The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued guidance regarding treatment of Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) and Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). LWA is $300 per week issued to persons who are unemployed or partially unemployed because of COVID-19 and are eligible for at least $100 per week in unemployment insurance. LWA is being issued pursuant to Presidential Memorandum dated August 8, 2020.
LWA is not considered income for purposes of CalWORKs, Refugee Cash Assistance, Entrant Cash Assistance and Trafficking and Crime Victims Assistance Program (TCVAP). LWA is exempt because it is assistance issued under the Stafford Act.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is also not counted as income for purposes of CalWORKs, Refugee Cash Assistance, Entrant Cash Assistance and Trafficking and Crime Victims Assistance Program (TCVAP) because it is assistance issued under the Stafford Act. (ACWDL, September 10, 2020.)