DPSS ePolicy

Revision of existing policy and/or form(s)

What changed?

1. References to the General Relief Opportunities for Work (GROW) Program have been replaced with the Skills and Training to Achieve Readiness for Tomorrow (START) Program.
   
   
   • Note: The GROW term will be used only when referencing the California Statewide Automated Welfare System (CalSAWS) pages until the system is fully programmed with the START name change. All notices and forms that are currently available in CalSAWS will also display the GROW name pending system changes.
      
2. Provided instructions for Eligibility staff to refer General Relief (GR) participants who were previously aided by the federal Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) or state Trafficking and Crime Victims Assistance Program (TCVAP) cash assistance to the Refugee Employment Program (REP) for employment services, if they were erroneously referred to the START Program.
3. Provided instructions for the START Case Managers (SCM) on how to identify participants newly referred to their office for active enrollment into the REP and to deregister them from the START Program.
4.  Inform staff about implementation of the eligibility period reduction from 12 to four months for federally funded RCA and state funded TCVAP Cash Assistance Programs for individuals with eligibility start dates on or after May 5, 2025.
   
   
   • Note: Participants who were aided on federal RCA and/or state TCVAP cash assistance prior to May 5, 2025, will continue to be eligible for up to 12 months.
      
5. Reference to the Los Angeles Eligibility Automated Determination Evaluation and Reporting system has been replaced with CalSAWS.
6. Reference to the Electronic Document Management System has been replaced with CalSAWS Imaging Solution (CIS).
7. Reference to Your Benefits Now has been replaced with BenefitsCal.

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

Participants receiving federal RCA or state TCVAP cash assistance are eligible to receive REP services for up to 60 months from their eligibility start date. The eligibility date for benefits is based on their immigration status and could be the date of entry (DOE) into the United States (U.S.), when they were granted asylum status, from the date of certification by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), or from the date of initial application for public benefits. Noncitizen victims of human trafficking (T Visa), domestic violence, and other serious crimes (U Visa) are also eligible to receive REP services while receiving federal RCA or state TCVAP cash assistance. Participants whose federal RCA and/or state TCVAP cash benefits were discontinued due to reaching the 12-month or four-month time limit if they applied on or after May 5, 2025, are potentially eligible for GR benefits, if they comply with GR Program requirements.

Former TCVAP/RCA participants eligible for GR benefits have the option to receive employment services through REP, while they are within the 60-month time limit for REP or through the START Program. GR participants will continue receiving employment services through the START Program after reaching the 60-month time limit for REP.

Refer to the following policies for detailed information:

• 69-200 Refugee Resettlement Program – Refugee Cash Assistance
• 70-100 Trafficking and Crime Victims Assistance Program
• 1710 Refugee Services Overview
• 42-411 Noncitizen Victims of Human Trafficking, Domestic Violence, and Other Serious Crimes

Under no circumstances may participants receive duplicate cash aid (e.g., TCVAP/RCA/GR) or more than one employment services (e.g., REP/START) at the same time.

Note: Former TCVAP/RCA participants 60 years or older who apply for GR benefits should not be referred to REP unless they want to volunteer, as these participants are automatically designated an Administratively Unemployable (AU) status. Refer to the 41-200 Administratively Unemployable policy for details.

TCVAP/RCA participants are required to participate in REP as a condition of eligibility unless exempt. REP services are available to these participants for up to 60 months from their eligibility start date. The eligibility date for benefits is based on their immigration status and could be the DOE into the U.S., when they were granted asylum status, from the date of certification by the ORR, or from the date of initial application for public benefits, even after their cash aid has been discontinued. Participants who exhaust their TCVAP/RCA cash benefits may apply for GR and continue receiving employment services through REP.

The REP participants benefit greatly from REP services, as the participating Community Based Organizations (CBOs) specialize in direct services that are culturally and linguistically sensitive and assist qualified noncitizens with adjusting and adapting to the American work environment, learning English, finding employment, and ultimately achieving self-sufficiency.

