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All County Letter No. 25-92 Page Seven

immigration status during the certification period that would result in an increase in the household’s benefits, the CWD must act on the change.

A SAVE match is considered Verified Upon Receipt (VUR), therefore if a SAVE match is received during the certification period, the CWD must follow existing policy regarding mid-period changes as outlined in ACL 21-101 issued October 15, 2021, and ACL 21-101E issued July 25, 2025.

TREATMENT OF INCOME AND RESOURCES OF EXCLUDED MEMBERS

The CWD must treat an ineligible noncitizen household member as an excluded household member. The CWD must follow all current rules and regulations regarding the treatment of excluded household members’ income, resources and deductible expenses, in accordance with MPP Section 63-503.442.

An ineligible noncitizen household member’s resources must be included in the budget when calculating the household’s allotment, except households determined eligible under Categorical Eligibility (CE) or Modified Categorical Eligibility (MCE) rules. Refer to ACL 13-32 issued April 24, 2013 , ACL 14-56 issued August 22, 2014, and ACL 14-56E, issued April 10, 2015, for more information on CE and MCE. In addition, a pro rata share of an ineligible household member’s income must be included in the budget when determining the household’s allotment. The ineligible household member’s allowable deductible expenses must also be prorated.

SYSTEMATIC ALIEN VERIFICATION FOR ENTITLEMENTS (SAVE)

In accordance with 7 CFR 273.2(f)(1)(ii) and 7 CFR 273.2(f)(10), CWDs must verify a noncitizen’s immigration status at both initial application and recertification through SAVE to determine CalFresh eligibility. Note, per 7 CFR 273.2(f)(1)(ii)(B)(1), if the CWD submits a SAVE request to USCIS for verification and verification is pending, the CWD cannot delay, deny, reduce or terminate the individual's eligibility for benefits on the basis of the individual's immigration status.

A SAVE match is considered VUR and it must be acted on accordingly during initial application, recertification, and during the certification period. However, if a household disagrees with a SAVE verification result which results in a denial or discontinuance of their benefits, the CWD must request any additional information needed to complete the secondary SAVE via USCIS Form G-845 by sending the household a CW 2200, if applicable, and must certify the household pending the results of the secondary SAVE for up to six months from the date of the original request for verification (ACL 88-131; 7 CFR 273.2(f)(1)(ii)(B)(3)). Once the CWD receives the secondary SAVE verification results, the CWD must follow existing policy regarding mid-period changes and, based on the SAVE verification results, either continue benefits or provide the household with a timely notice of action to terminate benefits. Refer to ACIN I-102-10, issued December 29, 2010, and ACL 23-57, issued June 29, 2023, for more information on SAVE.