CDSS has issued instructions about implementing AB 433 (2015) regarding CalWORKs eligibility in the event of death of a child. AB 433 requires that if the county becomes aware of the death of a child, CalWORKs benefits cannot be decreased in the month of the death or the following month. Note that for semi-annual (SAR) reporters, change in household composition is not a mandatory mid-period report. This means SAR reporters are not required to report death of a child until the next semi-annual report. However, if death of a child is reported, the county must act on that information. For AR/CO reporters, death of a child must be reported within 10 days and AB 433 means these families are eligible for an additional month of benefits following the death.
In addition, AB 433 prohibits sanctions or overpayments for failure or refusal to comply with Welfare-to-Work requirements during the month the child died or in the following month. ACL 16-90 (October 21, 2016).