text: In all cases in which the paternity of the child has not been established to the satisfaction of the county department, the county department shall refer the applicant to local child support agency at the time the application is signed. Upon the advice of a county department that a child is being considered for adoption, and regardless of whether or not the whereabouts of the parent is known, the local child support agency shall delay the investigation and other action with respect to the case until advised that the adoption is no longer under consideration. The local child support agency shall conduct such investigation as the agency considers necessary, and where he or she deems it appropriate, the agency may bring an action under Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 7630) of Part 3 of Division 12 of the Family Code. When the cause is at issue, it shall be set for trial at the earliest possible date and shall take precedence over all other cases except older matters of the same character and matters to which precedence may be given by law.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1999, Ch. 478, Sec. 46. Effective January 1, 2000.)

article: 7. Enforcement


kind: section

code: WIC

text: Any person other than a needy child, who willfully and knowingly receives or uses any part of an aid grant paid pursuant to this chapter for a purpose other than support of the needy children and the caretaker involved, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1965, Ch. 1784.)

division: 9. PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES

article: 7. Enforcement

path: 9. PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES > 2. California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids Act > 7. Enforcement


text: If the district attorney, during the course of any investigation made by him pursuant to this article, determines that any person has committed any act or has omitted the performance of any duty, which act or omission causes or tends to cause or encourage any child receiving aid under this chapter to come within the provisions of Sections 300, 601, or 602 of this code, the district attorney shall prosecute such person under the provisions of Section 272 of the Penal Code.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1979, Ch. 373.)

chapter: 2. California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids Act

article: 7. Enforcement


text: The department shall evaluate the effectiveness of a 24-hour welfare fraud hotline pilot project, to assess greater public involvement and assistance in welfare fraud detection.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1984, Ch. 1448, Sec. 3.5.)

article: 7. Enforcement


text: Any person other than a needy child, who willfully and knowingly, with the intent to deceive, makes a false statement or representation or knowingly fails to disclose a material fact to obtain aid, or who, knowing he or she is not entitled thereto, attempts to obtain aid or to continue to receive aid to which he or she is not entitled, or a larger amount than that to which he or she is legally entitled, is guilty of a misdemeanor, except as specified in Section 11482.5 and shall be subject to prosecution under the provisions of Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 10980) of Part 2.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1984, Ch. 1448, Sec. 4.)

article: 7. Enforcement


text: Any person who knowingly makes more than one application for aid with the intent of establishing multiple entitlements for any person for the same period, or who makes an application for aid by claiming a false identity for any person or by making an application for a fictitious or nonexistent person, is guilty of a felony and shall be subject to prosecution under the provisions of Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 10980) of Part 2.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1984, Ch. 1448, Sec. 5.)

article: 7. Enforcement


text:
Except as specified in Section 11483.5, whenever any person has, by means of false statement or representation or by impersonation or other fraudulent device, obtained aid for a child not in fact entitled thereto, the person obtaining such aid shall be subject to prosecution under the provisions of Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 10980) of Part 2.

When the allegation is limited to failure to report not more than two thousand dollars ($2,000) of income or resources, or the failure to report the presence of an additional person or persons in the household, all actions necessary to secure restitution shall be brought against persons in violation of Section 10980. The action for restitution may be satisfied by sending a registered letter requesting restitution to the last address at which the person was receiving public assistance.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1984, Ch. 1448, Sec. 6.)

article: 7. Enforcement


text: Any person who obtains more than one aid payment for any person as a result of knowingly making more than one application for aid with the intent of establishing multiple entitlements for that person during the same period, or who obtains aid for any person by making an application claiming a false identity or by making an application for a fictitious or nonexistent person, is guilty of a felony, and shall be subject to prosecution under the provisions of Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 10980) of Part 2.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1984, Ch. 1448, Sec. 7.)

article: 7. Enforcement


text: On request, all state, county, and local agencies shall cooperate with an investigator of an agency whose primary function is to detect, prevent, or prosecute public assistance fraud, by providing all information on hand relative to the location and prosecution of any person who has, by means of false statement or representation or by impersonation or other fraudulent device, obtained aid, or attempted to obtain aid for an individual under this chapter. That information is subject to confidentiality requirements under Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 10850) of Part 2. For purposes of this section, “information” shall not include taxpayer return information as defined in Section 19549 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, unless disclosure of this information is expressly authorized pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 19501) of Chapter 7 of Part 10.2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2000, Ch. 808, Sec. 128. Effective September 28, 2000.)

article: 7. Enforcement


text:
If, to the knowledge of the court, aid has been applied for or granted to a child of parents who are engaged in a divorce or separate maintenance action which is pending, or if the court at any stage of the litigation believes that within the near future there is a likelihood that aid will be applied for on behalf of the child, the court shall direct the clerk to notify the local child support agency and the county department of the pending action.

In any case in which aid has been applied for on behalf of the child, and the county department has knowledge that an action for divorce or separate maintenance has been filed, it shall be the duty of the county director to notify the court that aid is being paid or has been applied for, and to furnish to it such information as is available to the county department as to the financial resources of the parents which might be applied to child support.

The enforcement remedies provided the local child support agency under this article shall not preclude the use of any other remedy which he has under the law to enforce this article.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1999, Ch. 478, Sec. 49. Effective January 1, 2000.)

article: 7. Enforcement


text:
(a) The needs of any individual who is a member of a family applying for, or receiving, aid under this chapter shall not be taken into account in making the determination under Section 11450 with respect to his or her family beginning on the date, or at any time thereafter, the individual is found in state or federal court or pursuant to an administrative hearing decision, including any determination made on the basis of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, to have committed any of the following acts:

(1) Making a fraudulent statement or representation with respect to the place of residence of the individual in order to receive assistance simultaneously from two or more states or counties.

(2) Submitting documents for nonexistent children, or submitting false documents for the purpose of showing ineligible children to be eligible for aid.

(3) When there has been a receipt of cash benefits that exceeds ten thousand dollars ($10,000) as a result of intentionally and willfully doing any of the following acts for the purpose of establishing or maintaining the family’s eligibility for aid or increasing or preventing a reduction in the amount of aid:

(A) Making a false or misleading statement or misrepresenting, concealing, or withholding facts.

(B) Committing any act intended to mislead, misrepresent, conceal, or withhold facts or propound a falsity.

(b) The needs of any individual who is a member of a family applying for, or receiving, aid under this chapter shall not be taken into account in making the determination under Section 11450 with respect to his or her family for the following periods beginning on the date or any time thereafter the individual is convicted of a felony in state or federal court, including any determination made on the basis of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, for committing fraud in the receipt or attempted receipt of aid:

(1) For two years, if the amount of aid is less than two thousand dollars ($2,000).

(2) For five years, if the amount of aid is two thousand dollars ($2,000) or more but is less than five thousand dollars ($5,000).

(3) Permanently, if the amount of aid is five thousand dollars ($5,000) or more.

(c) (1) Except as provided in subdivisions (a) and (b), the needs of any individual who is a member of a family applying for, or receiving, aid under this chapter to whom paragraph (2) applies shall not be taken into account in making the determination under Section 11450 with respect to his or her family for the following periods:

(A) For a period of six months upon the first occasion of any offense referred to in paragraph (2).

(B) For a period of 12 months upon the second occasion of any of those offenses referred to in paragraph (2).

(C) Permanently, upon the third occasion of any offense referred to in subdivision (b) and paragraph (2).

(2) Except as provided in subdivisions (a), (b), and (d), paragraph (1) shall apply to any individual who is found by a federal or state court, or pursuant to a special administrative hearing meeting the requirements of regulations adopted by the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, including any determination made on the basis of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, to have done any of the following acts for the purpose of establishing or maintaining the family’s eligibility for aid or increasing, or preventing a reduction in, the amount of that aid:

(A) Making a false or misleading statement or misrepresenting, concealing, or withholding facts.

(B) Committing any act intended to mislead, misrepresent, conceal, or withhold facts or propound a falsity.

(d) (1) Except as provided in subdivisions (a) and (b), and notwithstanding subdivision (c), the needs of any individual who is a member of a family applying for, or receiving, aid under this chapter to whom paragraph (2) applies shall not be taken into account in making the determination under Section 11450 with respect to his or her family for the following periods:

(A) For a period of two years upon the first occasion of any offense referred to in paragraph (2).

(B) For a period of four years upon the second occasion of any offense referred to in paragraph (2).

(C) Permanently, upon the third occasion of any offense referred to in subdivision (b) and paragraph (2).

(2) Paragraph (1) shall apply to any individual who is found by a federal or state court, or pursuant to a special administrative hearing meeting the requirements of regulations adopted by the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, including any determination made on the basis of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, to have submitted more than one application for the same type of aid for the same period of time, for the purpose of receiving more than one grant of aid in order to establish or maintain the family’s eligibility for aid or increasing, or preventing a reduction in, the amount of that aid.

(e) Proceedings against any individual alleged to have committed an offense described in subdivision (c) or (d) may be held either by hearing, pursuant to Section 10950 and in conformity with the regulations of the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, if appropriate, or by referring the matter to the appropriate authorities for civil or criminal action in court.

