QUESTION 1
Household (owns their own home) states
their refrigerator stopped working and the part needed had to be ordered from
Canada. The household lost the food
contents of the refrigerator due to this incident. Is this considered a
“household misfortune”?
ANSWER 1
Although there is no specific definition
to the term “household misfortune,” MPP section 63-603.113 states that food
purchased with CalFresh benefits can be received by the household through a
replacement issuance. This regulation in general, indicates that replacement
benefits are a one-time occurrence. This
scenario constitutes a household misfortune; therefore, the household is
eligible to replace the food that was lost due to the
refrigerators not working.
QUESTION 2
All of the household’s “dry goods” were destroyed by
insects. Does this scenario fall under the definition of “household
misfortune”?
ANSWER 2
This scenario would generally not fall
under the definition of “household misfortune” because it is considered a
preventable circumstance and one that happens periodically to other
households. However, the determination
is the county’s based on the given circumstances of the case. Whatever the determination made by the
county, the case record should be documented.
ACIN I-54-09E
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