By Jose Clemente, Program Development and Analysis Supervisor
A change to Modified Categorical Eligibility is making CalFresh available to more of our neighbors in need.
Beginning July 1, 2014 the gross income test for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)-funded service that confers Modified Categorical Eligibility (MCE) will be raised to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Practically speaking, this change will raise the CalFresh gross income test from the current 130% FPL to 200% FPL.
The change simplifies implementation of MCE by eliminating the need to identify those households that are categorically eligible for CalFresh under AB 191 from other CalFresh households. Additionally, the expansion to all CalFresh households extends the reach of MCE to a significant number of newly CalFresh-eligible Californians.
This change will result in a significant number of Californians becoming newly eligible for CalFresh. This will allow households with high need and high expenses, such as child care costs, to access nutrition benefits. Raising the gross income test to 200% FPL is estimated to increase the CalFresh caseload by a total of 92,000 households statewide during fiscal year 2014-15.
California now joins the 40+ other states that have implemented this federal option. This is an important step toward increasing CalFresh access and participation in Santa Barbara County! To learn more about how CalFresh helps our community, see this CalFresh Awareness Month article from our public website's News page.