CalWORKs
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CDSS directs counties to discontinue use of promissory notes for overpayment collection
Acknowledging that inclusion of promissory notes along with CalWORKs overpayment notices of action constituted an unlawful demand in violation of its regulations (MPP Section 44-351.1), CDSS directed counties to stop sending such agreements to reimburse. Recipients may still…
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AB 1614 codifies existing practices and establishes new requirements for EBT program
CDSS has published instructions to local county welfare departments to assure compliance with recently enacted AB 1614 (2014). Its provisions codify a range of established practices in California’s EBT program, the default payment mechanism for CalFresh, CalWORKs, Refugee…
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Updated County instructions about verification of Social Security numbers and income
In July 2014, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced the availability of SSA benefit verification letters and other SSA verification processes, via its My Social Security site. CDSS has now issued updated instructions (along with a few pointed…
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Welfare to Work’s altered “flow”
Beginning in 2014, CDSS implemented AB 74, which changed the sequence of activities for CalWORKs Welfare to Work (WTW) participants provided in Welf. & Inst. Code Section 11320.1 in order to better serve individuals who face significant barriers to…
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High unemployment stops the CalWORKs clock in Indian Country
After conducting a survey on the unemployment rate of adults in federally recognized tribes, CDSS has determined which tribes experienced an unemployment rate of 50 percent or higher in 2013, providing CalWORKs and tribal TANF recipients exemptions from the…
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New CalWORKs form for self-certifying motor vehicle value
CDSS released the CW 80 in February, which is to be used by CalWORKs applicants and recipients to report the equity value of motor vehicles owned by the assistance unit. Only equity value in excess of $9,500 is…
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Income reporting threshold charts for CalWORKs
CalWORKs assistance units, under both semi-annual reporting and annual reporting (child only) rules, are only required to report certain changes between reporting deadlines. An increase in income to the income reporting threshold (IRT) is one change that must…
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Retroactive disability determinations and CalWORKs
Medical documentation of disabling conditions that render a recipient exempt from work activity under CalWORKs rules can sometimes be delayed until after recipients have been on aid for several months. Counties must provide the CalWORKs Exemption Request form…
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When time is running out on the 24-month clock in CalWORKs
Updating instructions offered in early 2014 in ACL 14-09, CDSS has provided further guidance regarding extensions of the relatively new welfare to work 24-month time clock for CalWORKs recipients in three all county letters. Recipients who still have time…
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Maximum asset limits in CalWORKs adjusted
Bringing CalFresh and CalWORKs rules into alignment, CalWORKs families can have $250 more in assets effective October 2014. The new maximum asset amount is $2,250 for most assistance units and $3,250 for assistance units that include a person who is…