The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued instructions implementing AB 910 about Welfare-to-Work requirements for two parent households with one disabled parent and pregnant women only assistance units.

Effective July 1, 2018, two parent assistance units with one disabled parent that are on the 24 month time clock must participate an average of 20 hours per week with a child under age 6 and 30 hours per week without a child under age 6.

To meet federal standards either to stop the 24 month clock or after exhausting of the 24 month clock, two parent assistance units with one disabled parent must participate an average of 30 hours per week of which 20 hours must be core.

Pregnant Woman Only assistance units that are on the 24 month time clock must participate an average of 20 hours per week.  To meet federal standards either to stop the 24 month clock or after exhausting of the 24 month clock, Pregnant Woman Only assistance units must participate an average of 30 hours per week of which 20 hours must be core.  (ACL 18-84, July 5, 2018.)

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued instructions about overpayments of CalWORKs immediate need benefits.

Applicants are eligible for CalWORKs immediate need if they are apparently eligible for CalWORKs and have an emergency situation.  With limited exceptions, information does not need to be verified for immediate need eligibility.

An immediate need payment is only an overpayment if the applicant was not apparently eligible for CalWORKs when the immediate need payment was issued.  A finding by the county that the assistance unit is not eligible for CalWORKs after full evaluation of the case does not, by itself, mean that immediate need is an overpayment.

A change in circumstances between issuance of immediate need and full evaluation of the application does not make the immediate need payment an overpayment unless the applicant was not apparently eligible for CalWORKs when the immediate need payment was issued based on the circumstances at the time the immediate need payment was issued.  (ACL 18-26, June 6, 2018.)

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued instructions implementing AB 236 regarding homeless assistance for family reunification cases.

CalWORKs families receiving family reunification services are now eligible for 16 days of temporary homeless assistance while searching for permanent housing.  CalWORKs families receiving family reunification services are eligible if they are homeless and have no more than $100 in liquid resources.  Counties should offer additional services to assist with housing including Family Stabilization, Housing Support Program and Bringing Families Home program.  (ACL 18-71, June 25, 2018.)

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued instructions implementing AB 557 regarding the expansion of homeless assistance for persons escaping domestic abuse.

CalWORKs applicants who provide a sworn statement of past or present domestic abuse and are fleeing the abuser are eligible for up to 32 days of temporary homeless assistance benefits if found to be apparently eligible for CalWORKs regardless of the abuser’s income or assets.  This benefit is available even if the applicant has not spent a night homeless.  This benefit is available even if the applicant has a joint bank account that they claim belongs to the abuser.

Any income or assets the applicant has on hand will be evaluated toward the $100 limit for homeless assistance eligibility.  There is no requirement that the applicant verify homelessness beyond the sworn statement that they are fleeing domestic abuse.

CalWORKs applicants fleeing domestic abuse shall receive a lump sum equal to 16 days of temporary homeless assistance benefits on the date of application.  Applicants will received a lump sum for an additional 16 days of homeless assistance if they remain homeless and their CalWORKs application has not yet been granted.  Payments can be made to the applicant or to the temporary shelter at the applicant’s choice.  If the applicant does not provide verification that the funds were spent on shelter, the second 16 days can be issued by voucher.

Persons fleeing domestic violence are not required to provide proof of their search for housing unless they have also been granted immediate need or are issued their first month of CalWORKs benefits and therefore have been issued regular homeless assistance.  In such cases, counties are strongly encouraged to grant good cause from complying with the housing search verification requirement.

The homeless assistance benefit for persons fleeing domestic violence is available once in a lifetime.  (ACL 18-78, June 29, 2018.)