Section 18901.2.

(a) It is the intent of the Legislature to create a program in California that provides a nominal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) service benefit, through the LIHEAP block grant, to all recipient households of CalFresh so that they are made aware of services available under LIHEAP and so that some households may experience an increase in federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, as well as benefit from paperwork reduction.

(b) To the extent permitted by federal law, the State Department of Social Services (DSS) shall, in conjunction with the Department of Community Services and Development (CSD), design, implement, and maintain a utility assistance initiative: the "Heat and Eat" program.

(1) The nominal LIHEAP service benefit shall be funded through the LIHEAP block grant allocated for outreach activities in accordance with state and federal requirements, and shall be provided by the CSD to the DSS after receipt by the CSD of the LIHEAP block grant funds from the federal funding authorities.

(2) The total amount transferred shall be the product of the nominal LIHEAP service benefit established by the CSD in the LIHEAP state plan multiplied by the number of CalFresh recipient households as agreed upon annually by the CSD and the DSS.

(3) The total amount transferred shall be reduced by any unexpended or reinvested amounts remaining from prior transfers for the nominal LIHEAP service benefits as provided in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c).

(c) In implementing and maintaining the utility assistance initiative, the State Department of Social Services shall do all of the following:

(1) (A) Grant recipient households of CalFresh benefits pursuant to this chapter a nominal LIHEAP service benefit out of the federal LIHEAP block grant (42 U.S.C. Sec. 8621 et seq.).

(B) In establishing the nominal LIHEAP service benefit amount, the department shall take into consideration that the benefit level need not provide significant utility assistance.

(C) Any funds allocated for this purpose not expended by CalFresh recipient households shall be recouped through the "Heat and Eat" program and reinvested into the program on an annual basis as determined by both departments.

(2) Provide the nominal LIHEAP service benefit without requiring the applicant or recipient to provide additional paperwork or verification.

(3) To the extent permitted by federal law and to the extent federal funds are available, provide the nominal LIHEAP service benefit annually to each recipient of CalFresh benefits.

(4) (A) Deliver the nominal LIHEAP service benefit using the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) system or other nonpaper delivery system.

(B) Notification of a recipient's impending EBT dormant account status shall not be required when the remaining balance in a recipient's account at the time the account becomes inactive is ninety-nine cents ($0.99) or less of LIHEAP service benefits.

(5) Ensure that receipt of the nominal LIHEAP service benefit pursuant to this section shall not adversely affect a CalFresh recipient household's eligibility, reduce a household's CalFresh benefits, or disqualify the applicant or recipient of CalFresh benefits from receiving other nominal LIHEAP service benefits or other utility benefits for which they may qualify.

(d) Recipients of the nominal LIHEAP service benefit pursuant to this section shall remain subject to the additional eligibility requirements for LIHEAP assistance as outlined in the California LIHEAP state plan, developed by the CSD.

(e) (1) To the extent permitted by federal law, a CalFresh household receiving or anticipating receipt of nominal LIHEAP service benefits pursuant to the utility assistance initiative or any other law shall be entitled to use the full standard utility allowance (SUA) for the purposes of calculating CalFresh benefits. A CalFresh household shall be entitled to use the full SUA regardless of whether the nominal LIHEAP service benefit is actually redeemed.

(2) If use of the full SUA, instead of the homeless shelter deduction, results in a lower amount of CalFresh benefits for a homeless household, the homeless household shall be entitled to use the homeless shelter deduction instead of the full SUA.

(f) The department shall implement the initiative by January 1, 2013.

(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 358, Sec. 26. Effective September 26, 2013.)