(f) The department shall coordinate any action taken under this section with any corresponding actions being taken under CalFresh in any case where the factual issues involved arise from the same or related circumstances.

(g) Any period for which sanctions are imposed under this section shall remain in effect, without possibility of administrative stay, unless and until the findings upon which the sanctions were imposed are subsequently reversed by a court of appropriate jurisdiction, but in no event shall the duration of the period for which the sanctions are imposed be subject to review.

(h) Sanctions imposed under this section shall be in addition to, and not in substitution for, any other sanctions which may be provided for by law with respect to the offenses for which the sanctions are imposed.

(i) The department shall adopt regulations to ensure that any investigations made under this chapter are conducted throughout the state in such a manner as to protect the confidentiality of the current or former working recipient.

(j) Each county shall receive an amount equal to 12.5 percent of the actual amount of aid under this chapter repaid or recovered by a county, as determined by the Director of the Department of Finance resulting from the detection of fraud.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 227, Sec. 57. (AB 1400) Effective January 1, 2012.)

article: 7. Enforcement


text:
(a) The department, in consultation with system stakeholders, including county welfare departments, shall examine the CalWORKs sanction policy, its implementation, and effect on work participation, including but not limited to all of the following:

(1) The characteristics of the persons being sanctioned.

(2) The reason participants are being sanctioned.

(3) The length of time in sanctioned status.

(4) Positive and negative sanction outcomes.

(5) County variances in sanction policies, rates, and outcomes.

(6) The relationship between sanction rates and work participation.

(7) The impact of sanctions on families and their ability to become self-sufficient.

(8) Adequacy of procedures to resolve noncompliance prior to the implementation of sanctions.

(b) The department shall develop recommendations to improve the effectiveness of sanctions in achieving participant compliance, assisting families in becoming self-sufficient, and other desired program outcomes.

(c) The department shall report its findings and recommendations to the appropriate fiscal and policy committees of the Legislature by April 1, 2005.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2004, Ch. 229, Sec. 38. Effective August 16, 2004.)

article: 7. Enforcement


text:
(a) An individual shall not be eligible for aid under this chapter if the individual is either:

(1) Fleeing to avoid prosecution, or custody and confinement after conviction, under the laws of the place from which the individual is fleeing, for a crime or an attempt to commit a crime that is a felony under the laws of the place from which the individual is fleeing, or which, in the case of the State of New Jersey, is a high misdemeanor under the laws of that state. For the purposes of this section, an individual shall be determined to be fleeing to avoid prosecution, or custody and confinement after conviction, if a federal, state, or local law enforcement officer, acting in an official capacity, presents an outstanding felony arrest warrant containing one or more of the following National Crime Information Center Offense Classification Codes:

(A) Escape (4901).

(B) Flight to Avoid (4902).

(C) Flight-Escape (4999).

(2) Violating a condition of probation or parole imposed under federal law or the law of any state.

(b) Subdivision (a) shall not apply with respect to conduct of an individual for any month beginning after the President of the United States grants a pardon with respect to the conduct.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 260, Sec. 24. (SB 345) Effective January 1, 2024.)

article: 7. Enforcement


text:
(a) Whenever any aid under this chapter is repaid to the state by means of child support collections, the state shall be entitled to the amount received or recovered, except to the extent that county and federal funds were expended. If funds advanced by the federal government were paid, the federal government shall be entitled to a share of the amount received or recovered, proportionate to the amount of federal funds paid. Except as provided in subdivision (b), if funds were paid by a county, the county shall be entitled to a share of the amount received or recovered, proportionate to the amount of county funds paid.

(b) For the 2011–12 and 2012–13 fiscal years, the county share of funds received or recovered pursuant to subdivision (a) shall instead be suspended and these funds shall be retained by the state.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 47, Sec. 31. (SB 1041) Effective June 27, 2012.)

article: 7. Enforcement


text: Except as provided in Sections 11457 and 11487, whenever any aid under this chapter is repaid to a county or recovered by a county, the state shall be entitled to a share of the amount received or recovered, proportionate to the amount of state funds paid, and, if funds advanced by the federal government were paid, the federal government shall be entitled to a share of the amount received or recovered, proportionate to the amount of federal funds paid.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2011, Ch. 32, Sec. 58. (AB 106) Effective June 29, 2011.)

article: 7. Enforcement


text:
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, including Sections 11487 and 15204.5, the department shall implement a program in any participating county whereby the county shall be reimbursed for overpayment recoveries under Section 11004 as follows:

(1) Reimbursement shall be made to a participating county based on a plan of operations for a program of overpayment recoveries that is approved by the department. No operating plan shall be approved by the department unless the plan contains assurances that the participating county will maintain a centralized unit or designate a person or persons to perform the overpayment recovery activities.

(2) Reimbursement shall be made for all allowable administrative costs incurred, as defined by the department, to make a recovery of overpayments under Section 11004, not to exceed the state’s share of the overpayments recovered by the county.

(b) For purposes of this section, “participating county” means any county in which the welfare director applies to the department for participation in the program prescribed by this section.

(c) This section shall be implemented when both of the following have occurred:

(1) The federal government has made funding available for the activities described in this section.

(2) The Department of Finance has examined the annual projection of costs and savings for these activities certified by the director, and has determined that during each fiscal year in which the director proposes to implement these provisions the savings to the General Fund from increased overpayment recoveries equals or exceeds the additional costs to the state.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2001, Ch. 745, Sec. 246. Effective October 12, 2001.)

article: 7. Enforcement


text: It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this article to maximize protections afforded to survivors of domestic violence, sexual harassment, sexual assault, and stalking through the provisions of this article. By adopting this provision, the Legislature recognizes that some individuals who may need public assistance have been or are victims of abuse, and intends to ensure that applicants and recipients who are past or present victims of abuse are not placed at further risk or unfairly penalized by CalWORKs requirements and procedures. The Legislature intends that, in implementing this article, program requirements not be created or applied in such a way as to encourage a victim to remain with the person committing the abuse.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 386, Sec. 1. (AB 969) Effective January 1, 2026.)

path: 9. PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES > 2. California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids Act > 7.5. Family Violence Option:  Domestic Violence and Welfare


text:
(a) The department shall align CalWORKs with, and not be more restrictive than, the federal family violence option pursuant to Section 402(a)(7) of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 602(a)(7)), and the requirements concerning survivors of abuse pursuant to Section 402(a)(8) of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 602(a)(8)), and shall, to the fullest extent permitted, maximize protections afforded to survivors of abuse.

(b) On or before January 1, 2027, the department shall develop protocols on handling cases in which applicants and recipients are past or present victims of abuse. The protocols shall define domestic abuse, and shall address training standards and curricula, individual case assessments, confidentiality procedures, notice procedures and counseling or other appropriate participation requirements as part of an overall plan to transition from welfare-to-work. The protocol shall specify how counties shall do the following:

(1) Identify applicants and recipients of assistance under this chapter who have been or are victims of abuse, including those who self-identify, while protecting confidentiality.

(2) Refer these individuals to supportive services.

(3) Waive program requirements, on a case-by-case basis, for so long as necessary, in accordance with Section 11495.15, as added by the act that added subdivision (e). Requirements that shall be waived, if eligible, include, but are not limited to, time limits on receipt of assistance, work requirements, educational requirements, paternity establishment and child support cooperation requirements.

(4) Issue an adequate written notice of action to each applicant or recipient of the determination about whether a waiver will be issued, and if a waiver is denied, the specific reasons for the denial.

(5) Issue timely and adequate notice of action when discontinuing a waiver that includes the specific reasons for termination.

(c) Waivers of time limits granted pursuant to this section shall not be implemented if federal statutes or regulations clarify that abuse victims are included in the 20-percent hardship exemptions and that no good cause waivers of the 20-percent limit will be granted to the state for victims of abuse, thereby incurring a penalty to the state.

(d) Waivers of the work requirements granted pursuant to this section shall not be implemented if federal statutes or regulations clarify that the state will be penalized for failing to meet work participation requirements due to granting waivers to abuse victims.

(e) Notwithstanding the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), the department may implement, interpret, or make specific the changes made to this section by the act that added this subdivision by means of all-county letters or similar written instructions from the department until regulations are adopted. These all-county letters or similar instructions shall have the same force and effect as regulations until the adoption of regulations.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 386, Sec. 2. (AB 969) Effective January 1, 2026.)

article: 7.5. Family Violence Option:  Domestic Violence and Welfare


text: For purposes of this article, until regulations are adopted pursuant to Section 11495.1, the term “abuse” means battering or subjecting a victim to extreme cruelty by (1) physical acts that resulted in or threatened to result in physical injury, (2) sexual abuse, (3) sexual activity involving a child in the home, (4) being forced to participate in nonconsensual sexual acts or activities, (5) threats of, or attempts at, physical or sexual abuse, (6) mental abuse, (7) neglect or deprivation of medical care, or (8) stalking.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1997, Ch. 270, Sec. 155. Effective August 11, 1997. Operative January 1, 1998, by Sec. 183 of Ch. 270.)


text:
(a) A county shall waive a program requirement for a recipient who has been identified as a past or present victim of abuse when it has been determined that good cause exists pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (f) of Section 11320.3. Until implementation of the regulations required pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 11495.1, a county may utilize standards, procedures, and protocols currently available and shall identify them in its county plan. Waivers shall be reevaluated in accordance with other routine periodic reevaluations by the county.

