Clarifies that the requirement to determine TANF ECF eligibility for needy families if the subsidized employment slot is for more than 12 months. In those situations, the county will need to re-determine TANF ECF eligibility no less than annually. [Download]

Sets out the “internal controls” required by the feds to ensure federal Work Participation data is validated. The on-site county reviews will begin in April 2010. [Download]

Program instructions regarding the provision of Non-Recurrent Short-Term Benefits which can be funded through the TANF Emergency Contingency Fund (ECF). Eligible groups are families potentially eligible for CalWORKs who take Diversion benefits; those on CalWORKs; and “needy families” (income less than 200% of the federal poverty level, which also meets one of the following criteria: a minor child is living with a parent or adult relative caregiver, (including a non-custodial parent who does not reside with the minor child), regardless of whether the child is receiving CalWORKs cash aid; a woman who is in her third trimester of pregnancy; A family in which a minor child is temporarily absent for a period of time not to exceed 12 months due to child abuse and neglect, and the parent or parents of the child are engaged in family reunification services. The benefits are designed to deal with a specific crisis situation or episode of need; not intended to meet recurrent or ongoing needs; and will not extend beyond four months. [Download]

New info on the “Work Pays” notice: The calculations have been updated using the current California minimum wage and new Maximum Aid Payment levels. The “job retention services section” was revised to clarify the period that those services are available after leaving CalWORKs. The EITC section has been expanded to include information on Advance EITC, receiving the EITC for prior tax years, and locating free help in filing a return. The reference to the “18 and 24-Month Time Limits” deleted. [Download]