Pay California's SSI/SSP restaurant meals allowance only when the living arrangement prevents cooking

changelog.d/fix-10296-ca-ssp-meal-allowance-default.fixed.md

@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Default living_arrangements_allow_for_food_preparation to true, so California pays the SSI/SSP restaurant meals allowance only when the input says the living arrangement prevents meal preparation at home (WIC 12200(e)), not to every aged or disabled recipient.

policyengine_us/tests/microsimulation/test_social_security_current_law.py

@@ -482,6 +482,12 @@ def record_live_value(route, simulation, variable, year):
         {
             "age__2024": [70],
             "social_security_retirement__2024": [12_000],
+            # Texas in both snapshot years, as in situation(). state_code has
+            # a formula, so a 2024 input alone leaves 2026 on the default
+            # state (CA), where this household's SSI/SSP state supplement
+            # brings unrelated California law into household_net_income.
+            "state_code__2024": ["TX"],
+            "state_code__2026": ["TX"],
         }
     )
     simulation = CoreSimulation(

policyengine_us/tests/policy/baseline/gov/states/ca/cdss/capi/ca_capi.yaml

@@ -117,13 +117,13 @@
     ca_state_supplement_blind_amount: 0
     ca_state_supplement_aged_blind_disabled_amount: 0
     ca_state_supplement: 0
-    # Disabled individual standard 1,233.94 + no-cooking food allowance
-    # 128.87 (living arrangements default to no food preparation) =
-    # 1,362.81 per month with no offset. Earnings of 83.33 per month fall
-    # within the $20 + $65 exclusions, so countable income is 0 (until PR
-    # 10240, SSI also zeroes this income for people who fail its noncitizen
-    # test). 1,362.81 x 12 = 16,353.72.
-    ca_capi: 16_353.72
+    # Disabled individual standard 1,233.94 per month with no offset. Living
+    # arrangements allow food preparation by default, so no no-cooking food
+    # allowance applies. Earnings of 83.33 per month fall within the
+    # $20 + $65 exclusions, so countable income is 0 (until PR 10240, SSI
+    # also zeroes this income for people who fail its noncitizen test).
+    # 1,233.94 x 12 = 14,807.28.
+    ca_capi: 14_807.28
 
 - name: Case 6, mixed couple, only the noncitizen spouse receives CAPI.
   period: 2026

policyengine_us/tests/policy/baseline/gov/states/ca/cdss/state_supplement/ca_state_supplement_food_allowance_eligible.yaml

