DPSS ePolicy

CalWORKs/RCA participants receive their grants based on Exempt (higher) or Non-Exempt MAP. An AU receives the Exempt MAP when each parent, aided stepparent, caretaker relative, pregnant person, or adult in an RCA case receives one of the following benefits:

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)/State Supplementary Payments (SSP);
• In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS);
• State Disability Insurance (SDI);
• Temporary Workers’ Compensation (TWC); or
• Temporary Disability Indemnity (TDI).

In addition, the AU receives the Exempt MAP when it includes an unaided (non-needy) non-parent caretaker. All other participants receive the Non-Exempt MAP.

The MAP increase is considered a County-initiated mid-period action. CalWORKs/RCA participants who receive CalFresh may receive a decrease in their CalFresh allotment due to the increase in the CalWORKs/RCA grant.

Effective October 1, 2026, the CalWORKs/RCA MAP levels for Los Angeles County are:

Minimum Basic Standards of Adequate Care (MBSAC) Payment Standards

MBSAC standards remain the same as released in Administrative Release (AR) 44-212 Minimum Basic Standard of Adequate Care. MBSAC figures are normally adjusted to account for any increases or decreases in the cost of living. These figures, when adjusted, are effective in July of each year and will be released at that time.

MAP

The maximum cash aid benefits a family can receive. This amount depends on the number of persons in the AU.

Exempt MAP

The family must have an eligible child and each adult relative caretaker receives one of the following benefits: SSI/SSP, IHSS, SDI, TWC, TDI, or must be a non-needy/non-parent caretaker relative to receive the Exempt MAP.

Region 1 and Region 2 Counties

There are two levels of the MAP that are assigned to California counties known as Region 1 and Region 2. The Region is determined based on the lower or higher cost of living. Region 1 is for counties with a higher cost of living.

Region 1 includes the following counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, Marin, Monterey, Napa, Orange, San Diego, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, and Ventura.

Region 2 includes all other counties.

Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services staff should be aware of the Region 1 and Region 2 levels when processing Inter-County Transfer cases from Region 2 counties.

Informing Requirements:

TEMP 2250, State Law Changes MAP Levels for Cash Aid Recipients

The TEMP 2250 is a notification provided to applicants/participants to inform them of the change to the MAP and the potential decrease to their CalFresh benefits due to the increase of the CalWORKs/RCA benefits:

• A separate CalFresh NOA will be sent to families whose CalFresh benefits are affected.

TM44-315P, Aid Payment – Grant Increase Law Change

The TM44-315P (08/26) is a NOA that must be provided to all participant cases to inform them of the MAP level increase.

SAR 2, Reporting Changes for Cash Aid and CalFresh

The SAR 2 is a notification that must be provided to all Semi-Annual Reporting (SAR) cases every time there is a change to the Income Reporting Threshold (IRT).

SB 380, Child MAP Charts

The charts were revised to reflect the increase to the MAP levels. Refer to existing procedures outlined within AR 44-315.9 Step/Half-Siblings Receiving Child Support. Staff must use the revised charts to determine whether the participating child is still eligible for the SB 380 option, during the next Renewal (RE) or SAR 7, Semi-Annual Eligibility Status Report.

Language Access Services Policies and Procedures

DPSS provides language assistance services free of charge and without undue delay to Limited English Proficient (LEP) individuals and persons with other communication challenges including hearing loss. DPSS and its contractors are required to provide LEP customers an equal opportunity to benefit from and access to programs, benefits, services, and activities. For further details, please refer to: Language Access Services Policies and Procedures.

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