CalWORKs: eligibility: income exclusions.

Existing law provides for 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. Under existing law, certain types of payments received by recipients of aid under the CalWORKs program, including income from a college work-study program, as specified, are exempt from consideration as income for purposes of determining eligibility and aid amount. This bill would, commencing January 1, 2025, or on the date that the State Department of Social Services notifies the Legislature that the California Statewide Automated Welfare System can perform the necessary automation to implement this change, additionally exempt income up to 200% of the federal poverty level that is received by an apprentice or preapprentice for performing work as part of a specified apprenticeship program or preapprenticeship program from consideration as income for purposes of determining eligibility or calculating grant amounts under the CalWORKs program. The bill would require the State Department of Social Services to implement these provisions through an all-county letter or similar instruction until regulations are adopted. By expanding the scope of eligibility for CalWORKs, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. 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 11157 of the Welfare and Institutions Code proposed by AB 274 to be operative only if this bill and AB 274 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.