@@ -24,3 +24,133 @@
     state_code: CA
   output:
     ca_state_supplement_food_allowance_eligible: false
+
+- name: Food preparation not reported, so the living arrangement allows it by default
+  period: 2024
+  input:
+    ca_state_supplement_aged_disabled_count: 1
+    state_code: CA
+  output:
+    living_arrangements_allow_for_food_preparation: true
+    ca_state_supplement_food_allowance_eligible: false
+
+# Restaurant meals allowance (WIC 12200(e); SSA POMS SI SF01415.140). The
+# allowance is paid only when the living arrangement prevents meal preparation
+# at home, so a household without living_arrangements_allow_for_food_preparation
+# set gets the regular independent-living standard. January 2025 amounts, per
+# SSA POMS SI 01415.057 (California codes A and C): federal SSI $967
+# (individual) and $1,450 (couple); independent living $1,206.94 and $2,057.83;
+# without cooking facilities $1,335.81 and $2,315.57.
+- name: 2025 aged individual, food preparation not reported, gets the independent-living standard
+  period: 2025-01
+  absolute_error_margin: 0.01
+  input:
+    people:
+      person1:
+        age: 70
+        is_tax_unit_head: true
+        immigration_status: CITIZEN
+    spm_units:
+      spm_unit:
+        members: [person1]
+    households:
+      household:
+        members: [person1]
+        state_code: CA
+  output:
+    ssi: 967
+    ca_state_supplement_food_allowance_eligible: false
+    ca_state_supplement_food_allowance: 0
+    ca_state_supplement_payment_standard: 1_206.94
+    ca_state_supplement: 239.94 # 1,206.94 - 967
+
+- name: 2025 aged individual whose living arrangement prevents food preparation gets the restaurant meals allowance
+  period: 2025-01
+  absolute_error_margin: 0.01
+  input:
+    people:
+      person1:
+        age: 70
+        is_tax_unit_head: true
+        immigration_status: CITIZEN
+    spm_units:
+      spm_unit:
+        members: [person1]
+    households:
+      household:
+        members: [person1]
+        state_code: CA
+        living_arrangements_allow_for_food_preparation: false
+  output:
+    ssi: 967
+    ca_state_supplement_food_allowance_eligible: true
+    ca_state_supplement_food_allowance: 128.87 # 1,335.81 - 1,206.94
+    ca_state_supplement_payment_standard: 1_335.81 # 1,206.94 + 128.87
+    ca_state_supplement: 368.81 # 1,335.81 - 967
+
+- name: 2025 aged couple, food preparation not reported, gets the independent-living standard
+  period: 2025-01
+  absolute_error_margin: 0.01
+  input:
+    people:
+      person1:
+        age: 83
+        is_tax_unit_head: true
+        immigration_status: CITIZEN
+      person2:
+        age: 78
+        is_tax_unit_spouse: true
+        immigration_status: CITIZEN
+    tax_units:
+      tax_unit:
+        members: [person1, person2]
+    marital_units:
+      marital_unit:
+        members: [person1, person2]
+    spm_units:
+      spm_unit:
+        members: [person1, person2]
+    households:
+      household:
+        members: [person1, person2]
+        state_code: CA
+  output:
+    ssi: [725, 725] # 1,450 / 2
+    ca_state_supplement_food_allowance_eligible: false
+    ca_state_supplement_food_allowance: 0
+    ca_state_supplement_payment_standard: 2_057.83
+    ca_state_supplement: 607.83 # 2,057.83 - 1,450
+
+- name: 2025 aged couple whose living arrangement prevents food preparation gets the restaurant meals allowance
+  period: 2025-01
+  absolute_error_margin: 0.01
+  input:
+    people:
+      person1:
+        age: 83
+        is_tax_unit_head: true
+        immigration_status: CITIZEN
+      person2:
+        age: 78
+        is_tax_unit_spouse: true
+        immigration_status: CITIZEN
+    tax_units:
+      tax_unit:
+        members: [person1, person2]
+    marital_units:
+      marital_unit:
+        members: [person1, person2]
+    spm_units:
+      spm_unit:
+        members: [person1, person2]
+    households:
+      household:
+        members: [person1, person2]
+        state_code: CA
+        living_arrangements_allow_for_food_preparation: false
+  output:
+    ssi: [725, 725] # 1,450 / 2
+    ca_state_supplement_food_allowance_eligible: true
+    ca_state_supplement_food_allowance: 257.74 # 2,315.57 - 2,057.83
+    ca_state_supplement_payment_standard: 2_315.57 # 2,057.83 + 257.74
+    ca_state_supplement: 865.57 # 2,315.57 - 1,450

policyengine_us/tests/policy/baseline/gov/usda/snap/fy2027_cola.yaml

@@ -253,7 +253,20 @@
   input:
     age: 65
     state_code: CA
-    social_security_retirement: 14_000
+    # $17,000 / 12 = $1,416.67 a month; less the $20 disregard, $1,396.67 is
+    # above the $994 federal SSI rate and both California aged standards
+    # ($1,233.94, or $1,362.81 with the WIC 12200(e) restaurant meals
+    # allowance). No SSI or SSP is paid, so SNAP does not depend on
+    # living_arrangements_allow_for_food_preparation. At $14,000 the household
+    # got an SSP and, without the allowance, SNAP of $26 in September and $38
+    # from October, above the minimum.
+    # September: 1,416.67 - 209 = 1,207.67; shelter 663 - 603.83 = 59.17;
+    # net 1,148.50, rounded to 1,149; 30% = 344.70, rounded up to 345 > $298,
+    # so the $24 minimum applies.
+    # October: 1,416.67 - 217 = 1,199.67; shelter 663 - 599.83 = 63.17;
+    # net 1,136.50, rounded to 1,137; 30% = 341.10, rounded up to 342 > $306,
+    # so the $25 minimum applies.
+    social_security_retirement: 17_000
     takes_up_snap_if_eligible: true
   output:
     snap_max_allotment:

policyengine_us/tests/policy/baseline/gov/usda/snap/income/snap_unearned_income_state_ssi_supplements.yaml

