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The People's Guide
Information about opportunities to help you get through hard times
to
Welfare
Health other
&
Services
38th Edition 2018
Los Angeles County
Hunger Action LAIntroduction
For more information on getting
Introduction help:
The People’s Guide gives practical In 2018, the President and Congress are 211 LA County
On the internet: www.211la.org
information about how to get food, money, discussing even more huge budget cuts
housing, health care and other help from that would greatly reduce cash and food 211 is a 24 hour per day, 7 day a week
government programs and community assistance, our rights to health care, telephone information and referral ser-
services if you live in Los Angeles County workers' rights, immigrant rights, and vice. Operators are available in many
and need help in hard times. You do not our right to a clean environment. languages. They can help you find
have to read the entire book, just find the emergency food and shelter, legal and
topic you need in the table of contents. Your voices are needed in those financial assistance, counseling and
However, people who are eligible for debates. Tell politicians how the programs many other resources.
help or don’t help and what your problems Phone: 211 or (800) 339-6996
one kind of help often qualify for other
are. Government officials need to be (800) 660-4026 (TTY)
programs as well, so read the entire booklet.
reminded of the tragic crises and pain
that happen in people’s lives when they
The People’s Guide also gives advice on
what to do if you are treated unfairly or do
can’t get food, housing, or health care. LAAffairs
County Office of Immigrant
oia.lacounty.gov Updated
not receive what you are entitled to by law. information on immigration issues
To get names and addresses of your
local, state and federal lawmakers, LA County Consumer & Business
Lately, massive government budget cuts Affairs dcba.lacounty.gov
call (800) 481-8683 or visit: www.
have meant less help for low income
lwvlosangeles.org/guidegovern.html Help for workers, renters &
families, seniors, and homeless people.
There are other problems with obtaining consumers
Politicians often want to use money for
assistance: rumors and false information
that discourage eligible people from
even trying to get help their family
services. But when the rich get too much Public Policy Organizations
other things than health, welfare and social
You can call these groups or attend their
richer and the poor get too much poorer, the meetings to learn about policies affecting
desperately needs, people not knowing
gap has very bad effects on the whole society. you.
what the application steps are, language
barriers, people being made to feel
You can help close that gap. You don’t ACCE (213)863-4548
embarrassed for asking for needed help.
have to be an expert. Simply let those in losangeles@calorganize.org
authority know how a budget cut affects
The People’s Guide is dedicated to
you or your neighbors. California Food Policy Advocates
helping all people overcome barriers
(213) 482-8200 www.cfpa.net
when they try to get help. Every person
Hunger Action Los Angeles and our
has the right to enough food, housing,
members struggle for policies that save California Partnership
and health care. You help when you
and improve the safety net. www.california-partnership.org/contact
share this information with other people
who need help.
Hunger Action Los Angeles (HALA) Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of
There is another important way to help. 961 S. Mariposa Los Angeles (213)353-1333
.In Sacramento, Washington DC and Los Angeles, CA 90006
in County and local governments, the Tel: 213-388 8228 Community Coalition (323) 750-9087
www.hungeractionla.org cocosouthla.org
programs and services described in the
info@hungeractionla.org
People’s Guide are always being debated.
Community Health Councils
38th Edition. The People’s Guide to Welfare, are not responsible for the action, conduct, (323) 295-9372 www.chc-inc.org
Health & Other Services treatment you receive, and/or quality of
©2018 Hunger Action Los Angeles service of any private (non-government) Health Access (818) 480-3262
(HALA) agencies listed in this book and their www.health-access.org
Editors: Frank Tamborello, Elizabeth staff. Government agencies have their
Medrano, Samantha Vasquez own complaint procedures (see pg. 65) L.A. Alliance for a New Economy
Editorial Committee and Major Also, phone numbers and other important (213) 977-9400 www.laane.org
Contributors: Yolanda Arias, Donald Noller, information change: this information was
Ivette Vivanco, Lynn Kersey, Jessica Mark, accurate as of May 2018. L.A. Community Action Network
Matthew Clark, Rene Peña, Ryan Bradley, (213) 228-0024 cangress.org
Tyler Sutherland,Staff of LA County DPSS.
Apologies if we missed anyone. Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles
Spanish translation: Eliza Fraga, Elizabeth (800) 399-4LAW
Medrano
DISCLAIMER: Hunger Action Los Angeles Maternal & Child Health Access
(HALA) and other contributors to this book (213) 749-4261 www.mchaccess.org
2 The People's Guide 2018Contents
Contents
LA FAMILY SOURCE CENTERS
The City of Los Angeles has Family Source
Centers (FSC) where you can apply for
Income, Jobs, & Training: Health Care: programs such as the ones in this book
and get other help including child care
CalWorks...................4 Your Health Care Rights service, job placement and tutoring,
mentoring and arts instruction for youth:
Cash and other aid for families with ...............................40
children under 19
Boyle Heights: El Centro de Ayuda
Corporation 1972 E. Cesar Chavez Ave.
