AB 2230

Bill Subjects

Abstract

Existing law establishes the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program, under which each county provides cash assistance and other benefits to qualified low-income families and individuals. Existing law sets forth the amount of maximum aid to be paid for each needy family and includes allowances for recurring or nonrecurring special needs that a family may be eligible for, as specified. Under existing law, homeless assistance is available to a family that is homeless and seeking shelter when the family is eligible for aid under the CalWORKs program. Under existing law, a nonrecurring special needs benefit of $85 per day is available to families of up to 4 members for the costs of temporary shelter, and the 5th and additional members of the family each receive $15 per day, up to a daily maximum of $145, as specified. Existing law requires the temporary shelter special needs benefit to be granted or denied the same day that the family's application for homeless assistance is submitted. Existing law authorizes the temporary shelter benefit for an initial period of up to 3 working days, and then, after homelessness has been verified, the 3-day limit is extended for a period of time that does not exceed a total of 16 calendar days, as specified. Existing law requires the extension of benefits to be done in increments of one week and to be based upon documentation that the family is searching for permanent housing, good cause, or other circumstances defined by the department. This bill, instead, would require the family, if the special needs benefit is granted, to receive the benefits for 16 calendar days, in a one-time payment. The bill would repeal a related obsolete provision. Because the bill would impose new duties on counties in administering the CalWORKs program, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. This bill would become operative on July 1, 2024, and only upon an appropriation for the purpose of the bill, unless the changes made by the bill cannot be implemented without an update to the Statewide Automated Welfare System (SAWS) , in which case the bill would become operative on the date that the department notifies the Legislature that SAWS has been updated to perform the necessary automation to implement the bill. Existing law continuously appropriates moneys from the General Fund to defray a portion of county costs under the CalWORKs program. This bill would instead provide that the continuous appropriation would not be made for purposes of implementing the above provisions. This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 11450 of the Welfare and Institutions Code proposed by SB 1083 to be operative only if this bill and SB 1083 are enacted and this bill is enacted last. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.