(b) This section shall be inoperative on January 1, 2028, or when the department notifies the Legislature that the Statewide Automated Welfare System can perform the necessary automation to implement Section 11495.15, as added by the act that added this subdivision, whichever date is later, and as of January 1 of the following year, is repealed.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 386, Sec. 3. (AB 969) Effective January 1, 2026. Conditionally inoperative on or after January 1, 2028, as prescribed by its own provisions. Repealed as of January 1 following the inoperative date. See later operative version added by Sec. 4 of Stats. 2025, Ch. 386.)


text:
(a) (1) A county shall waive, on a case-by-case basis, a program requirement for an applicant or recipient who has been identified as a past or present victim of domestic abuse for good cause, as provided in this section.

(2) A county shall find good cause for a waiver under this article, and shall issue a waiver, when compliance with the program requirement would make it more difficult for an applicant or recipient, or their children, to escape abuse or to stay safe after escaping abuse, or that it would be detrimental or unfairly penalize those applicants or recipients who are or have been victimized by abuse or who are at risk of further domestic abuse.

(3) A county shall not deny a waiver absent a documented determination that an applicant or recipient could comply with the program requirement without that requirement making it more difficult for them, or their children, to escape abuse, or that the requirement would not be detrimental or unfairly penalize them. The recipient’s attestation regarding the impact of compliance with the program rule shall be sufficient to issue a waiver unless the county determines the statement is not credible because of the recipient’s contradictory statements or other supporting documentation.

(4) The department, in conjunction with counties, advocates, and current or former recipient survivors, shall develop statewide standards for determining when there is good cause to issue a waiver.

(b) When reviewing waiver eligibility, a county shall not consider participation hours in domestic violence, mental health, or substance disorder services that contribute to the individual meeting any required participation hours as a basis for denying a waiver. In no event shall a county deny a waiver because a survivor does not receive or participate in services from a victim service provider. A county shall not discontinue a waiver on the basis that a survivor chooses to voluntarily participate in welfare-to-work activities.

(c) A county shall reevaluate a waiver every six months. A county may reevaluate a waiver more frequently based upon the recipient’s report of changed circumstances.

(d) A county shall notify each applicant or recipient about whether a waiver will be issued, and if a waiver is denied, the specific reasons for the denial. The county shall provide an adequate written notice of action regarding the waiver request by the time of application approval. A county shall not take any adverse action against a recipient for noncompliance with a program requirement while a waiver request is pending for that program requirement.

(e) A county shall notify each recipient if a waiver will be terminated and the reasons for the termination. The county shall provide a written timely and adequate notice of action of the termination.

(f) Notwithstanding the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), the department may implement, interpret, or make specific this section by means of all-county letters or similar written instructions from the department until regulations are adopted. These all-county letters or similar instructions shall have the same force and effect as regulations until the adoption of regulations.

(g) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2028, or when the department notifies the Legislature that the Statewide Automated Welfare System can perform the necessary automation to implement this section, whichever date is later.

history: (History: Repealed (in Sec. 3) and added by Stats. 2025, Ch. 386, Sec. 4. (AB 969) Effective January 1, 2026. Conditionally operative on or after January 1, 2028, as prescribed by its own provisions.)


text:
(a) All CalWORKs applicants and recipients shall be informed verbally and in writing, and to the extent required by law, in the language understood by the applicant or recipient, of the availability of services designed to assist individuals to identify, escape, or stop future domestic abuse as well as to overcome the effects of domestic abuse.

(b) This section shall be inoperative on January 1, 2028, or when the department notifies the Legislature that the Statewide Automated Welfare System can perform the necessary automation to implement Section 11495.15, as added by the act that added this subdivision, whichever date is later, and as of January 1 of the following year, is repealed.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 386, Sec. 5. (AB 969) Effective January 1, 2026. Conditionally inoperative on or after January 1, 2028, as prescribed by its own provisions. Repealed as of January 1 following the inoperative date. See later operative version added by Sec. 6 of Stats. 2025, Ch. 386.)


text:
(a) The department, in consultation with stakeholders, including, but not limited to, federally recognized state domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions, other domestic abuse, sexual assault, and sexual harassment advocates, and public benefits advocates, shall develop both of the following:

(1) A uniform set of written materials to be used statewide that addresses all relevant information and necessary requirements designed to assist individuals to identify, escape, or stop future abuse, overcome the effects of abuse, and make informed decisions. The statewide information may be provided in one document and shall include all of the following information:

(A) Available domestic abuse, stalking, sexual assault, and sexual harassment resources and victim service providers.

(B) How the information of an applicant or recipient abuse survivor is kept confidential and when the county human services agency is legally required to disclose that information.

(C) Information on the availability of program waivers, including a specific list of program requirements that may be waived, other program requirements not listed that may be waived, the option to waive other program requirements not listed, how to request a waiver, and a waiver request form, as described in paragraph (2).

(D) Information about safety planning, including the process of identifying risks, mapping out resources, and assessing options to increase survivor safety developed by specialized workers in partnership with the abuse survivor.

(E) How the county will tailor a recipient survivor’s welfare-to-work plan and CalWORKs support services to meet their needs.

(F) Information on CalWORKs eligibility for noncitizen abuse survivors, exceptions to immigrant sponsor deeming requirements, and information on applying for legal status for noncitizen abuse survivors.

(2) A standardized waiver request form that allows an applicant or recipient to identify the specific program requirements that they need waived. The form shall include a list of program requirements that may be waived, the ability to request a waiver of a requirement that may not be specifically listed, and a way for an applicant or recipient to indicate whether they are seeking a waiver for a retroactive period of time.

(b) A county shall safely and confidentially verbally inform of, and provide, in the preferred language identified by the applicant or recipient to the extent required by law, the written materials and standardized waiver request form described in subdivision (a) to each applicant and recipient. Each county shall supplement the written materials described in subdivision (a) with the name and contact information for local service providers, local policies, and local resources.

(c) Notwithstanding the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), the department may implement, interpret, or make specific this section by means of all-county letters or similar written instructions from the department until regulations are adopted. These all-county letters or similar instructions shall have the same force and effect as regulations until the adoption of regulations.

(d) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2028, or when the department notifies the Legislature that the Statewide Automated Welfare System can perform the necessary automation to implement this section, whichever date is later.

history: (History: Repealed (in Sec. 5) and added by Stats. 2025, Ch. 386, Sec. 6. (AB 969) Effective January 1, 2026. Conditionally operative on or after January 1, 2028, as prescribed by its own provisions.)


text: During the annual budget process, the department shall update the Legislature at hearings regarding the number of CalWORKs recipients, aggregated by county, who have been identified as potential victims of domestic abuse during the online CalWORKs appraisal process, and the number of CalWORKs recipients who have been identified as survivors of nondomestic stalking, sexual abuse, and sexual harassment. The report shall also include a summary of actions taken by the department to address the specific and unique needs of survivors of abuse.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 386, Sec. 7. (AB 969) Effective January 1, 2026.)


text: Sworn statements by a victim of past or present abuse shall be sufficient to establish abuse unless the agency documents in writing an independent, reasonable basis to find the recipient not credible. Evidence may also include, but is not limited to: police, government agency, or court records or files; documentation from a domestic violence program, legal, clerical, medical or other professional from whom the applicant or recipient has sought assistance in dealing with abuse; or other evidence, such as a statement from any other individual with knowledge of the circumstances that provide the basis for the claim, physical evidence of abuse, or any other evidence that supports the statement.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 538, Sec. 703. Effective January 1, 2007.)


text: The department shall adopt a model curriculum for domestic violence and sexual abuse prevention training, based on the statewide protocol, in consultation with the task force identified in Section 11495.1. County welfare agencies shall determine which staff will be trained.


text: The county may continue to provide case management and services to either a recipient of aid under this chapter not participating under Article 3.2 (commencing with Section 11320) or a former recipient of aid under this chapter who has received aid within the previous 12 months if a recipient or former recipient is employed, in order to assist the individual in retaining employment. These job retention services may be provided for up to 12 months after the first day of employment, to the extent they are not provided by the employer, the entity that arranged the job placement, if other than the county, and, to the extent that the services are not available from other sources.

history: (History: Repealed and added by Stats. 1997, Ch. 270, Sec. 157. Effective August 11, 1997. Operative January 1, 1998, by Sec. 183 of Ch. 270.)

article: 8. Employment Retention Services

path: 9. PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES > 2. California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids Act > 8. Employment Retention Services


text: The State Department of Social Services shall ensure that a comprehensive, independent statewide evaluation of the CalWORKs program is undertaken and that accurate evaluative information is made available to the Legislature in a timely fashion.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1997, Ch. 270, Sec. 158. Effective August 11, 1997. Operative January 1, 1998, by Sec. 183 of Ch. 270.)

