DPSS ePolicy

Revision of existing policy and/or form(s)

What changed?

Instructions for processing General Relief (GR) applications for CalWORKs (CW) Eligible Participants cases have been revised as follows:

1. Effective July 1, 2022, instructions and information regarding pregnant persons have been revised as they are no longer eligible for GR.
2. Information regarding participants/applicants in Family Reunification (FR) plans have been revised.
3. References to the Leader Replacement System have been replaced with the California Statewide Automated Welfare System (CalSAWS).
4. References to Your Benefits Now have been replaced with BenefitsCal, the new statewide self-service portal.
5. References to the Electronic Document Management System (EDMS) have been replaced with CalSAWS Imaging Solution (CIS).

Note: Changes are shown highlighted in grey throughout the document

Generally, individuals along with their minor children are ineligible to receive GR benefits due to being CW eligible. There are some exceptions when individuals who qualify for CW are potentially eligible to receive GR.

CW Time-Limits

The following CW time-limited individuals are potentially eligible for GR if all other GR eligibility requirements are met:

1. A time-limited parent whose youngest child who received CW reaches 18 years of age; and
2. A time-limited caretaker relative.

Note: A CW time-limited parent with a minor child (less than 18 years old) is ineligible for GR regardless of whether the child is living in the home with the parent or not.

Effective July 1, 2022, a CW time-limited participant who is pregnant is not eligible for GR at any stage of their pregnancy.

CalWORKs Sanctions

When an applicant/participant fails to comply with CW Program requirements, the applicant/participant is ineligible to receive GR benefits.

Note: When an applicant/participant is CW sanctioned and permanently out of the CW Assistance Unit (AU), the applicant/participant is potentially eligible for GR.

Board and Care (B&C)

Any CW participant who enters a GR B&C facility is eligible for GR effective the first of the month following the month that CW was received. The participant/B&C facility is ineligible to receive GR in the month that CW was received.

Families Applying

The only families that are potentially eligible for GR are sponsored noncitizen families who are determined to be ineligible for CW because their sponsor refuses to provide support or information to assist with the CW eligibility determination process.

Minor Children

The following minors may apply for GR without an adult head of household (HH):

1. A minor who is/was legally married (emancipated); or
2.  A minor abandoned by their parents, or whose parents are deceased.

Note: Minor parents who are not married are ineligible for GR and must apply for CW.

The following minor children are ineligible for GR and must apply for CW:

1. Unborn children;
2. Minor children residing at home with their parents; or
3. Pregnant minors.

FR

A CW parent with a reunification plan must meet the following requirements to be eligible for GR:

1. If the reunification plan is due to substance abuse both of the following requirements must be met:
   1. The parent has a child placed in foster care by court order; and
   2. The parent is participating in a mandatory Substance Use Disorder Recovery Program.

The GR applicant/participant is given an Administratively Unemployable status until they complete the mandatory Substance Use Disorder Recovery Program.

2. If the reunification plan is due to any reason other than substance abuse the following requirement must be met:
   1. The parent has a child placed in foster care by court order.

Note: Effective January 1, 2025, participants under an FR plan will continue to be aided under the CW Program for six months. If FR plan is extended past the six months, the participant might be eligible for GR.

Section 17021(a) of the Welfare & Institutions Code (WIC) references the CW time-limits and GR eligibility. In addition, Section 17021(b) of the WIC references CW sanctioned individuals and GR eligibility.

BenefitsCal

A website for applicants/participants to apply for, view, and renew benefits for health coverage, food, and cash assistance. The BenefitsCal portal also allows applicants/participants to upload supporting verifications/documents online.

CW Time-Limit

The 48-month cumulative life-time limit for adult recipients of cash aid, under CW (state funded program) or any other states’ program funded by the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program. The federal time-limit for aided adults is 60 months.Refer to 42-300 Time Limit Requirements.

Refer to 42-300 Time Limit Requirements.

Caretaker Relative

A caretaker relative is defined as a person who is not the biological or adoptive parent of the child who is: 

1. Related to the applicant/eligible child within the 5th degree; and
2. Excercises responsibility for the day-to-day care and control of the child.

CW Sanctions

Participants may be sanctioned from CW for the following: 

1. Not complying with Greater Avenues for Independence (GAIN) Program requirements;
2. Being a striker (refer to 82-832 Excluded Members for the definition of a striker);
3. Refusinng to assign child support rights; and
4. Failing to provide a Social Security Number (SSN) or proof of application for a SSN.

Family

For GR purposes, a family is defined as a parent and/or spouse and minor children residing together in the same HH. Parents do not need to be married to be aided on the same case.

Minor Child

For GR purposes, a minor child is defined as an individual 17 years of age or younger. An 18-year-old residing with their parent(s) who is attending high school or trade school full-time and expects to complete schooling by their 19th birthday is considered a minor child in the GR family/HH.

Pregnant Person Only (PPO)

Effective July 1, 2022, pregnant adults aged 19 or older with no other eligible children in the home, which are known as PPO cases, are eligible for CW from the beginning of the first trimester instead of the second trimester.

Families Applying To GR

Families must explore eligibility for other public assistance programs and must first apply for CW.

Pregnant CW Time-Limited Individual WhoApplies for GR

Effective July 1, 2022, CW time-limited PPOs are no longer eligible for GR at any stage of pregnancy.

Minor Children Applying for GR

Before GR benefits are issued to a minor, a careful review of the CW eligibility must be completed. Child Protective Service (CPS)referrals are initiated as required by Office Operations 10-501.53, Referrals For Protective Services.

Language Services

Staff must take reasonable steps to ensure the applicants/participants are provided effective services in their self-declared preferred language. When an applicant/participant chooses to use their own interpreter, the PA 6181, Interpreter Services Statement and Confidentiality Agreement, must be used to:

1. Document language services requirements when applicants/participants use their own interpreter;
2. Inform applicants/participants about risks when they use Their own interpreter: interpretation accuracy, benefit errors, and loss of confidentiality; and
3. Document the applicant/participant’s interpreter confidentiality agreement. 

Eligibility staff must document the system Journal page with information about compliance with language services.

Note: Civil Rights Memo 17-01, dated March 30, 2017, discontinued the use of the PA 481, Language Designation and the PA 481 A, Interpreter.

Verification of Emancipation for Married Minors

Marriage certificate that verifies minor child is/was legally married.

Verification of Abandonment of a Minor

Applicant’s written statement on GEN 853, Sworn Statement, verifying abandonment by their parents.

Verification of Minor’s Parents’ Death

Must be verified by one of the following items:

1. Photocopy of death certificate;
2. PA 230, Request for Verification/Certification of Evidence confirming parent’s death; or
3. GEN 853, signed by the minor which certifies that their parents are deceased, as interim documentation pending receipt of a photocopy of a certified death certificate or confirming PA 230.