Page 41
When does screening for referral to E&T occur? Select all that apply. Initial Certification Recertification Reported change in the work registrant status of households Other Describe the process for screening for direct referral to E&T, including the staff involved. As described in ACL 23-34, certification workers are responsible for screening individuals against county- specific criteria to determine whether an individual should be referred to E&T. The exact process varies from county to county, but may include screening checklists. If an individual is screened and determined to be appropriate for E&T participation, the staff member will complete the referral process. When does the screening for a reverse referral request occur? As described in ACL 23-34, certification workers screen individuals at intake and recertification. Upon receipt of a referral request, it is the CWDs responsibility to determine whether the individual was screened and determined to be appropriate for E&T participation prior to completing the referral request process. If a referral request is received for an individual who has not already been screened as appropriate for E&T, it is the certification worker's responsibility to complete the screening prior to completing the referral request. Describe the process for screening during the reverse referral request process, including the staff involved. As described in ACL 23-34, an individual or E&T provider may ask the county to complete a referral to the provider’s CalFresh E&T program. The county should process the reverse referral promptly to keep the individual’s interest in the E&T program. The county is responsible for the certification of CalFresh benefits, screening for work registration and ABAWD exemptions, and screening to determine whether it is appropriate to refer the individual to the CalFresh E&T program, as required by 7 CFR 273.7(c)(2). The county may implement the following reverse referral options: • The county may dedicate eligibility workers in a specialized unit to promptly screen and refer individuals for whom they receive a referral request and establish a Management Information System, such as a secure data portal that efficiently exchanges information with the provider. • The county eligibility worker may screen and decide the appropriateness of referral during certification or recertification and document the outcome in the individual’s case file. Upon receiving a referral request, the eligibility worker can quickly decide whether the individual should be referred and make the actual referral. The following are allowable methods of reverse referral to the CalFresh E&T program: 1. Individual does not receive CalFresh benefits: The CalFresh E&T provider can refer the individual to the county to apply for CalFresh benefits. As part of the certification process, the individual will be screened and referred to the CalFresh E&T program, if appropriate. 2. Individual receives CalFresh benefits: The CalFresh E&T provider may request a referral from the county to provide services to the individual. The county must screen the individual for appropriateness for CalFresh 1/28/26, 11:04 AM State Plan CA FY26 - Original Submission https://dam-fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/microsite/snapet-cafy26stateplan//index.html 41/286