path: 9. PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES > 2. California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids Act > 9. Evaluation of CalWORKs Program Implementation


text: The department shall develop a research design to ensure a thorough evaluation of the direct and indirect effects of the CalWORKs program. Effects shall include, but not be limited to, employment, earnings, self-sufficiency, child care, child support, child well-being, family structure, and impacts on local government. Child well-being shall include entries into foster care, at-risk births, school achievement, child abuse reports, and rates of child poverty.

article: 9. Evaluation of CalWORKs Program Implementation


text: The statewide evaluation shall be conducted by an independent evaluator or evaluators. It shall represent a clear delineation of the research questions and shall, through discrete reports issued at regular intervals, provide information regarding process, impacts, and analyses of the costs and benefits of the CalWORKs program.


text: The department shall ensure that county demonstration projects and other innovative county approaches to CalWORKs program implementation are independently and rigorously evaluated and that findings are reported to the Legislature in a timely fashion. The evaluation of a county-specific program shall be developed in conjunction with the county and other appropriate agencies responsible for the local program.


text: Evaluation of CalWORKs program implementation conducted or commissioned by the department shall, to the extent practical, use or build upon existing welfare data archives, including, but not limited to, the data bases and research completed to date as part of the Work Pays Demonstration Project authorized pursuant to Chapter 97 of the Statutes of 1992.


text: The department shall have access and authority to obtain for tracking, monitoring, research and evaluation purposes to data collected by counties on recipients receiving cash aid, in-kind payments, or supportive services.


text: The department, in conjunction with participating representatives of counties and the Legislature, shall develop approaches to improving data collection and management information reporting in the CalWORKs program.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2005, Ch. 78, Sec. 28. Effective July 19, 2005.)


text:
(a) This section shall be known and may be cited as the CalWORKs Outcomes and Accountability Review Act of 2017.

(b) The State Department of Social Services shall establish, by July 1, 2019, the California CalWORKs Outcomes and Accountability Review (Cal-OAR) to facilitate a local accountability system that fosters continuous quality improvement in county CalWORKs programs and in the collection and dissemination by the department of best practices in service delivery. The Cal-OAR shall cover CalWORKs services provided to current and former recipients, including those who are in sanction or exempt status or who are unengaged, and shall include the programmatic elements that each county offers as part of its CalWORKs service array as well as any local program components, and shall consist of performance indicators, a county CalWORKs self-assessment process, and a county CalWORKs system improvement plan. For purposes of this section, “CalWORKs services” shall include welfare-to-work, family stabilization, housing support, and post-employment job retention services.

(c) (1) (A) By October 1, 2017, the department shall convene a workgroup comprised of representatives from county human services agencies, legislative staff, interested welfare advocacy and research organizations, current and former CalWORKs recipients, organizations that represent county human services agencies and county boards of supervisors, representatives of community colleges, tribal organizations, and the workforce investment system, and any other state entities that the department deems necessary. The workgroup members shall also include individuals with expertise related to domestic violence, substance abuse, and mental health. The workgroup shall establish a workplan by which the Cal-OAR shall be conducted, pursuant to the provisions described in this section, including a process for qualitative peer reviews of counties’ CalWORKs services. The workgroup shall discuss potential costs for state and county participation.

(B) The department shall report annually to the Subcommittee on Health and Human Services of the Senate Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review and the Subcommittee on Health and Human Services of the Assembly Committee on Budget during the budget process with an update on the schedule for development of and future changes to the Cal-OAR.

(2) At a minimum, in establishing the work plan, the workgroup shall consider existing CalWORKs performance indicators being measured, additional, alternative, or additional and alternative process and outcome indicators to be measured, development of uniform elements of the county CalWORKs self-assessment and the county CalWORKs system improvement plans, timelines for implementation, recommendations for reducing the existing CalWORKS services data reporting burden in light of new requirements established by the act that added this section and the resulting Cal-OAR, recommendations for financial incentives to counties for achievement on performance measures, and an analysis of the county and state workload associated with implementation of the requirements of this section.

(d) The Cal-OAR shall consist of the following three components: performance indicators, a county CalWORKs self-assessment, and a county CalWORKs system improvement plan.

(1) (A) The Cal-OAR performance indicators shall be consistent with programmatic goals for the CalWORKs program, and shall include both process and outcome measures. These measures shall be established in order to provide baseline and ongoing information about how the state and counties are performing over time and to inform and guide each county human services agency’s CalWORKs self-assessment and CalWORKs system improvement plan.

(i) Process measures shall include measures of participant engagement, CalWORKs service delivery, and participation. Specific process measures shall be established by the department, in consultation with the workgroup, and may include measures of engagement as shown by improvement in program participation, timeliness of service provision, rates of utilization of program components, such as vocational education, and referrals and utilization of services based upon recommendations from the Online CalWORKs Appraisal Tool.

(ii) Outcome measures shall include measures of employment, educational attainment, program exits, and program reentries, and may include other indicators of family and child well-being as determined by the department, in consultation with the workgroup.

(B) Performance indicator data available in existing county data systems shall be collected by counties and provided to the department, and performance indicator data available in existing state department data systems shall be collected by the department and provided to the counties. These data shall be reported in a manner and on a schedule to be determined by the department, in consultation with the workgroup, but no less frequently than semiannually.

(C) (i) During the first five-year Cal-OAR cycle, performance indicator data, as reported by each county, shall be used to establish both county and statewide baselines for each of the process measures. After the first review cycle, the department shall, in consultation with the workgroup, establish standard target thresholds for each of the process measures established by the workgroup.

(ii) The department, in consultation with the workgroup, shall develop a process for resolving any disputes regarding the establishment of standard process thresholds pursuant to clause (i).

(D) For subsequent reviews, and based upon availability of additional data from enhancements to the Statewide Automated Welfare System or through interagency data-sharing agreements, the workgroup shall convene, as necessary, to consider whether to establish additional performance indicators that support the programmatic goals for the CalWORKs program. Any additional performance indicators established shall also be subject to the process described in subparagraph (C) and include consideration of when data on the additional performance indicators would be available for reporting, if not already available.

(E) If, during subsequent reviews, there is sufficient reason to establish statewide performance standards for one or more outcome measures, the department may, in consultation with the workgroup, establish those standards for each of the agreed-upon outcome measures. In making a determination as to whether there is sufficient reason to establish performance standards for any outcome measure, the department shall consider whether all counties could reasonably be expected to meet those standards given local variability in employment opportunities, availability of services, demographics, educational opportunities, and funding, among other things.

(2) (A) The county CalWORKs self-assessment component of the Cal-OAR, as established by the workgroup, shall require the county human services agencies to assess their performance on the established process and outcome measures that comprise the performance indicators, identify the strengths and weaknesses in their current practice and resource deployment, identify and describe how local operational decisions and systemic factors affect program outcomes, and consider areas of focus that may be included in the county CalWORKs system improvement plan, as described in paragraph (3). The county CalWORKs self-assessment process shall be designed to identify areas of best practices for replication and for system improvement at the county level, and shall guide the development of the county CalWORKs system improvement plan, as described in paragraph (3). To the extent a county identifies eligibility procedures and practices that it determines, through its self-assessment, contribute to its achievement on process and outcome measures related to CalWORKs services, the county may, at its option, incorporate eligibility-related elements into its system improvement plan.

(B) (i) The county CalWORKs self-assessment process shall be completed every five years by the county in consultation and collaboration with local stakeholders and submitted to the department.

(ii) Local stakeholders shall include county CalWORKs administrators, supervisors, and caseworkers; current and former CalWORKs recipients; and county human services agency partners. To the extent possible and relevant, local stakeholders shall also include representatives of community colleges, tribal organizations, and the local workforce board. Additional specific county human services agency partners shall be determined by the county and may include, but are not limited to, adult education providers, providers of services for survivors of domestic violence, the local housing continuum of care, county behavioral health departments, county drug and alcohol programs, community-based service providers, organizations that represent CalWORKs recipients, child care resource and referral programs, and alternative payment programs, as appropriate.

(3) (A) (i) The county CalWORKs system improvement plan shall consist of uniform elements to be developed by the workgroup. It shall, at a minimum, describe how the county will improve its CalWORKs program performance in strategic focus areas based upon information learned through the county CalWORKs self-assessment process. The county CalWORKs system improvement plan shall be approved in public session by the county’s board of supervisors or, as applicable, chief elected official, and submitted to the department.

(ii) The county CalWORKs system improvement plan shall be completed every five years by the county, approved in public session by the county’s board of supervisors or, as applicable, chief elected official, and be submitted to the department.

(B) The county CalWORKs system improvement plan shall include a peer CalWORKs services review element, the purpose of which shall be to provide additional insight and technical assistance by peer counties for each county.

(C) Strategic focus areas for the county CalWORKs system improvement plan shall be determined by the county, informed by the county CalWORKs self-assessment process, as described in paragraph (2), with targets for improvement based upon what is learned in the county CalWORKs self-assessment process.

(D) The county human services agency shall complete an annual progress report on the status of its submitted system improvement plan and shall submit these reports to the department. The department, in consultation with the workgroup, shall develop uniform elements of the progress report.

