DPSS ePolicy

GENERAL RELIEF

44-218 Incarcerated Individuals

Release Date
09/29/2026

Section Heading

Purpose

Revision of existing policy and/or form(s)

What Changed?

The policy and procedures have been revised to:

  1. Update the public non-medical institution definition for clarity.
  2. Clarify California Statewide Automated Welfare System (CalSAWS) programming of General Relief (GR) cases for incarcerated individuals.
  3. Provide staff with the instructions on how to correctly update the cases when information is received indicating the participant has been incarcerated.

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


Policy

Individuals who are residing in the public non-medical institutions are not eligible for GR benefits. An individual is considered an inmate of a public non-medical institution from the date of incarceration until bail, probation, parole, or permanent release.

Applications are not accepted for individuals residing in public non-medical institutions. If an application is received by mail or via BenefitsCal for an individual in a public non-medical institution, the application is denied.

Before COVID-19 pandemic there were exceptions to accepting applications from a public non-medical institution for soon-to-be-released inmates. However, the Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) Sheriff Homeless Project was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic and has not been reinstated since. Currently, there are no exceptions to accepting GR applications from inmates at risk of homelessness who are held at Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) facilities and scheduled to be released within 30 calendar days. Additional information will be provided once the project is resumed.

Any time a participant with an active GR case enters a public non-medical institution, their:

  1. GR case is discontinued effective the beginning of the following month after their incarceration date; and 
  2. Overpayments are adjusted for any issuance occurring the beginning of the month following the incarceration date.

Public non-medical institution residents do not have hearing rights if their GR case is discontinued, or benefits are reduced while they are still incarcerated.

Upon release from the public non-medical institution former inmates can apply for GR or reinstate their GR benefits if the case is still in the Extended Suspend Period and they comply with all other GR eligibility requirements.

  1. If the participant has been released from the public non-medical institution prior to the end of the Extended Suspend Period and has provided release papers, the GR case is rescinded and benefits are reinstated effective the date of the release, or the first of the month after the discontinuance month, whichever is later. 
  2. If the participant has been released from the public non-medical institution after the end of the Extended Suspend Period, the case cannot be rescinded, and benefits cannot be reinstated. The participant needs to submit a new GR application.

Refer to 44-411 Extended Suspend Period policy for detailed information.


Background

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Definitions

BenefitsCal

A website for customers to apply for, view, and renew benefits for health coverage, food, and cash assistance. The BenefitsCal portal also allows customers to upload supporting verification(s)/document(s) online.


Inmate

An individual who is incarcerated in a public non-medical institution for a criminal offense, regardless of age.


Public Non-Medical Institution

Any facility or institution which is owned, operated, or managed by, or provides services on behalf of a federal, state, or local government. The following are public non-medical institutions:

  1. State or federal prisons; 
  2. Correctional facilities; 
  3. County, city or tribal jails; 
  4. Detention centers; 
  5. California Youth Authority (CYA) camps; 
  6. Fire camps; and 
  7. Rehabilitation and Reentry Program facilities.

Refer to California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) website for complete list of facilities.


CDCR inmate locator

A public website used to verify an individual’s current institutional status by using their first name, last name or CDCR number: CDCR - California Incarcerated Records and Information Search (CIRIS).


Jail Match

A monthly electronic file that LASD sends to CalSAWS on the 15th of each month that contains information about individuals who have been incarcerated for more than 30 days. The “Jail Match Interface” matches the demographic information against current CalSAWS data to identify the participants who receive benefits while incarcerated. 


LASD

A law enforcement agency operating in designated service areas and are responsible for also managing inmates in seven custody facilities (jails) located within Los Angeles County.


Nationwide Prisoner Match (NPM)

A monthly abstract from CDSS that provides information about the individuals incarcerated in federal, state, or local correctional facilities for more than 30 days. This match uses the Social Security Administration (SSA) Prisoner Update Program System (PUPS) database to match the Social Security Numbers (SSNs) of individuals against current CalSAWS data to identify the participants who receive benefits while incarcerated.  


Probation Interface 

A monthly automated file exchange between the DPSS and Los Angeles County Probation Department (LACPD) that contains details about individuals on probation. Then Probation Interface matches the demographic information with current CalSAWS data to identify participants who receive benefits.


Requirements

GR participants are required to report all mandatory mid-period changes including household (HH) composition changes within five calendar days from the date the change become known to the HH. 

Refer to 40-104 Reporting Responsibilities for General Relief Applicants and Participants and 44-203 Household Composition and Living Arrangement policies for details.

Discovery of an incarceration by the County via Jail Match and/or NPM is considered a County known information and may lead to disqualification of incarcerated individual from GR benefits. The County is required to take mid-period action by discontinuing GR benefits effective beginning of the following month after incarceration date. 

15-Day Residency Requirement for Former Inmates

If a former inmate who resided in Los Angeles County for at least a year before they were sent to prison in another County, immediately returns to Los Angeles County after their release and intend to stay in Los Angeles County, they meet the residency requirements and are potentially eligible for GR. The 15-day residency rule in this situation does not apply.

