Latest Updates
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Social Security identity verification
Effective March 31, 2025, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will require identity verification either online or in person. Individuals will be able to verify their identity in ther mySocialSecurity account. Individuals who are unable to do that will…
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CalFresh and CalWORKs electronically reported information
The California Department of Social Services has clarified requirements about how the County Welfare Departments (CWDs) will accept information for participants of CalWORKs and CalFresh electronically. Electronically submitted information can include reporting changes, submitting verification, and other information…
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Social Security overpayment default withholding
The Social Security Administration (SSA) will increase the default overpayment withholding rate for collection of Social Security overpayments to 100 percent of a person’s monthly benefit effective March 27, 2025. The increase will apply to overpayments of Social…
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CalWORKs case processing during disasters
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued a reminder about policy for processing CalWORKs cases for victims and evacuees of state and/or federally declared disasters. For disaster evacuees who apply for CalWORKs, if the applicant and…
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Waiver of resource and vehicle limits, and in kind benefits rule, because of Los Angeles fires
The CalWORKs and resource and vehicle limits have been waived because of the Los Angeles fires. The CalWORKs aid in kind rule, which requires counting receipt of a full item of need as income, has also been waived…
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SAR 7 and recertification waiverer because of Los Angeles fires
The requirement to submit SAR 7s or annual recertifications for CalWORKs and CalFresh has been waived for January, February and March, 2025 because of the Los Angeles wildfires. The waiver applies to designated zip codes. Recipients will need…
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Extension of CalFresh ABAWD time limit waiver
The United States Department of Agriculture has approved a two year extension of California’s waiver of the CalFresh Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) time limit waiver. The ABAWD rule limits people who are age 18 to 54,…
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CalWORKs Family Reunification benefits
Effective January 1, 2025, participants who were members of a CalWORKs family when CalWORKs-eligible children were removed from the home will remain eligible for CalWORKs cash aid, child care and reunification services when: 1) all CalWORKs-eligible children were…
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Increase in State Disability Insurance and Paid Family Leave Benefits
Effective January 1, 2025, State Disability Insurance (SDI) and Paid Family Leave (PFL) benefits increased to 90% of wages for many workers. Workers with annual wages of $1,200 to $2889.96, or $300 to $722.49 in their highest earning…
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Welfare-to-Work good cause and flexibilities because of Los Angeles wildfires
The California Department of Social Services has issued guidance regarding Welfare-to-Work participation and the Los Angeles wildfires. Los Angeles and Ventura Counties can implement county-wide blanket good cause to suspend welfare-to-work participation during the state of emergency. Welfare-to-work…