(e) (1) The department shall receive, review, and, based on its determination of the county CalWORKs system improvement plan meeting the required elements identified in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (d), certify as complete all county-submitted performance indicator data, county CalWORKs self-assessments, county CalWORKS system improvement plans, and annual progress reports, and shall identify and promote the replication of best practices in CalWORKs service delivery to achieve the established process and outcome measures.

(2) The department shall monitor, on an ongoing basis, county performance on the measures developed pursuant to subdivision (d).

(3) The department shall make data collected pursuant to this section publicly available on its internet website.

(4) The department shall, on an annual basis, submit a report to the Legislature that summarizes county performance on the established process and outcome measures during the reporting period, analyzes county performance trends over time, and makes findings and recommendations for common CalWORKs services improvements identified in the county CalWORKs self-assessments and county CalWORKs system improvement plans, including information on common statutory, regulatory, or fiscal barriers identified as inhibiting system improvements and any recommendations to overcome those barriers.

(5) (A) The department shall facilitate the provision of, and provide as appropriate, technical assistance to county human services agencies as part of the peer review that supports the county’s selected areas for improvement as described in its system improvement plan.

(B) If, in the course of its review of county CalWORKs system improvement plans and annual updates, or, in the course of its review of regularly submitted performance indicator data, the department determines that a county is consistently failing to make progress toward its strategic focus areas for improvement or is consistently failing to meet the process measure standard target thresholds established pursuant to subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (d), the department shall engage the county in a process of targeted technical assistance and support to address and resolve the identified shortcomings. If, after the assistance is provided, the county continues in its failure to meet its goals or performance thresholds, the department may engage in corrective action with the county.

(f) A county shall execute and fulfill components of its CalWORKs system improvement plan that can be accomplished with existing resources.

(g) A county shall not be required to execute and fulfill any components of its CalWORKs system improvement plan that creates new county costs, unless funding for those costs are appropriated in the annual Budget Act.

(h) The implementation of the Cal-OAR continuous quality improvement components, including county self-assessments, system improvement plans, peer reviews, progress reports, and data validation shall be optional to counties during the 2020–21 fiscal year.

(i) Beginning in the 2019–20 fiscal year, and for each fiscal year thereafter, no more than two million dollars ($2,000,000) from the General Fund shall be appropriated in the annual Budget Act to counties to complete the requirements described in subdivision (c).

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2020, Ch. 11, Sec. 67. (AB 79) Effective June 29, 2020.)


text:
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(a) It is the intent of the Legislature to make the CalWORKs program the most effective family antipoverty program in the country. California continues to be a national leader in total caseload, provision of cash assistance, welfare-to-work services, and assistance for children. California is a national leader in improving the quality of life for CalWORKs families, including the elimination of the “maximum family grant rule,” as described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 11450.025, and the commitment to ending deep poverty among all CalWORKs families.

(b) Beginning in the 2019–20 fiscal year and continuing through the 2023–24 fiscal year, California embarks on the first cycle of a new CalWORKs innovation, the CalWORKs Outcome and Accountability Review (Cal-OAR) system. Cal-OAR establishes a local, data-driven program management system that facilitates continuous improvement of county CalWORKs programs by collecting, analyzing, and disseminating outcomes and best practices. This system will help achieve the state’s goals of ensuring that CalWORKs families receive the best possible services and supports to improve their lives and will also help the state meet federal work participation rates by emphasizing quality and engagement.

(c) At the same time, county human services agencies are transforming the welfare-to-work process away from a compliance-oriented and work-first model into a modern, science-based, and goal-oriented welfare-to-work model known locally as CalWORKs 2.0. The success of this approach depends on a culture shift away from compliance-oriented, directive case management and toward supportive and responsive interactions between the case manager and the customer. Case management emphasizes coaching that allows clients to naturally develop accountability by setting and achieving their goals. Case managers in CalWORKs 2.0 have a framework to provide customers a trajectory from stability, to upskilling, to employment.

(d) Cal-OAR and the county CalWORKs 2.0 initiative are bold steps toward a better CalWORKs program, yet state law has not been updated to be consistent with the new approaches.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2020, Ch. 11, Sec. 69. (AB 79) Effective June 29, 2020.)


text:
(a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(1) The Legislature has taken numerous steps in recent years to improve the CalWORKs program for the families who rely on it. These changes have moved California towards a more modern and compassionate approach to alleviating family poverty, and are grounded in awareness of the social determinants of health, adverse childhood experiences, and the neurotoxicity and trauma of intergenerational poverty.

(2) County human services departments have led a redesign of the welfare-to-work program, known as CalWORKs 2.0, over the past five years. CalWORKs 2.0 is based on input gathered from program participants, employment services staff, and other stakeholders, as well as recent behavioral science research. The redesigned approach to welfare-to-work engagement focuses on mutual engagement between county staff and clients, that helps families set and achieve personalized goals directly relevant to their lives. This approach requires more individualized case management, tailored to families’ and individuals’ needs and strengths.

(3) The Legislature adopted a new CalWORKs Outcome and Accountability Review (Cal-OAR) system in 2017. Cal-OAR establishes a locally focused, data-driven program management system that facilitates continuous improvement of county CalWORKs programs by collecting, analyzing, and disseminating outcomes and best practices. Cal-OAR has the potential to transform the CalWORKs program from one which focuses on work participation as the primary measure of success to one which measures a wide variety of real-life, participant-centered outcomes.

(4) The COVID-19 pandemic and the disproportionate health and economic impacts of the pandemic on low-income persons, exacerbated within communities of color, make it even more clear how urgent and necessary implementation of CalWORKs 2.0 and Cal-OAR principles are in helping impoverished families and people of color, who are disproportionately represented in the program.

(5) Cal-OAR implementation efforts were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the state is now entering a phase that will allow reengagement in employment services activities as well as a renewed focus on the CalWORKs 2.0 and Cal-OAR structures.

(b) It is the intent of the Legislature that all of the following are accomplished:

(1) To restart robust conversations around CalWORKs 2.0 and Cal-OAR and set an implementation timeline, including consideration of recommendations made in February 2020 by a legislatively mandated Cal-OAR workgroup. This effort should include development of training and resources for county CalWORKs staff in order to implement the necessary culture change within CalWORKs.

(2) To assist counties in developing and implementing training and resources for county CalWORKs staff, to reflect the racial, ethnic and cultural diversity of our families and communities in California and to promote equity and inclusion in CalWORKs policy and practice. Understanding and building on the steps counties have already taken in this regard is important to further building on that work statewide.

(3) To further the implementation of CalWORKs 2.0 and Cal-OAR statewide, it is the intent of the Legislature that the following steps will occur:

(A) Funding for intensive case management.

(B) Development of resources and training to assist counties in implementing program changes.

(C) Development of trauma-informed, anti-racist, and anti-stigma training for CalWORKs staff geared towards child and family well-being.

(c) It is the intent of the Legislature to consider approaches to the state’s management of the federal work participation rate to diminish its negating effects on the intentional culture and program shift for the CalWORKs program.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2021, Ch. 85, Sec. 42. (AB 135) Effective July 16, 2021.)


text:
(a) The State Department of Social Services shall convene and facilitate a Cal-OAR implementation steering committee (steering committee) no later than November 1, 2021. The steering committee shall make recommendations to the Legislature on how to implement Cal-OAR and CalWORKs 2.0 principles and practices statewide, and prioritize recommendations made by the Cal-OAR stakeholder group, by April 1, 2022. As part of the recommendations required pursuant to this subdivision, the steering committee shall provide its recommendations, including any recommendations for statutory amendments, and the reasons for these recommendations.

(b) The Cal-OAR implementation steering committee shall consist of representatives from the following organizations and stakeholders:

(1) The State Department of Social Services.

(2) The County Welfare Directors Association and its member county human services agencies.

(3) The exclusive representative of county CalWORKs staff.

(4) The Western Center on Law and Poverty.

(5) Parent Voices.

(6) Legislative staff.

(c) The steering committee may consult with other individuals, organizations, and entities as deemed appropriate for the purposes of implementing CalWORKs 2.0 and Cal-OAR.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2021, Ch. 85, Sec. 43. (AB 135) Effective July 16, 2021.)


text:
(a) Subject to an appropriation of funds for this purpose in the annual Budget Act, the State Department of Social Services shall contract for the development of training for county CalWORKs staff. The department shall enter into one or more contracts to develop this training no later than July 1, 2022.

(b) The department shall consult with the County Welfare Directors Association of California, the exclusive representatives of county eligibility workers, client advocates, and other stakeholders, as deemed appropriate, in the development of this training. In developing the training, the department shall consider and draw upon, as appropriate, training and other materials already developed or in use by county human services agencies.

(c) The training required pursuant to subdivision (a) shall focus on all of the following:

(1) Resources to assist counties in implementing CalWORKs 2.0 and Cal-OAR and embedding these approaches into the program.

(2) Incorporating and building upon principles from CalWORKs 2.0, and relevant data from the Cal-OAR efforts, taking into account work counties have already accomplished in both areas of training focus.