@@ -16,11 +16,18 @@
         state_name: CA
   output:
     ssi: 994
-    ca_state_supplement: 368.81 # 1,233.94 + 128.87 - 994
+    # Independent-living standard $1,233.94 - $994 federal SSI. The household
+    # does not report that its living arrangement prevents meal preparation, so
+    # it gets no restaurant meals allowance (WIC 12200(e)).
+    ca_state_supplement: 239.94
     # Without the supplement the household's SNAP unearned income would be the
     # $994 federal SSI benefit alone, and SNAP would be $143.
-    snap_unearned_income: 1_362.81
-    snap: 24
+    snap_unearned_income: 1_233.94 # 994 + 239.94
+    # 1,233.94 - 209 standard deduction = 1,024.94; excess shelter deduction
+    # 663 utility allowance - 50% x 1,024.94 = 150.53; net income
+    # 1,024.94 - 150.53 = 874.41, rounded to 874; 30% x 874 = 262.20, rounded
+    # up to 263; 298 maximum allotment - 263 = 35.
+    snap: 35
 
 - name: Massachusetts state supplement counts as SNAP unearned income.
   period: 2026-01
@@ -62,8 +69,9 @@
         members: [person1, person2]
         state_name: CA
   output:
-    ca_state_supplement: 368.81 # 1,233.94 + 128.87 - 994
-    snap_unearned_income: 1_362.81
+    # $1,233.94 - $994, with no restaurant meals allowance (WIC 12200(e)).
+    ca_state_supplement: 239.94
+    snap_unearned_income: 1_233.94 # 994 + 239.94
 
 # Indiana pays its Residential Care Assistance Program supplement to the
 # facility as a per diem. 273.9(b)(2)(i) counts assistance "even if provided in

policyengine_us/tests/policy/baseline/household/income/spm_unit/spm_unit_benefits.yaml

@@ -98,13 +98,15 @@
     spm_unit_benefits: 4
 
 - name: Benefits include California's SSI state supplement.
-  # Single aged Californian, no income, 2026. Monthly payment standard is
-  # 1,233.94 (aged or disabled, single) + 128.87 (food allowance) = 1,362.81.
-  # Monthly SSI is the 994 federal benefit rate for an individual, and
-  # countable income is zero, so the monthly supplement is
-  # 1,362.81 - 994 - 0 = 368.81. Annualised: ssi = 994 * 12 = 11,928 and
-  # ca_state_supplement = 368.81 * 12 = 4,425.72, summing to 16,353.72,
-  # which is the annual payment standard.
+  # Single aged Californian, no income, 2026. The household does not report
+  # its living arrangement, so it can prepare meals at home and gets no
+  # restaurant meals allowance (WIC 12200(e) pays it only when the living
+  # arrangement prevents meal preparation). Monthly payment standard is
+  # 1,233.94 (aged or disabled, single). Monthly SSI is the 994 federal
+  # benefit rate for an individual, and countable income is zero, so the
+  # monthly supplement is 1,233.94 - 994 - 0 = 239.94. Annualised:
+  # ssi = 994 * 12 = 11,928 and ca_state_supplement = 239.94 * 12 = 2,879.28,
+  # summing to 14,807.28, which is the annual payment standard.
   period: 2026
   absolute_error_margin: 0.01
   input:
@@ -122,8 +124,8 @@
         state_code: CA
   output:
     ssi: 11_928
-    ca_state_supplement: 4_425.72
-    spm_unit_benefits: 16_353.72
+    ca_state_supplement: 2_879.28
+    spm_unit_benefits: 14_807.28
 
 - name: Benefits include modeled state unemployment insurance net of the SNAP it reduces.
   # Low-income Pennsylvania adult with no reported UC and no earnings. Modeled

policyengine_us/tests/policy/baseline/partners/analytics_coverage/edge_cases/state/ca/state_supplement.yaml

