read the Rights and Responsibilities
and privacy policy word-for-word to the applicant using the San Francisco Regional
Office's CDPS SNAP SharePoint. Contact CDSS after completing this action to advise of the issue.
Read the "legal stuff" script, word-for-word, to the SNAP applicant when it comes
up in the GetCalFresh application path. If the SNAP applicant agrees to the "legal
stuff" statement, check the "I agree" box and select continue. If the applicant does
not agree with all of the "legal stuff" statements, stop the application process and
direct the applicant to their local county CDSS office.
If the SNAP applicant agrees to the "legal stuff" statements and the Rights and Responsibilities
and Privacy Act statements, read the following script, word-for-word, after the individual has reviewed and read the documents, or had read to them, and before the technician electronically signs the GetCalFresh application on the applicant's
behalf.
Now that your application is complete, the next step is for me to
electronically sign the application on your behalf. To do so, I will have to
enter your name on the electronic application. Once I enter your name, it means
that you agree that you want me to sign the application for you to apply for
CalFresh, that you have been honest on this application, and that you understand
the terms as I have read, or provided them, to you. Do you want me to enter your
name on your behalf and submit your application?
If the applicant does not agree with any of the statements that we need for them to
apply, stop the application process and direct the applicant to their local county
CDSS.
Step 8. After the technician electronically submits the GetCalFresh application, the CalFresh
applicant will receive confirmation of their CalFresh application via text message
or email, according to the applicant’s preference.
Step 9 (FO technicians only) If a SNAP application was taken after completing the interview,
the technician will update the Visitor Intake Process (VIPr) topic to the Special
Studies subcategory of “CA SNAP - CalFresh” to capture the interview issue within
VIPr.