(3) Acknowledging and addressing the intentional shift to a trauma-informed, anti-racist, anti-stigma, and implicit bias-aware culture and climate in the program, geared towards positive outcomes for child and family health and well-being.

(4) The impact of implicit bias, explicit bias, and systemic bias on public benefit programs and the effect this can have on individuals seeking eligibility for and services through public benefit programs.

(5) Actionable steps individuals can take to recognize and address their own implicit biases.

(d) The department shall work with the stakeholders listed in subdivision (b) to develop a plan for disseminating and delivering the training required pursuant to subdivision (a). This plan shall be shared with the Legislature no later than December 1, 2022. The plan shall include all of the following:

(1) The types and classifications of county staff who are to be trained and in what order the training of those staff should be prioritized.

(2) The entity or entities responsible for providing the training to counties, including consideration of providing direct training as well as train-the-trainer modes of training.

(3) The cost of providing the developed training to all identified staff in paragraph (1) in all counties.

(4) The proposed timeline for rolling out and implementing training in all counties.

(e) (1) Notwithstanding any other law, contracts established pursuant to this section shall be exempt from the personal services contracting requirements of Article 4 (commencing with Section 19130) of Chapter 5 of Part 2 of Division 5 of Title 2 of the Government Code, from the Public Contract Code and the State Contracting Manual, and shall not be subject to the approval of the Department of General Services, including provisions pursuant to Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 14825) of Part 5.5. of Division 3 of the Title 2 of the Government Code.

(2) Notwithstanding Section 11546 of the Government Code, contracts established pursuant to this section are exempt from review or approval of any division of the Department of Technology, upon approval from the Department of Finance.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2021, Ch. 85, Sec. 44. (AB 135) Effective July 16, 2021.)


text: Payments, as determined by the State Department of Social Services, made to individuals serving either as individual participants or as a participant on an advisory group created by the State Department of Social Services, or the California Health and Human Services Agency, or through a user testing exercise through a contractor, for the purposes of this article shall not be taken into account as income or resources for purposes of determining the eligibility of that individual, or any other individual, for benefits or assistance, or the amount or extent of benefits or assistance, under any state or local program.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2021, Ch. 85, Sec. 45. (AB 135) Effective July 16, 2021.)


text:
(a) The department shall establish procedures to provide timely access to information on CalWORKs families to counties and researchers in a manner that maintains confidentiality of data while making it possible to undertake ongoing monitoring, research, and evaluation.

(b) (1) The department, with the cooperation of the University of California, shall establish a project to link longitudinal administrative data on individuals and families who are receiving benefits under the CalWORKs program, or have received benefits under the program within the last 10 years.

(2) All data shall be made available to a university center with the capability of linking it with other appropriate data to allow for ongoing assessment of program impact.

(3) The department shall ensure that information identifiable to individuals and families is removed so as to maintain strict confidentiality.

(4) The State Department of Health Services, the Employment Development Department, the Franchise Tax Board, the State Department of Education, and any other state or local governmental agency that collects information on aided families shall provide the department with the necessary data, if legally available.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1997, Ch. 270, Sec. 159. Effective August 11, 1997. Operative January 1, 1998, by Sec. 183 of Ch. 270.)

path: 9. PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES > 2. California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids Act > 9.5. Interagency Data Development and Use


text:
(a) The Legislature hereby requests the Regents of the University of California to establish and administer a program or programs to support welfare research and evaluation of the CalWORKs program.

(b) It is the intent of the Legislature that the program or programs established by the University of California:

(1) Establish a sponsored grants program to provide funding for interested researchers to undertake studies on important welfare-related issues. These grants shall be applied only to research projects requested by representatives of state and local government entities.

(2) Establish one or more Bureau of the Census secure data sites to link census and administrative data bases for ongoing research purposes.

(3) Use existing data archives to develop data sets appropriate for monitoring and evaluating the impacts of CalWORKs program implementation in California.

(4) Create and maintain public use data sets and make data available to researchers and members of the public to support welfare research and related human services research.

(5) Provide an ongoing capacity for supporting, conducting, and disseminating welfare policy research.

(6) Produce and maintain lists of researchers working with California welfare data or conducting research on public assistance in California.

(7) Review, edit, publish, and disseminate research and evaluation reports to state and local policymakers.

(8) Provide forums for the presentation of research findings and the discussion of research on welfare.

(9) Provide a location for welfare data archives and monitor ongoing funding for their upkeep.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1997, Ch. 270, Sec. 160. Effective August 11, 1997. Operative January 1, 1998, by Sec. 183 of Ch. 270.)

article: 9.7. Role of the University

path: 9. PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES > 2. California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids Act > 9.7. Role of the University


text: The department shall enter into an interagency agreement with the University of California for the purpose of implementing Section 11526. The interagency agreement shall be subject to funds appropriated for its purpose by the Legislature.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1997, Ch. 606, Sec. 24.5. Effective October 3, 1997.)

article: 9.7. Role of the University


text: This chapter shall be known and may be cited as The Burton-Moscone-Bagley Citizens’ Income Security Act for Aged, Blind and Disabled Californians.

history: (History: Repealed and added by Stats. 1973, Ch. 1216.)

article: 1. General Provisions

path: 9. PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES > 3. State Supplementary Program for Aged, Blind and Disabled > 1. General Provisions


text: It is the intent of this chapter to implement a state supplementation program pursuant to Title XVI of the Social Security Act and a program for state services to the aged, blind or disabled.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1992, Ch. 722, Sec. 43. Effective September 15, 1992.)

chapter: 3. State Supplementary Program for Aged, Blind and Disabled

article: 1. General Provisions


text: It is the object and purpose of this chapter to provide persons whose need results from age, blindness or disability with assistance and services which will encourage them to make greater efforts to achieve self-care and self-maintenance, whenever feasible, and to enlarge their opportunities for independence.

article: 1. General Provisions


text:
For the purposes of this chapter, neither the residence nor domicile of the spouse shall be deemed the residence or domicile of the other, but each may have a separate residence or domicile dependent upon proof of the fact and not on legal presumption.

For the purposes of this chapter, a minor child shall be deemed to have resided in the state during any period in which such child has been physically present in the state.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 50, Sec. 122. (SB 1005) Effective January 1, 2017.)

article: 1. General Provisions


text: The provisions of this chapter shall be liberally construed in favor of aged, blind and disabled recipients.

article: 1. General Provisions


text:
For the purposes of this chapter:

(a) The term “aged, blind or disabled individual” means an individual who is 65 years or older, or is blind, or is disabled.

(b) “Aged” means an individual who is 65 years of age or older.

(c) An individual shall be considered “blind” as defined in Section 1614 of Part A of Title XVI of the Social Security Act.

(d) An individual shall be considered disabled as defined in Section 1614(a) of Part A of Title XVI of the Social Security Act.

article: 2. Definitions

path: 9. PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES > 3. State Supplementary Program for Aged, Blind and Disabled > 2. Definitions


text: “Income” means both earned and unearned income as defined on October 30, 1972 in Part A of Title XVI of the Social Security Act, except as otherwise specifically provided.

article: 2. Definitions


text: “Resources” means resources as defined on October 30, 1972 in Part A of Title XVI of the Social Security Act, except as otherwise specifically provided.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1973, Ch. 1216.)

article: 2. Definitions


text: An applicant’s share of his spouse’s community property income is defined as the income which is community property subject to the direction and control of the applicant, except for the earnings of his or her spouse.

article: 2. Definitions


text: “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1982, Ch. 978, Sec. 30. Effective September 13, 1982.)

article: 2. Definitions


text:
The department shall enter into an agreement with the secretary providing for administration by the secretary of the provisions of this chapter. The agreement shall provide at least the following:

(a) That the secretary shall, on behalf of the state, make supplementary payments to an applicant or recipient under this chapter at such times and in such installments as may be agreed upon.

(b) That the state shall pay to the secretary an amount equal to expenditures made by the secretary as such supplemental payments less amounts payable by the federal government pursuant to Section 401 of Title IV of the Social Security Act Amendments of 1972.

(c) That the department may enter into an agreement to administer on behalf of the secretary and at the secretary’s expense all or such parts of the program under Title XVI of the Social Security Act during such portion of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975, as may be provided in the agreement. In the event of such agreement, the department shall supervise the counties’ administration of all or such parts of the program under such agreement.

(d) The application of such procedural and other general provisions as are necessary and proper to achieve efficient and effective administration of the provisions of Title XVI of the Social Security Act and of this chapter, including a provision authorizing the secretary to conduct fair hearings in accordance with rules promulgated by him in cases concerning aid under this chapter.

(e) That the checks issued by the secretary containing the state supplemental payment shall clearly indicate by a separate notice accompanying the check or on the face of the check the fact that state funds are a part of the payment or the amount of check representing state funds.

(f) That to the extent permitted by law, the state shall audit the expenditures made by the secretary under such an agreement.

