CalFresh Core Academy

Course Overview

CalFresh Core Academy is a comprehensive five-day training series designed to build the foundational knowledge and practical skills needed to accurately determine, maintain and redetermine CalFresh eligibility. Through a progressive learning approach, participants move from core program concepts and non-financial eligibility requirements to household composition, financial eligibility, benefit calculations, reporting responsibilities, case maintenance and specialized eligibility rules.

Throughout the Academy, participants apply CalFresh policy to realistic case situations, strengthen their eligibility decision-making skills and develop an understanding of how individual eligibility factors work together throughout the life of a CalFresh case. The Academy also highlights current program requirements and policy changes affecting CalFresh eligibility and benefit levels, including changes to immigrant eligibility, expanded work requirements, utility deduction changes, time-limit rules and other evolving program requirements.

Upon completion of the CalFresh Core Academy, participants will be better prepared to:

• Apply foundational CalFresh eligibility requirements
• Determine appropriate household composition
• Evaluate student and non-citizen eligibility
• Identify and evaluate countable income and allowable deductions
• Determine CalFresh benefit allotments
• Apply semi-annual, mandatory, and voluntary reporting requirements
• Process recertifications and late semi-annual reports appropriately
• Recognize circumstances that may result in an over-issuance
• Distinguish among non-citizen eligibility classifications and apply sponsor-deeming requirements
• Apply work registration, Able-Bodied Adult, and time-limit requirements
• Integrate multiple eligibility factors to make accurate and consistent CalFresh eligibility determinations
• Develop proper robust journals that will support clients, colleagues, and stakeholders with the lifecycle of the case

Format

CalFresh Core Academy is organized in five modules.

Module 1: CalFresh Foundations & Household Eligibility

This module focuses on establishing the household and determining basic eligibility before evaluating financial circumstances. Participants are introduced to the purpose and structure of the CalFresh program and the foundational non-financial rules used to determine who may receive benefits and who must be included in the CalFresh household.

Topics include:

• CalFresh Overview
• Non-Financial Criteria
• Household Composition
• Student Eligibility

Module 2 — Financial Eligibility & Benefit Determination

This module focuses on translating household circumstances into accurate financial eligibility and benefit determinations. Participants will learn how income and allowable deductions affect CalFresh eligibility and benefit amounts and how information entered during the eligibility determination process influences the final benefit calculation.

Topics include:

• Income
• Deductions
• Calculation of the CalFresh Allotment

Module 3 — Reporting, Case Maintenance & Recertification

This module focuses on maintaining accurate benefits throughout the certification period and understanding how reporting requirements affect ongoing eligibility. Participants examine the responsibilities of households and eligibility staff after CalFresh benefits are approved. Emphasis is placed on identifying when changes must be reported, determining when reported information must be acted upon, and maintaining eligibility through the certification period.

Topics include:

• Semi-Annual Reporting
• Processing Late Semi-Annual Reports
• Mandatory Reporting
• Voluntary Mid-Period Reporting
• Recertification
• Overissuances

Module 4 — Non-Citizen Eligibility & Sponsor Rules

This module focuses on accurately applying noncitizen eligibility rules and recognizing the different pathways through which an individual may qualify for CalFresh. Participants will learn to distinguish among immigration classifications and apply specialized rules for sponsored noncitizens and individuals who may qualify through humanitarian immigration programs.

Topics include:

• Non-Citizen Eligibility
• Qualified Non-Citizens vs. Eligible Non-Citizens
• Sponsor Deeming
• Trafficking and Crime Victim Assistance Program (TCVAP)

Module 5 — Work Requirements, Time Limits & Integrated Case Application

This final module brings together eligibility concepts covered throughout the academy through realistic CalFresh cases involving work requirements and time limits. Participants learn to distinguish general work registration requirements from those that apply to able-bodied adults and examine how current policy changes affect eligibility and ongoing participation.

Topics include:

• Work Registration
• Able-Bodied Adults
• CalFresh Time-Limit Rules
• Current and Expanded Work Requirements
• Integration of CalFresh Eligibility Rules
• Comprehensive Case Application
• Robust Journaling