CA AB2297

Increases the monthly special needs allowance for CalWORKs recipients from $10 to $15 per eligible recipient for recurring needs including special diets and food preparation.

Provides a $15 monthly special diet or food preparation allowance delivered as a supplemental food benefit through the EBT system when requested by recipients with verified medical dietary needs, elevated lead blood levels, or lack of potable water access.

Establishes the CalFresh Hunger Impact Program (CalHIP) to provide an additional $28 per month in CalFresh benefits to every CalFresh household, fully funded by the state.

Exempts both the special diet allowance and CalHIP benefits from being counted as income when determining eligibility for other state or local means-tested public benefit programs.

Requires the Department of Social Services to implement the program through all-county letters beginning no later than October 1, 2019, with formal regulations to be adopted by October 1, 2021.