CDSS has issued instructions implementing SB 570 regarding CalWORKs treatment of Veterans education, training, vocation or rehabilitation benefits. Effective January 1, 2018, Veterans Administration benefits for education, training, vocation or rehabilitation are exempt as income for purposes of CalWORKs for veterans, dependents of veterans and spouses of veterans who either died in the line of duty or have a service-connected disability. Asset rules continue to apply these benefits, meaning that they are considered property in future months.
The exemption also applies to households categorically eligible for CalFresh because they receive CalWORKs. The exemption does not apply to CalFresh only households.
Veterans benefits now excluded as income for CalWORKs include but are not limited to GI Bill, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Services, Yellow Ribbon Program, Survivors and Dependant Assistance Program, Tutorial Assistance, License and Certification Reimbursement, National Call to Service Program, Compensated Work Therapy and Work Study.
Counties must create a manual business process to implement the veterans benefits exclusion until each respective computer consortia is programmed to implement the exclusion. (ACL 17-125, December 29, 2017.)