(g) That the state exercises its option to increase the payment level under Section 401(b)(1) of Title IV of the Social Security Act Amendments of 1972 by an amount equal to the sum of (A) and (B) of Section 401(b)(1) of that title.

article: 3. Administration

path: 9. PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES > 3. State Supplementary Program for Aged, Blind and Disabled > 3. Administration


text: The department shall seek to enter into an agreement with the secretary for the purpose of administration by the secretary of the amount set forth in subdivision (h) of Section 12200.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1984, Ch. 1621, Sec. 1. Conditionally operative as prescribed by Sec. 3 of Ch. 1621.)

article: 3. Administration


text: No applicant for or recipient of aid under this chapter shall be required to pay any part of the cost of a medical examination to determine blindness or disability as required by the department in connection with his application for or continued receipt of aid under this chapter.

article: 3. Administration


text: Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, no agreement entered into for state administration of the state supplementary payment program on behalf of the secretary or as agent of the federal government or otherwise, shall provide for any difference in administration of or eligibility for the state supplementary program than if such program were directly administered by the secretary pursuant to this chapter.

article: 3. Administration


text: No authority is given under this chapter or Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 12500) or Chapter 6.5 (commencing with Section 13900) for any agreement with the secretary or any rules and regulations of the department which contain any provision requiring any form of liens or estate recovery, period of residency or citizenship for recipients under such chapters and no such liens or estate recovery, period of residency or citizenship for such recipients shall be imposed.

article: 3. Administration


text: Notwithstanding any other law, upon the order of the Director of Finance, the Director of Social Services shall defer all supplemental payments to the federal government required pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 12100 in February 2010 and March 2010 and, instead, make payments for those months after April 20, 2010, but no later than May 31, 2010.

history: (History: Amended (as added by Stats. 2009, Ch. 633, Sec. 5) by Stats. 2015, Ch. 303, Sec. 597. (AB 731) Effective January 1, 2016.)

article: 3. Administration


text:
(a) The State Department of Social Services shall submit a report to the Legislature that includes recommendations on the administration of the State Supplementary Program for the Aged, Blind and Disabled to the Legislature no later than January 1, 2024. The recommendations shall include, but are not limited to, all of the following:

(1) Recommendations on whether the administration of the program should be shifted to the department.

(2) Anticipated impacts to the program if the state contracts with the government of another state or commonwealth of the United States for the administration of the program, or if the program is administered by the department.

(3) Potential efficiencies of savings or costs, if any, that might accrue to the state if a government of another state or commonwealth of the United States or the department administers the program.

(b) (1) A report to be submitted pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.

(2) Pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, this section is repealed on January 1, 2028.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 259, Sec. 1. (SB 973) Effective January 1, 2023. Repealed as of January 1, 2028, by its own provisions.)

article: 3. Administration


text: Persons who are receiving federal supplemental security income benefits, or who but for their income, are eligible to receive such benefits under Title XVI of the Social Security Act, or who are made eligible for supplemental benefits by other provisions of this chapter are entitled to receive state supplementation pursuant to this chapter.

article: 4. Eligibility

path: 9. PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES > 3. State Supplementary Program for Aged, Blind and Disabled > 4. Eligibility


text:
In determining eligibility of any individual for the state supplementary payment administered by the federal government, in addition to any other income or resources disregarded by the secretary, the following additional amounts of income or resources of the individual shall be disregarded:

(a) Funds for readers, or educational scholarships, or both, which are not available to meet basic needs and which have been awarded by a high school, college, or university or a vocational or technical training institution to any recipient of aid to the aged, blind or disabled under this chapter due to his or her blindness while he or she is regularly attending any public school in this state, the University of California, or any other institution of higher learning in this state, shall not be deemed property, income, or resource of the recipient for any purpose and no deduction therefor shall be made from the recipient’s amount of aid.

(b) The value and the occupancy value of the home owned by the aged, blind or disabled individual or in combination with any other person if it serves to provide him or her with a home. In the event that this subdivision is in conflict with federal regulations pertaining to the value of such home, federal law shall supersede this subdivision with the respect to the value of such home. Persons who would otherwise be eligible under this chapter except for the value of their home, shall nevertheless be entitled to grants under this chapter at the same level as are established for persons whose home is within the federal home value limits. Payments for such persons shall, if federal law permits, be administered by the secretary. If federal law does not so permit, such grants shall be paid by the counties, and the costs, including administrative costs, shall be deducted from the individual county’s contribution required under Section 12400.

(c) Additional payments made from any source to a vendor in order to meet the needs of recipients as determined by the county welfare department.

(d) Any other exclusions provided for in Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 12500) and Chapter 6.5 (commencing with Section 13900).

(e) The value of the following items in the aggregate except that any amount paid in excess of one thousand eight hundred dollars ($1,800) or the dollar limit imposed by federal law, whichever is lower, shall not be disregarded:

(1) Money or securities placed in an irrevocable trust for funeral, cremation, or interment expenses with any of the trustees mentioned in Section 7736 of the Business and Professions Code or Section 8775 of the Health and Safety Code.

(2) Money or securities placed in an irrevocable trust created by a deposit in an insured savings institution made by one person of his or her own money in his or her own name as trustee for a funeral director to provide payment for funeral services rendered the funeral director upon the depositor’s death.

(3) Life or burial insurance purchased specifically for funeral, cremation, or interment expense, which is placed in an irrevocable trust or which has no loan or surrender value available to the recipient.

(4) Securities issued by a licensed cemetery authority which by their terms are convertible into payment for funeral, cremation, or interment expenses.

(f) Interment plots as defined in Section 7022 of the Health and Safety Code.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1982, Ch. 1520, Sec. 4. Effective September 30, 1982.)

article: 4. Eligibility


text: To the extent permitted by federal law, any recipient who meets the eligibility criteria of more than one classification of recipient described under this chapter as aged, blind or disabled, shall be permitted to select his classification of coverage.

article: 4. Eligibility


text: In determining, for purposes of this chapter, whether an individual is blind, there shall be an examination of such individual by a physician skilled in the diseases of the eye or by an optometrist, whichever the individual may select in accordance with applicable federal law.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1974, Ch. 1141.)

article: 4. Eligibility


text:
An aged, blind or disabled applicant or recipient shall be paid an amount of aid which when added to his or her federal benefit received under Part A of Title XVI of the Social Security Act and other nonexempt income and resources, equals the following:

(a) For a blind applicant or recipient, the sum of seven hundred four dollars ($704) per month and for a married couple both qualifying for benefits under this chapter as blind, the sum of one thousand three hundred seventy-two dollars ($1,372) per month.

(b) For a married couple, both qualifying for benefits under this chapter, and one of whom is blind, the sum of one thousand two hundred ninety-five dollars ($1,295) per month.

(c) For an aged or disabled applicant or recipient, the sum of six hundred thirty dollars ($630) per month.

(d) For a married couple both qualifying for benefits under this chapter as aged or disabled, the sum of one thousand one hundred sixty-seven dollars ($1,167) per month.

(e) For an aged or disabled applicant or recipient under subdivision (c) or for a married couple under subdivision (d) whose living arrangement prevents preparation of his or her or their meals at home shall be entitled to an allowance of sixty-eight dollars ($68) per month for an individual and one hundred thirty-six dollars ($136) per month for a married couple in addition to any other amount he or she is entitled to under this chapter.

(f) For a disabled minor under 18 living with a parent or guardian or relative by blood or marriage, the sum of four hundred ninety-nine dollars ($499) per month.

(g) For a recipient in a nonmedical out-of-home care facility, the sum of seven hundred nine dollars ($709) per month.

(h) For the personal and incidental needs of a person receiving care in a medical facility under the Medi-Cal Act, the sum of thirty dollars ($30) per month. The department shall issue, or arrange for the issuance from the appropriate state agency of, an additional twelve dollars ($12) each month to each recipient to whom this subdivision applies.

(i) In the case of any individual, or couple, whose federal benefit received under Part A of Title XVI of the Social Security Act is reduced in accordance with Section 1612(a)(2)(A) of Public Law 92-603 because he lives in another person’s household and receives support and maintenance-in-kind from such person, the appropriate grant level set forth in subdivision (a), (b), (c), or (d) of this section shall be reduced by the amount of the reduction in the federal benefit, subject to the provisions in Section 12204.

This subdivision shall be operative only during such time that such in-kind support and maintenance, under federal law, is treated as providing the basis for a lower payment standard rather than being treated as the receipt of unearned income.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1991, Ch. 97, Sec. 14. Effective June 30, 1991. Operative July 1, 1991, by Sec. 30 of Ch. 97.)

article: 5. Payment of Aid

path: 9. PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES > 3. State Supplementary Program for Aged, Blind and Disabled > 5. Payment of Aid


text:
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, commencing November 1, 1992, the payments schedules set forth in Section 12200 in effect on June 30, 1992, except subdivisions (e), (g), and (h) shall be reduced by 5.8 percent.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), in no event shall the combined amount of the federal Supplementary Security Income payment and the state Supplementary State Program payment level for any applicant or recipient be reduced below the level required by the federal Social Security Act in order to maintain eligibility for federal funding under Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act (Subchapter 19 (commencing with Section 1396) of Chapter 7 of Title 42 of the United States Code).