Medi-Cal..................41
Job & Career Training....... 14 Medical assistance for low income
LA, CA 90033 (323) 265-9228
Echo Park: El Centro del Pueblo
people
1824 W. Sunset Blvd .LA, CA 90026
Worker's Rights and (213) 483-6335
Unemployment..........15 Health Care for Children...48 El Sereno/Lincoln Heights:
Barrio Action Youth and Family Center
Unemployment, worker’s rights, and 4927 Huntington Dr., Suite 200
aid if you're temporarily disabled
Free & Low Cost Health Care LA, CA 90032 (323) 221-0779
Hollywood: Youth Policy Institute
Tax Credits...............19 ....................................49 1075 N. Western Ave., Suite 110
Health care you can get if you don’t
LA, CA 90029 (323) 836-0055
qualify for Medi-Cal: mental health,
Extra money for workers and renters North Valley: New Economics for Women
substance abuse, and regional
21400 Saticoy St. Canoga Park, CA
centers
91305 (818) 887-3872
Child Care & Education.......20 Pacoima: El Nido Family Centers
Assistance for working parents In Home Supportive Service 11243 Glenoaks Blvd., Suite 3
Pacoima 91331 (818) 896-7776
and Long Term Care.........52 Southeast: All People's Community Center
Foster Care...............22 822 E. 20th StreetLA, CA 90011
(213) 747-6357
Medicare..................53
Social Security, SSI and CAPI Health care for retirees, their
Southeast/Watts: Watts Labor Community
...............................23 dependents, and people with
Action Committee (WLCAC) 958 E. 108th
St. LA, CA 90059 (323) 249-7552
disabilities
Southwest: El Nido Family Center
Veterans...................27 4060 S. Figueroa St. LA, CA 90037
General Relief...........27
Housing and Utilities: (323) 998-0093
Southwest/Florence: The Children’s
Cash aid for single adults Collective 915 W. Manchester LA, CA
Utilities and Phone.......54 90044 (323)789-4717
Help with utility bills and special Van Nuys: New Economics for Women
Transportation..........31 6946 Van Nuys Blvd., Ste. 220
Bus passes, affordable car insurance, phone equipment for the disabled
Van Nuys, CA 91406 (818) 786-4098
help for cyclists
Housing....................56 West Adams: 1736 Family Crisis Center
2116 Arlington Ave., Suite 220
Food: Low cost housing , renter
assistance for seniors, renter’s rights Los Angeles, CA 90018
(323) 737-3900
CalFresh (Food Stamps)....32 West Los Angeles: Latino Resource
Assistance to buy more food. Guides for Further Help: Organization, Inc. 4804 S. Centinela Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90066
(310) 391-3457
Free & Low Cost Food......36 Guide for Non-Citizens......61 Westlake/Pico Union: Central City
Food pantries, meals for seniors, Neighborhood Partners 501 S. Bixel St.
community gardens LA, CA 90017(213) 482-8618
Hearings and Complaints...65 Wilmington/San Pedro: Toberman
How to get the benefits you are entitled Neighborhood Center
WIC..........................38 to 131 N. Grand Ave. San Pedro, CA
Nutrition assistance for mothers, 90731 (310) 832-1145 ext.106
infants and children Wilshire: P.F. Bresee Foundation
Good Advice.............68 184 Bimini Place
Legal Aid and crisis resources
LA, CA 90004
Child Nutrition..........39 (213) 387-2822
Free meals for children
Welfare Offices ........70
The People's Guide 2018 3CalWORKs
How Do I Qualify?
CalWorks To qualify to get CalWORKs, your monthly
income must be under the amount shown
CalWORKs (California Work, Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids) is on the table for your family size. Once you
California’s welfare program for people who have children under 19 years begin getting cash aid, you can make more
old. It provides monthly financial assistance for low income families. money and may still get cash assistance
Most adults can only get CalWORKs for 48 months in a lifetime, and, from CalWORKs.
unless exempt, will be required to work or go to training in order to
receive the cash assistance. If you get CalWORKs you may also be Monthly Income Limits
eligible to Medi-Cal for health care and CalFresh to help you buy food. Effective 7/1/17 through 6/30/2018
# of people Gross Income Limit
1 $660
Children age 18 and under and the adult What To Bring When 2 $1,082
relatives who care for them can get cash aid. 3 $1,342
Both one- parent and two-parent families
can get cash aid. In two-parent families,
You Apply 4 $1,592
5 $1,817
one of the parents must be disabled or have When applying for CalWORKs, bring the 6 $2,044
worked less than 100 hours in the last following documents listed below with you. 7 $2,246
four weeks before applying for cash aid. If you lack some of them, go ahead and 8 $2,444
apply, and get a list of documents to be 9 $2,652
brought in later. If you aren't able to get 10 $2,872
How Do I Apply? the verification that is requested, ask the Over 10 Add $26 for each extra person.
worker to help you.
