SB 996

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, with California's version of this program being known as the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program. Under the CalWORKs program, each county provides cash assistance and other benefits to qualified low-income families and individuals who meet specified eligibility criteria, including limitations on income and assets generally applicable to public assistance programs. This bill would repeal those limitations on assets with regard to eligibility for CalWORKs, thereby eliminating the consideration of an individual's or family's assets as a condition of eligibility for CalWORKs. The bill would also make conforming changes to other provisions. Existing law requires that aid be granted to a family with a related child under 18 years of age who has been deprived of parental support or care due to the unemployment, continued absence, death, incapacity, or incarceration of a parent. Under existing law, a child for whom a parent is applying for CalWORKs is considered to be deprived of parental support or care due to the unemployment of their parent when the parent has worked less than 100 hours in the preceding 4 weeks and meets specified requirements. Existing law authorizes a family receiving CalWORKs benefits with a child who is considered to be deprived of parental support or care due to unemployment to continue to receive assistance regardless of the number of hours their parent works, if the family does not exceed the applicable gross or net income limits and is otherwise eligible for assistance. This bill would repeal the 100-hour standard described above for purposes of determining a child's deprivation of parental support or care due to the unemployment of their parent. The bill would also make conforming changes to other provisions. By increasing the duties of counties administering the CalWORKs program, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. Existing law continuously appropriates money from the General Fund to pay for a share of aid grant costs under the CalWORKs program. The bill would declare that no appropriation would be made for purposes of the bill pursuant to the provision continuously appropriating funds for the CalWORKs 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 the statutory provisions noted above.