@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 # CA SSI State Supplementary Payment (SSP) partner edge cases.
 # 2026 payment standards (2026-01-01 params): aged/disabled single $1,233.94,
 # married (both aged/disabled) $2,098.83; food allowance single $128.87,
-# married $257.74 (applies when living arrangements do not allow food
-# preparation, the model default). 2026 SSI FBR: $994 single, $1,491 couple.
+# married $257.74 (applies only when living arrangements do not allow food
+# preparation; the model default allows it, so these cases get no food
+# allowance). 2026 SSI FBR: $994 single, $1,491 couple.
 # SSP = payment standard - SSI - SSI countable income.
 - name: ca_state_supplement_aged_single_no_income_max (ca)
   period: 2026
@@ -41,9 +42,9 @@
   output:
     spm_units:
       spm_unit:
-        # Standard: 1,233.94 + 128.87 food = 1,362.81; SSI = 994 FBR (no income).
-        # SSP: (1,362.81 - 994) x 12 = 368.81 x 12 = 4,425.72.
-        ca_state_supplement: 4_425.72
+        # Standard: 1,233.94 (no food allowance); SSI = 994 FBR (no income).
+        # SSP: (1,233.94 - 994) x 12 = 239.94 x 12 = 2,879.28.
+        ca_state_supplement: 2_879.28
 - name: ca_state_supplement_aged_couple_no_income (ca)
   period: 2026
   absolute_error_margin: 0.1
@@ -91,9 +92,9 @@
   output:
     spm_units:
       spm_unit:
-        # Both aged: married standard 2,098.83 + married food 257.74 = 2,356.57;
-        # SSI couple FBR 1,491. SSP: (2,356.57 - 1,491) x 12 = 865.57 x 12 = 10,386.84.
-        ca_state_supplement: 10_386.84
+        # Both aged: married standard 2,098.83 (no food allowance);
+        # SSI couple FBR 1,491. SSP: (2,098.83 - 1,491) x 12 = 607.83 x 12 = 7,293.96.
+        ca_state_supplement: 7_293.96
 - name: ca_state_supplement_aged_single_earnings_partial (ca)
   period: 2026
   absolute_error_margin: 0.1
@@ -133,8 +134,8 @@
       spm_unit:
         # $2,200/mo earned: SSI countable = (2,200 - 20 - 65) / 2 = 1,057.50
         # > 994 FBR -> federal SSI = 0, but SSP standard is higher:
-        # SSP: (1,362.81 - 0 - 1,057.50) x 12 = 305.31 x 12 = 3,663.72.
-        ca_state_supplement: 3_663.72
+        # SSP: (1,233.94 - 0 - 1,057.50) x 12 = 176.44 x 12 = 2,117.28.
+        ca_state_supplement: 2_117.28
 - name: ca_state_supplement_resources_above_limit_ineligible (ca)
   period: 2026
   absolute_error_margin: 0.1

policyengine_us/variables/gov/states/ca/cdss/capi/_ca_capi_ssi_ssp_standard.py

@@ -71,10 +71,10 @@ def ca_capi_ssi_ssp_standard(person, period, parameters):
     aged_or_disabled = (age >= p.aged_or_disabled.age_threshold) | person(
         "is_ssi_disabled", period.this_year
     )
-    # NOTE: living_arrangements_allow_for_food_preparation has no default
-    # value and the microdata do not set it, so every aged or disabled
-    # person gets the no-cooking allowance (+$128.87 a month in 2026, +$257.74
-    # for a couple) unless it is set (issue 10296).
+    # NOTE: living_arrangements_allow_for_food_preparation defaults to true
+    # and the microdata do not set it, so the no-cooking allowance (+$128.87
+    # a month in 2026, +$257.74 for a couple) applies only when the input is
+    # set to false (issue 10296).
     no_cooking = ~person.household(
         "living_arrangements_allow_for_food_preparation", period.this_year
     )

policyengine_us/variables/household/demographic/household/living_arrangements_allow_for_food_preparation.py

@@ -5,4 +5,17 @@ class living_arrangements_allow_for_food_preparation(Variable):
     value_type = bool
     entity = Household
     label = "Living arrangements allow for food preparation"
+    documentation = (
+        "Whether the household's living arrangement lets its members prepare "
+        "meals at home, with adequate cooking and food storage facilities. "
+        "Defaults to true, the common case; set it to false for a household "
+        "without such facilities, such as a room without a kitchen. California "
+        "pays the SSI/SSP restaurant meals allowance only to an aged or disabled "
+        "recipient whose living arrangement prevents meal preparation at home."
+    )
     definition_period = YEAR
+    default_value = True
+    reference = [
+        "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=WIC&sectionNum=12200",
+        "https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0501415140SF",
+    ]