1.16.2013 Beginning on January 1, 2013 counties across California implemented the “Heat and Eat” provision included in AB 6 (Fuentes) for all CalFresh households. The Heat and Eat option, also known as the utility assistance initiative, requires that all CalFresh households receive annually a nominal LIHEAP benefit. Receipt of this benefit entitles each household to receive the full Standard Utility Allowance (SUA) for the purposes of calculating CalFresh benefits.
The nominal LIHEAP benefit ($0.10) will be delivered via EBT to all households, including homeless households and CACFP households. New applicants and ongoing clients do not need to take any action to receive the nominal LIHEAP benefit. In addition, no verification of utility expenses is necessary. By default the full SUA will be applied to all households when calculating the CalFresh benefit allotment.
Heat and Eat will reduce required verifications and increase benefits for a significant number of households. This has been a widely successful strategy used in a number of other states and now Californians will also benefit!
Take a look at CDSS’s All County Letter regarding implementation of the Heat and Eat provision. link
CalFresh households are still eligible to apply for traditional Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) benefits. Learn more. link
Questions? Contact Alexis Fernandez at 510.433.1122 x111
AB 6
AB 6 was signed into law by Governor Brown in October of 2011 and included several provisions: the elimination of the finger imaging requirement for all CalFresh households, implementation of semi-annual reporting for CalFresh and CalWORKs, and implementation of “Heat and Eat” in California.
Learn more. Visit the AB 6 page.
