DPSS ePolicy

Skills and Training to Achieve Readiness for Tomorrow (START) participants are eligible to receive Ancillary/Work-Related payments, when needed, to participate in their assigned START activities or to meet an employment requirement. Ancillary requests can be submitted by the START service providers, education/training providers, employers or other community-based/non-profit agencies to the START Case Manager (SCM), and by the participant upon employment. 

Ancillary/Work-Related expenses must be authorized on CalSAWS within one workday of the participant meeting the verification requirements or assignment to a START activity. In instances where the participant needs the Ancillary/Work-Related payment prior to attending the activity, payment must be issued in advance to ensure the participant can comply with his/her assigned activity.

START participants are informed of the various types of Ancillary/Work-Related expenses available through the START Program during Orientation, Case Manager Appointment (CMA), prior to or at any time during their assignment in a START activity. Ancillary/Work-Related expense payments are issued to START participants to cover the costs associated with their participation in an assigned START activity or to accept/retain employment.

Note: This policy includes all START Ancillary/Work-Related expense payments, except for transportation. Reference: START Transportation, Release Date: 10/08/15.

•  Books/Supplies/Fees – to participate in education/training-related activities; 
  • Books – includes textbooks, reference materials, or other books required by the course;
  • Supplies – includes pens, pencils, notebooks, ruler, or other materials required by the course; and
  • Fees – includes registration fees, student identification cards, license fees, certification, exams required by the course, or any other necessary fees.

Note: Tuition cost is not an allowable fee/expense and cannot be paid.
 

• Clothing/Shoes – to assist participants who do not have the appropriate clothing attire to search and apply for a job or go to a job interview.
  
  
• Uniform – to participate in education/training-related activities or to meet an employment requirement where a specific uniform is required, and the employer does not cover
  the cost. Examples are uniforms required to participate in Certified Nursing Assistants, Culinary Arts, Security Officer Training, Construction, etc.
  
  
• Tools – to participate in education/training related activities or as an employment requirement where specific tools are required. For example, construction or welding equipment, supplies, and cosmetology supplies, etc.
  
  
• Guard Card – to enroll in Security Officer Training or to participants with a verified offer of employment in the security field.
  
  
• Tattoo Removal – to assist participants who have visible tattoos, a physical obstacle that makes it difficult for them to find and obtain employment.
  
  
• Haircut – to assist participants who need proper grooming to find and obtain employment.
  
  
• Shower – to assist homeless participants who have no access to shower facilities and need this expense for hygiene purposes to find and obtain employment. Ancillary Type maximum amounts and frequency:
  • Books/Supplies/Fees: Maximum Amount - $150 once per school semester.
  • Clothing/Shoes: Maximum Amount - $50 one-time within a twelve-month period.
  • Uniform: Maximum Amount - $50 one-time within a twelve-month period.
  • Tools: Maximum Amount - $50 one-time within a twelve-month period.
  • Guard Card: Maximum Amount - $75 one-time within a twelve-month period.
  • Haircut: Maximum Amount - $10 monthly.
  • Shower: Maximum Amount - $10 monthly.
  • Tattoo Removal: Maximum Amount - $40 monthly. 

The Threshold Limits will be authorized only up to the maximum amount.

Ancillary Issuance START Ancillary/Work-Related expense payments are issued to the participants through their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards.
 

Eligibility requirements for ancillary issuance:

• Participant is assigned to a START activity; or
  
  
• Participant provides an offer of employment and verification for Ancillary/Work-Related expense need;
  
  
• Participant has an identified employment barrier and needs Ancillary/Work-Related expenses while participating in START activity and searching for employment.

Note: Participants are required to provide receipts within ten business days of Ancillary/Work-Related expense issuance.

Job Search/Job Readiness Activities

• Assignment to START activity; and
  
  
• Assessment of need by the SCM, START Supervisor (SS), or START providers.

Education/Training-related

• Written verification or receipts from education/training provider for books/supplies/fees or uniform; and
  
  
• Assessment of need by the SCM, SS, or START providers.

Employment-related

• Written verification from employer for uniform, tools and other necessary Ancillary/Work-Related expenses needed; and/or
  
  
• Assessment of need by the SCM or SS.
  

Note: Ancillary/Work-Related expenses for tattoo removal, shower, and haircut may be issued upon the participant’s request if necessary to remove a barrier to employment through an assessment of need by the SCM or SS.

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