RCA

A federally funded program through the ORR that provides cash assistance to qualified noncitizens (e.g., refugees, asylees, Cuban/Haitians Entrants, Special Immigrant Visa holders, certain humanitarian parolees, Amerasians, and certified victims of human trafficking) who are not otherwise eligible for any other cash aid, including GR. These individuals include single adults/married couples who do not have minor children and families with minor children who do not meet CalWORKs Program requirements.

RCA eligibility period is being reduced from 12 to four months only for individuals with eligibility start date is on or after May 5, 2025. Participants who were aided on RCA prior to May 5, 2025, will continue to be eligible for up to 12 months.

Refer to the 69-200 Refugee Resettlement Program – Refugee Cash Assistance policy for detailed information.

TCVAP

A state funded program that provides eligible noncitizen victims of a severe form of human trafficking (T Visa), domestic violence, or other serious crimes (U Visa), with services such as cash assistance, food benefits, employment, and supportive services. However, all applicants must meet the income, resource, and other program eligibility requirements.

State funded benefits and services are equivalent to federally funded benefits available to refugees and certified human trafficking victims and include, but are not limited to:

1. TCVAP Cash Assistance (version of state funded RCA for single adults/married couples who do not have minor children and families with minor children who do not meet CalWORKs Program requirements);
2. TCVAP CalWORKs (state funded CalWORKs for families with minor children);
3. California Food Assistance Program;
4. Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants;
5. In-Home Supportive Services;
6. State funded Medi-Cal, administered by the California Department of Health Care Services;
7. Employment Services; and/or
8. Supportive Services (childcare, transportation, and ancillary services).

Refer to the 70-100 Trafficking and Crime Victims Assistance Program policy for detailed information.

REP

A program designed to provide culturally and linguistically sensitive employment and specialized services for the qualified noncitizens. It is intended to assist refugees and asylees through the initial adjustment period, with the ultimate goal of becoming self-sufficient. REP provides outreach, acculturation services, case management, employment training, and placement services to eligible individuals for up to 60 months from their eligibility start date. The primary focus of REP services is to assist qualified noncitizens with adjusting and adapting to the American work environment, learning English, finding employment, and ultimately achieving self-sufficiency. DPSS contracts out with CBOs to provide direct employment and training services to the refugee population within Los Angeles County.

Refer to the 1710 Refugee Services Overview policy for detailed information.

START Program(formerly known as the GROW Program)

A mandatory Welfare-to-Work Program for Employable GR participants that provides education and training opportunities, supportive services, and case management to help obtain jobs and achieve self-sufficiency. While participating in the START Program participants will be assigned activities to help achieve their employment goals. The START Program helps with transportation and job-related expenses, such as supplies and uniforms.

Employable GR Participants Referred to REP

As part of their GR application process, former TCVAP/RCA participants, who choose to receive services through REP instead of the START Program, will be given an RS 3, Service Provider Referral Notification form, to verify registration in REP. They are required to submit the RS 3 to their designated Refugee Case Manager (RCM).

Once the Contractor receives the RS 3, the Employable GR participant must comply with all REP requirements.

Unemployable GR Participants Previously Enrolled in REP

Unemployable GR participants who were previously enrolled in REP will be exempt from REP for the duration of their Unemployable status. After the expiration of their Unemployable status, GR participants can choose to receive services through REP or the START Program. They will be required to comply with the REP/START Program requirements as a condition of their GR eligibility.

Noncompliance with the REP Requirements

Failure to comply with the REP requirements will result in the discontinuance of GR benefits. A determination will be made whether the GR Employable participant had a good cause for not complying with the REP requirements. GR participants will be subject to a 0/30/60-day sanction for any REP noncompliance similar to the START Program noncompliance.

Refer to the 41-411 Noncompliance and Sanction and 44-403.5 Noncompliance Review and Hearing Process policies for additional information.

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