DPSS ePolicy

Revision of existing policy and/or form(s)

What changed?

1. Included to initiate contact with General Relief (GR) applicants within three calendar days from the date the application is received.
2. References to Your Benefits Now (YBN) have been replaced with BenefitsCal. BenefitsCal is the new statewide self-service portal that replaced YBN.
3. References to the General Relief Opportunity for Work (GROW) Program have been replaced with the Skills and Training to Achieve Readiness for Tomorrow (START) Program.
   
   Note: The term GROW will be used only when referencing the California Statewide Automated Welfare System (CalSAWS) pages until the system is fully programmed.
   
   
4. References to the Leader Replacement System have been replaced with CalSAWS.
5. References to the Electronic Document Management System (EDMS) have been replaced with CalSAWS Imaging Solution (CIS).
6. Language was also changed to incorporate gender neutral terms.

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

Effective April 25, 2022, Los Angeles (LA) County residents may apply for GR benefits online using BenefitsCal, which can be accessed at: https://www.benefitscal.com/. BenefitsCal is the new statewide self-service portal that replaced YBN.

Applications submitted online Monday through Friday during normal business hours will be received for processing on the same day. Applications submitted on holidays or weekends will be received for processing on the next business day. Applications will be assigned to the district of residence based on the address or zip code provided by the applicant or by the GR office selected by the applicant. Eligibility staff must initiate contact with GR applicants within three calendar days from the date the application is received.

Applicants will be prompted to answer GR-related questions and will be able to submit proof (verification) with their online application. The application will be reviewed by Eligibility staff, and the applicant will be provided an Intake Appointment. The application will be processed and eligibility determined per existing policy and procedures. The submission of applications via BenefitsCal does not change any GR eligibility requirement. Applicants who submit a GR application online are still subject to existing GR eligibility criteria and must complete existing GR requirements. Additional forms and information notices required as part of the intake process must be provided to the applicant, which are to be completed and returned as part of the initial eligibility determination process.

GR applicants in need of same day services are encouraged to apply in person at any of the fourteen GR district offices.

Participants/Applicants can find their nearest GR district office on the “Find an Office” page, by entering their county and zip code and then selecting the GR Program. The “Find Office” page can be accessed by clicking on the “Find an Office” hyperlink under the Contact Us section located at the bottom of the BenefitsCal homepage.

This Administrative Release (1) announces the use of the BenefitsCal self-service website and (2) provides policy and procedures for the submission and processing of applications received. Online applications are accepted for GR, CalFresh, Medi-Cal (MC), California Work Opportunities and Responsibility to Kids (CW), Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI), and Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA).

The addition of the GR application to BenefitsCal is in line with the Department’s goals to improve the participants/applicants experience as they apply for various programs. The Department is committed to identify and implement enhancements to improve the participants/applicants experience.

The BenefitsCal website is available in 19 different languages: Arabic, Armenian, Chinese, English, Farsi, Hmong, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Lao, Mien, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, Thai, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese.

BenefitsCal

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

Complete GR Application

To begin the GR application process, an applicant must provide the following information at the time the application is submitted:

• Full name (first and last)
• Address (or indicate if homeless)
• Date of birth
• E-Signature

e-Application

An application that is available to be completed and turned in or submitted online.

CIS

The new system that replaced EDMS. CIS may also be referenced to as Hyland or Perceptive Experience.

Applicants should fill out as much of the GR application as possible, including providing:

• Full name (first and last)
• Address (or indicate if homeless)
• Social Security Number (SSN)
• Date of birth
• E-Signature

If the application is missing key information, the processing of the application may be delayed.

The information below is needed to determine initial GR eligibility. The Eligibility Worker (EW) must be able to verify each of the following requirements before approving a GR application. Verification that is not submitted along with the application will be requested via telephone, by United States (U.S.) Mail, or in-person.

Identification (ID)

When applying for GR, a valid form of government issued ID must be present. DPSS may assist GR applicants to obtain a valid form of ID when necessary. If proof of identity is already on file, it does not need to be provided again.

Citizenship Status

Applicants must declare their citizenship status and provide verification or have verification on file. If verification of citizenship status is already on file, the applicant does not need to provide it again unless there has been a change to citizenship status, or the verification has expired.

SSN

Applicants must provide an SSN at the time of application or during the GR application process.

Income

Applicants must answer questions regarding income and provide proof of all income received.

Property

Applicants must answer questions regarding the types of personal and real property owned.

Residency

Applicants must be a resident of LA County and meet residency criteria. Applicants who have been in LA County for less than 15 days and do not want to reside in LA County may be provided assistance to return home.

Employability

Applicants who are able to work must participate in the START Program. Applicants who are not able to work must provide proof they are unable to work.
 

The following is a list of acceptable forms of verification to submit with a GR application. The documents may be uploaded and submitted with the GR application via BenefitsCal or provided to the EW at the Intake Appointment. Various forms are available on the DPSS website. Additionally, Eligibility staff are available to assist applicants in completing any required forms.

Forms

• PA 1815, Important Notice Regarding Mailing Address form
• SSP 14, Authorization for Reimbursement of Interim Assistance Initial Claim or Posteligibility form

Applicant and Household ID Verification

• Government issued ID Card, Driver’s License, or Birth Certificate
• Social Security Card, SSN, or print out from Social Security Administration
• Citizenship/Naturalization documentation

Income Verification

• Pay Stubs
• Employers Statement(s)
• Unemployment Insurance Benefit/Disability Insurance Benefit Award Letters
• Social Security and/or Veteran Income Award Letters
• Statement of Support Contribution(s) Received

Personal Property and/or Resource Verification (if applicable)

• Automobile(s) Registration(s)
• Checking and/or Savings Account Statement(s)
• Stock/Bond Value Statement(s)
• Real Property Deed(s)
• Student Financial Aid Award Letter(s)