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 206, Sec. 16. Effective July 22, 1996.)

article: 5. Payment of Aid


text:
(a) Notwithstanding any other law, and except as provided in subdivision (b), on the first day of the month following 90 days after enactment of the act that adds this section:

(1) The maximum aid payment for a married couple, in accordance with Section 12200, shall be reduced to equal the minimum amount required by the federal Social Security Act in order to maintain eligibility for federal funding under Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act, contained in Subchapter 19 (commencing with Section 1396) of Chapter 7 of Title 42 of the United States Code.

(2) (A) The maximum aid payment under this article for an individual, in accordance with Section 12200, shall be reduced by 0.6 percent.

(B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), in no event shall payments under this paragraph be reduced below the level required by the federal Social Security Act in order to maintain eligibility for federal funding under Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act, contained in Subchapter 19 (commencing with Section 1396) of Chapter 7 of Title 42 of the United States Code.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the reductions required by this section shall not apply to payments made pursuant to subdivisions (e), (g), and (h) of Section 12200.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2009, 4th Ex. Sess., Ch. 4, Sec. 25. Effective July 28, 2009.)

article: 5. Payment of Aid


text:
(a) Notwithstanding any other law, and subject to subdivision (b), on the first day of the first month following 90 days after the effective date of the act that adds this section, the maximum aid payment for an individual, as specified in Section 12200, except subdivisions (e), (g), and (h) of that section, shall be reduced to equal the minimum amount required by the federal Social Security Act in order to maintain eligibility for federal funding under Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act, contained in Subchapter 19 (commencing with Section 1396) of Chapter 7 of Title 42 of the United States Code.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), in no event shall the payment schedules be reduced below the level of the state’s March 1983 payment standards, as adjusted by the federal Social Security Administration, pursuant to Section 416.2096(b) of Title 20 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 32, Sec. 59. (AB 106) Effective June 29, 2011.)

article: 5. Payment of Aid


text:
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the maximum aid payments in effect on June 30, 1993, in accordance with Section 12200, as reduced by subdivision (a) of Section 12200.01, except subdivisions (e), (g), and (h) of Section 12200, shall be reduced by 2.7 percent beginning the first of the month following 60 days after the enactment of this section.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), in no event shall the payment schedules be reduced below the level required by the federal Social Security Act in order to maintain eligibility for federal funding under Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act, contained in Subchapter 19 (commencing with Section 1396) of Chapter 7 of Title 42 of the United States Code.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 206, Sec. 17. Effective July 22, 1996.)

article: 5. Payment of Aid


text:
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the maximum aid payments in effect on June 30, 1994, in accordance with Section 12200, as reduced by subdivision (a) of Section 12200.01 and Section 12200.015, except subdivisions (e), (g), and (h) of Section 12200, shall be reduced by 2.3 percent effective September 1, 1994.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), in no event shall any maximum aid payment schedule in any payment category established pursuant to Section 12200 be reduced below the level required by the federal Social Security Act in order to maintain eligibility for federal funding under Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act, contained in Subchapter 19 (commencing with Section 1396) of Chapter 7 of Title 42 of the United States Code.

(c) In no event shall the reduction of any maximum aid payment level pursuant to this section result in a change in share of cost or eligibility for services under Article 7 (commencing with Section 12300) for any aged, blind, or disabled person who was receiving services under that article in 1994 prior to the enactment of this section because of that reduction in maximum aid payment, provided he or she continues to meet other applicable requirements.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 206, Sec. 18. Effective July 22, 1996.)

article: 5. Payment of Aid


text:
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the maximum aid payments in effect on January 1, 2009, in accordance with Article 5 of Chapter 3 of Division 9, except payments made pursuant to subdivisions (e), (g), and (h) of Section 12200, shall be reduced to the payment levels in effect on December 1, 2008, and shall be further reduced by 2.3 percent.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), in no event shall the payment schedules be reduced below the level required by the federal Social Security Act in order to maintain eligibility for federal funding under Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act, contained in Subchapter 19 (commencing with Section 1396) of Chapter 7 of Title 42 of the United States Code.

(c) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2009.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2009, 3rd Ex. Sess., Ch. 13, Sec. 6. Effective February 20, 2009. Section operative July 1, 2009, by its own provisions. Note: The addition of this section was not terminated by Sec. 11 of Ch. 13 because the conditions failed.)

article: 5. Payment of Aid


text:
(a) Except as provided in subdivision (d), the payment schedules set forth in Section 12200 shall be adjusted annually to reflect any increases or decreases in the cost of living. Except as provided in subdivision (e), (f), or (g), these adjustments shall become effective January 1 of each year. The cost-of-living adjustment shall be based on the changes in the California Necessities Index, which as used in this section shall be the weighted average of changes for food, clothing, fuel, utilities, rent, and transportation for low-income consumers. The computation of annual adjustments in the California Necessities Index shall be made in accordance with the following steps:

(1) The base period expenditure amounts for each expenditure category within the California Necessities Index used to compute the annual grant adjustment are:Food$ 3,027Clothing (apparel and upkeep)406Fuel and other utilities529Rent, residential4,883Transportation1,757Total$10,602(2) Based on the appropriate components of the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, as published by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, the percentage change shall be determined for the 12-month period which ends 12 months prior to the January in which the cost-of-living adjustment will take effect, for each expenditure category specified in paragraph (1) within the following geographical areas: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, San Francisco-Oakland, San Diego, and, to the extent statistically valid information is available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, additional geographical areas within the state which include not less than 80 percent of recipients of aid under this chapter.

(3) Calculate a weighted percentage change for each of the expenditure categories specified in paragraph (1) using the applicable weighting factors for each area used by the Department of Industrial Relations to calculate the California Consumer Price Index (CCPI).

(4) Calculate a category adjustment factor for each expenditure category in paragraph (1) by (1) adding 100 to the applicable weighted percentage change as determined in paragraph (2) and (2) dividing the sum by 100.

(5) Determine the expenditure amounts for the current year by multiplying each expenditure amount determined for the prior year by the applicable category adjustment factor determined in paragraph (4).

(6) Determine the overall adjustment factor by dividing (1) the sum of the expenditure amounts as determined in paragraph (4) for the current year by (2) the sum of the expenditure amounts as determined in paragraph (4) for the prior year.

(b) The overall adjustment factor determined by the preceding computational steps shall be multiplied by the payment schedules established pursuant to Section 12200 as are in effect during the month of December preceding the calendar year in which the adjustments are to occur, and the product rounded to the nearest dollar. The resultant amounts shall constitute the new schedules for the categories given under subdivisions (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), and (g) of Section 12200, and shall be filed with the Secretary of State. The amount as set forth in subdivision (h) of Section 12200 shall be adjusted annually pursuant to this section in the event that the secretary agrees to administer payment under that subdivision. The payment schedule for subdivision (i) of Section 12200 shall be computed as specified, based on the new payment schedules for subdivisions (a), (b), (c), and (d) of Section 12200.

(c) The department shall adjust any amounts of aid under this chapter to ensure that the minimum level required by the Social Security Act in order to maintain eligibility for funds under Title XIX of that act is met.

(d) (1) No adjustment shall be made under this section for the 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010 calendar years to reflect any change in the cost of living. Elimination of the cost-of-living adjustment pursuant to this paragraph shall satisfy the requirements of Section 12201.05, and no further reduction shall be made pursuant to that section.

(2) Any cost-of-living adjustment granted under this section for any calendar year shall not include adjustments for any calendar year in which the cost-of-living adjustment was suspended pursuant to paragraph (1).

(e) For the 2003 calendar year, the adjustment required by this section shall become effective June 1, 2003.

(f) For the 2005 calendar year, the adjustment required by this section shall become effective April 1, 2005.

(g) (1) For the 2011 calendar year and each calendar year thereafter, no adjustment shall be made under this section unless otherwise specified by statute.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the pass along of federal benefits provided for in Section 12201.05 shall be effective on January 1 of each calendar year.

(h) (1) On or before January 10, 2025, and annually thereafter, the department shall provide a display in writing, in the department’s Local Assistance Estimates Binder, and on the department’s internet website.

(2) The display shall show both of the following:

(A) The Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment grant amount for individuals compared to the most updated fair market rent amounts for a studio apartment in each of the 58 counties.

(B) The amount remaining after paying rent and indicate the fair market rent as a percentage of the grant for each county.

(3) The department shall update the display at the annual May Revision.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 46, Sec. 41. (AB 161) Effective July 2, 2024.)

article: 5. Payment of Aid


text:
(a) Commencing July 1, 2022, and each year thereafter, the payment schedules set forth in Section 12200 shall be adjusted annually to reflect any increases or decreases in the cost of living, and these adjustments shall become effective January 1 of each year. The annual cost-of-living adjustment shall be based on the increase in the California Necessities Index for the year in which the adjustment becomes effective.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), unless otherwise specified in the annual Budget Act, the cost-of-living adjustment pursuant to subdivision (a), commencing on or after July 1, 2022, and for each year thereafter, shall be 0 percent.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2018, Ch. 35, Sec. 31. (AB 1811) Effective June 27, 2018.)

article: 5. Payment of Aid