DPSS ePolicy

Revision of existing policy and/or form(s)

What changed?

Effective January 1, 2018, participants displaced due to a disaster declared by the Governor or the President of the United States are considered temporarily absent when out of the State for more than 60 days. The change is a result of Assembly Bill (AB) 607 (Chapter 501, Statutes of 2017).

Note: Changes are shown highlighted in grey throughout the document.

If an applicant or participant advises the County that they intend to maintain their California residency, but they remain out-of-state for 60 days or longer, their continued absence is sufficient evidence of their intent to reside outside of California. If a participant is out of the state for 60 days or longer, a determination should be made that they have established residency out-of-state.

To establish ongoing eligibility, the applicant/participant must verify their intent to return by demonstrating one or a combination of the following:

• Family members with whom the applicant/participant lived, currently live in California;
• The applicant/participant has continued maintenance of their California housing arrangements (owned, leased, or rented);
• The applicant/participant has employment or business interests in California; or
• Any other act or combination of acts by the applicant/participant which establishes their intent to reside in California.

When the applicant’s/participant’s intent to reside in California is supported by one or more of the criteria above, it may still be established that the participant does not have the intent to reside in California. If any of the following situations occur and are significant enough to negate the evidence that supports California residence, the CalWORKs case may be discontinued:

• The participant has purchased or leased a house out-of-state since leaving California;
• The participant has been employed out-of-state since leaving California; 
• The participant has obtained an out-of-state driver’s license since leaving California; or 
• The participant has taken other actions which indicate their intent to establish residence outside of California.

Continued absence of 60 days or longer shall not be sufficient evidence of the participant’s intent to have changed their place of residence to a place outside of California where they clearly show:

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• They have not established residence outside of California;
• Their return to California was prevented by illness or an emergency;
• They are seeking employment;
• They are taking care of an ill family member; or
• They are displaced out of the State due to a disaster declared by the Governor or the President of the United States.

These reasons constitute “Good Cause” for being absent from California for 60 days or longer. The participant is considered temporarily absent in these instances and can receive or continue receiving CalWORKs.

Note: This policy does not affect CalFresh or the automated out-of-state Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) regulation/process.

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Applicants/participants are required to provide proof/documentation to support their intent to reside in California according to program requirements.

The PA 1615, Statement of Absence, is used to request information regarding the participant’s absence, provide an appointment date, and request that the participant provide proof of current residence, which may include but is not limited to rent and utility receipts, California Identification, or school enrollment records.