DPSS ePolicy

To convert existing policy to new writing style only - No concept changes

California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs)/Greater Avenues for Independence (GAIN) participants identified as homeless or at-risk of homelessness are expedited into the GAIN Program. They receive intensive GAIN services along with intensive homeless case management services by CalWORKs.

The participant’s CalWORKs Hourly Participation requirements must be re-evaluated to meet the 20/30/35 hours per week. The participant’s CalWORKs 60-Month Time Clock (MTC) must also be reviewed and they must be notified of the number of months left on their 60-MTC.

N/A

Homeless

A CalWORKs family is considered homeless when:

• It lacks a fixed and regular nighttime residence;
• It shares a residence with family and friends on a temporary basis;
• It has a primary nighttime residence which consists of a supervised publicly or privately operated shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations;
• It resides in a public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings;
• It has a need for housing in a commercial establishment, shelter, publicly funded transitional housing or from a person in the business of renting properties; and
• A Domestic Violence (DV) applicant who is fleeing from the abuser even if the applicant has not yet spent a night homeless. 

At-Risk of Homelessness

A CalWORKs family is at-risk of homelessness if the family:

• Received a notice to pay rent or a notice of pending eviction caused by a financial hardship due to circumstances out of the family's control (excludes evictions due to lease/contact violations); or
• Is experiencing a valid financial hardship that could render the family homeless if benefits are not provided. 

Homeless Case Manager (HCM)

A GSW assigned to a CalWORKs District Office to assess/case manage homeless and at-risk of homelessness families applying for/or already receiving CalWORKs.

Homeless Supportive Services (HSS) GSW/CCM

The HSS GSW is part of the Specialized Supportive Services (SSS) unit in the GAIN Regional offices and/or collocated at the Family Solution Centers (FSC). The HSS GSW/CCM works closely with the HCM to provide intensive case management to participants who request the Homeless Case Management Program services until their housing situation is stable. In addition, the HSS GSW collocated at the FSC communicates and works with the FSC staff (including the collocated FSC, Department of Public Health, and Department of Mental Health staff). 

Note: SSS Refuge Case Managers (RCMs) in Refugee Employment Program (REP) offices assist homeless REP participants and collaborate with HCMs. HSS CCMs is inclusive of SSS RCMs throughout this policy.

Upon learning the participant has secured permanent housing, contact participant to verify they are no longer homeless. 

N/A