The California Department of Social Services has provided guidance about new rules for about counting Guaranteed Income (GI) payments as income for CalWORKs. A GI payment is one or more unconditional cash payments issued from a program intended to support the basic needs of recipients and disrupt poverty. An unconditional payment means that there are no restrictions on how GI participants use that money.
GI payments are now exempt from being considered income or resources for CalWORKs. Counties must exempt any direct GI payments made to CalWORKs applicants and for recipients at Semi-Annual Report (SAR 7), annual redetermination, or when reported to the county
CalWORKs applicants must submit a verification form for GI participation, SAR 7 and annual redetermination. Verification can include but are not limited to, award letters, and bank statements. Counties are encouraged to inform GI programs and their participants of verification requirements. If GI recipients are having problems verifying GI income, counties can contact the GI programs on their behalf by obtaining a release of information.
CalFresh income exemption policy is unchanged. Direct payment from GI programs are exempt from being considered income when the payment contains any amount of non-governmental funds. Payments from GI programs that do not contain any amount of non-governmental funds are considered income for CalFresh.
Verification is needed for CalFresh intercountry transfers, childcare, and Tribal TANF. Award letters used for verification should include a statement about whether there are any non-governmental funds used for each direct payment. GI payments which are determined exempt from being considered income for CalFresh do not require additional verification. If the county cannot determine if the GI income is exempt, the county must use documentary evidence as the primary source of verification. Collateral contacts or a written sworn statement may be used when documentary evidence cannot be obtained or is insufficient to determine if the GI income is exempt.
When a GI program participant moves to another county and continues to receive GI payments, any GI payments that were exempt in the sending county must continue to be exempt in the receiving county. (ACL 24-09, February 28, 2024.)