Community Based Alternatives to Custody (CBAC) Program

The CBAC Program operated by the LACPD, includes programs that allow eligible inmates who meet specific requirements the opportunity to be released from custody and complete their sentence in one of the programs below. However, to receive GR benefits, eligible inmates must meet all GR eligibility requirements, including employable requirements if they are designated Employable status. If the program requires a payment from the individual, potential income and/or resources must be explored.

  1. Work Furlough Program

    This program allows eligible inmates, who are employed at least 35 hours per week, to continue their employment while residing in a community lock-down facility (e.g., Scapular House). Inmates who apply for this program also have financial obligations, contributing a portion of their earnings, based on a sliding scale, towards incarceration costs and potentially paying restitution to victims.

    Inmates in this program are not eligible to GR as they are employed and have other resources for support. 

    Note: Inmates placed in this program by court order and not required to pay may be eligible to GR, dependent on current resources.

  2. Home Detention Program

    1. Home Confinement Program - This program allows eligible inmates to remain at their residence under house arrest during specified hours while being monitored by random phone checks. These inmates may leave home for acceptable reasons, such as work, doctor’s appointments, etc., but must notify the Probation Department ahead of time. Individuals participating in this program have financial obligations and pay daily fees. 
    2. Electronic Monitoring Program - This program allows eligible inmates to perform public and community service and return to the jail for housing. Individuals participating in this program have financial obligations and pay daily fees for electronic monitoring devices.

      Inmates enrolled in Home Detention Program are not eligible to GR as they are employed and/or have other resources for support. 

  3. Work Release Program 

    Eligible inmates serving time in jail are allowed to leave the jail facility during the day to attend regular work and return immediately after work for confinement purposes.

    Individuals participating in this program are considered institutionalized and are not eligible to GR.

    When it has been verified that the applicant is participating in the Work Release Program, GR is denied. GR participants participating in this program will appear on the monthly Jail Match, and their GR case will be automatically discontinued. If the participant requests hearing in response to the Notice of Action (NOA) indicating they are still in the Work Release Program, no hearing will be scheduled, and GR case will remain discontinued.

  4. Amer-I-Can Program 

    This program is part of the Work Release Program and allows eligible first-time offenders, between the ages of 18 and 25, to receive instruction and guidance in personal and life-management skills, as well as employment search and retention skills.

    Inmates enrolled in this program are considered institutionalized and are not eligible to GR.


  5. Weekender Program 

    This program allows offenders, who are employed and/or have family responsibilities, to continue their employment and/or maintain their family obligations while serving their time on weekends.

    Inmates enrolled in this program are not eligible to GR as they are employed and/or have other resources for support.


  6. Supervised Release Program 

    LACPD staff makes recommendations on release of pre-sentenced defendants on their own recognizance. The court has not released the defendants, but remands them to supervised release (i.e., home detention, drug testing, face-to-face supervision, etc.). Defendants live in their own home and must pay for the program.

    Individuals in Supervised Release Program may be eligible for GR, if they meet all GR eligibility requirements including employability requirements if determined to be employable. Since the individual is required to pay, potential income/resources will be explored.

Exceptions To Accepting Applications from a Public Non-Medical Institution

The DPSS Sheriff Homeless Project was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic and has not been reinstated since. Currently, no GR applications are being accepted from LASD facilities for soon-to-be-released inmates. Additional information will be provided once the project is resumed.

Gate Monies Received by Inmates Released from State Prisons

Lump sum payment received in month of application is counted as personal property and subject to the personal property limitations at the time of application ($100 for an individual/$200 for couple/family).

Refer to 42-200 Property and 44-101 Income policies for detailed information.


Verification Docs

Upon release, the former inmate must provide the verification of release date as a condition of GR eligibility. The released documents from jail/prison include the release date from the institution. Former inmates who do not have the released documents, may use the GEN 853, Sworn Statement, and provide a written statement under penalty of perjury.


Attachments

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Index

Glossary

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APP
Pre Apprenticeship Certificate Program
AU
Administratively Unemployable
CLA
Clinical Assessment Appointment
CLE
Clinical Engagement
CORE
Career, Opportunities, Resources and Employment
CSS
Department Of Community And Senior Services
CSSD
Child Support Services Department
DMH
Department Of Mental Health
EJS
Early Job Search
ELAAJCC
East Los Angeles America’s Job Center Of California
ES-EW
Employment Special Eligibility Worker
HiSEC
High School Equivalency Certificate
HiSET
High School Equivalency Test
JOC
Job Order Coordinator
JRT
Job Readiness Training
JSPC
Job Skills Preparation Class
LACOE
Los Angeles County Office of Education
LADOT
Los Angeles Department of Transportation
LOD
Line Operations Development
NSA
Need Special Assistance
PCC
Pasadena City College
REP
Rapid Employment Promotion
SIP
Self-Initiated Program
SOA
Security Officer Assessment
SOT
Security Officer Training
SSVF
Supportive Services for Veteran Families
TAP
Transit Access Pass
VA
Department of Veteran Affairs
VL
Veteran Liaison
WIOA
Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act

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