The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has informed counties that the CalWORKs Minimum Basic Standard of Care (MBSAC) will increase by 6.85% effective July 1, 2023. This is an annual cost of living increase. This will increase the MBSAC in Region 1 to $862 for a 1 one person assistance unit, $1,415 for a 2 person assistance unit, $1,753 for a 3 person assistance unit and increasing with increases in assistance unit size. The MBSAC for Region 2 will increase to $818 for a 1 one person assistance unit, $1,343 for a 2 person assistance unit, $1,664 for a 3 person assistance unit and increasing with increases in assistance unit size.
The MBSAC is the maximum income before deductions that a family can have to be eligible for CalWORKs.
The same increase will apply to the MBSAC for Refugee Cash Assistance, Entrant Cash Assistance and Trafficking and Crime Victims Assistance Program. The same increase will apply to the CalWORKs Income in-kind level, which is the maximum amount of in kind income that is counted against the grant. (ACL 23-48, May 26, 2023.)