AB 924

Bill Subjects

Abstract

Existing federal law provides for allocation of federal funds through the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant program to eligible states. Existing law provides for the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program for the allocation of federal funds received through the TANF program, under which each county provides cash assistance and other benefits to qualified low-income families. Existing law provides that a parent or caretaker relative shall not be eligible for CalWORKs aid when he or she has received aid for a specified number of months. Existing law excludes any month in which certain conditions exist from being counted as a month of receipt of aid for these purposes. Existing law requires certain participants in the CalWORKs program to participate in certain welfare-to-work activities, and imposes graduated financial sanctions on a CalWORKs household when an individual fails or refuses to comply with program requirements, as specified. Under existing law, after a participant has been removed from the assistance unit because he or she has reached the time limit for aid, a county is authorized to provide additional welfare-to-work services and the recipient is required to participate in community service. This bill would revise the requirements for providing aid under the CalWORKs program, by deleting the county authority in the latter provision described above to provide welfare-to-work services and the participant's community service requirement. The bill would instead require a parent or caregiver relative who has reached that time limit, as well as an unaided parent or caregiver relative, to satisfy federal work requirements in order for his or her child to continue to receive CalWORKs aid, except as specified. This bill would make these changes operative on the first day of the first month following 90 days after the effective date of the bill. By increasing county duties in administering the CalWORKs program, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. 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 these statutory provisions.