You apply for CalWORKs at the nearest Money you make from working and
DPSS (Department of Public Social • Identification with your name and unemployment counts as income. SSI
Services) office. (see page 70 Welfare current address on it .This can be payments, most student loans, tax refunds
Offices.) a birth certificate, driver’s license, and Earned Income Credit don’t count. If
California ID card your child is under age 19, your child’s
You can also apply online through • Social Security Number or Card (or proof income may not count if the student
YourBenefitsNow! website at: of application for the cards) exemption rules are met. Loans from
www.dpssbenefits.lacounty.gov • Proof of income (like check stubs, a friends may be counted if there is no
W2, or copy of your tax return) and repayment agreement on file.
YourBenefitsNow! is a website for Los resources (like a bank statement)
Angeles County residents to apply for and • Proof that you live in the county (a To be qualified your resources must be less
to view their benefits online. If you have document that has your name and than $2,250. But if someone in the family
an emergency, do not apply online. an address on it) for each person on on aid is disabled or 60 years or older, the
the application limit is $3,500. Cash on hand, savings,
When you apply, you have a right to • If you lack ID, you can also fill out a some cars, and most other property count
be treated with courtesy and without form called “PA 853 Affidavit” and as resources. A home you live in, personal
discrimination for any reason. The DPSS swear that you are who you say you are items like furniture and a computer, tools,
workers will try to get you all the cash aid, • Proof of citizenship, alien or immigration and some retirement accounts don’t count.
food aid and other benefits for which you status for each person on the
are eligible. application While on cash aid, you can have a written
• Proof of your housing situation (rent agreement with DPSS to have a special
At times, eligible people who urgently need receipts, lease agreement, etc.) "restricted" savings account for education,
the aid don’t get correct information, or • Auto payment papers and registration training, starting a business or buying a
don’t understand or get discouraged. If that • Letters from a doctor if anyone in the house, and it will not count .You can have
is happening to you, be strong. Insist on household is pregnant, disabled, as much as you want in this "restricted"
talking to a supervisor, or the supervisor’s has a special medical need or has a account but you have to make a written
manager. Seek out the help of someone who special diet agreement with DPSS on a form, and give
will advocate for you. Insist on speaking • Any papers having to do with marriage, them the bank account information.
to someone fluent in your language (DPSS divorce, child support, or other
must provide a free interpreter) or call a circumstances that apply to your “Transfer of Assets.”
Legal Aid office. (see page 65 Hearings family. If you give away or sell a property or
and Complaints.) resource for less than its fair market value
while you are on cash aid, you might lose
cash aid for one or more months. If you and
the DPSS disagree about this, you need to
consult with an attorney or legal services
office. (pg 68 Good Advice).
4 The People's Guide 2018CalWORKs
Rules about Cars Rule, does not apply any more as of January
1, 2017. Children who were not getting
mothers can add $15 to their grant
to help with their dietary needs. Tell
If you're applying for CalWORKs or getting aid because of this rule in the past will be your worker if you have these special
it, you can own cars that are worth under added to the grant starting in January of needs.
$9,500. That's the "equity value"--the 2017. If you believe any of your children • Child Support: You can get $50 extra
difference between what the car is worth should have been added to the grant, but each month if the other parent pays
and what you might still owe on it. A car you were not added, contact legal services at least $50 of child support to the
live in, a car used to go to work, a car used (see pg. 68.) County’s Department of Child Support
to make money like a gardener’s truck, or a Services on time. The Department
1.YouThink
car used to transport a physically disabled
person in your home doesn’t count. Any
About Time Limits Before
Take Cash Aid
should give you a list that shows
when the other parent paid (an
vehicle for which ownership has been “accounting”). Check it to make
transferred to you as a gift, donation or sure you got $50 extra cash aid for
You may not want to get cash aid if you
family transfer, as defined by Department every month the other parent paid on
have other income. Any month you get cash
of Motor Vehicles, won't count against your time. To get an accounting call (866)
aid counts against the adult's 48-month
family's maximum resource limit, but you 901-3212.
time limit, even if you are entitled only to
must show the paperwork to prove it. For
a few dollars a month. You can get Medi-
other cars, anything over the $9,500 will
count toward your $2,250 resource limit.
Cal, Cal-Fresh and child care money even
when you do not get cash aid. Is the cash
3. Money for Pregnant Women
aid you will get worth “using up” a month
What Can I Get? of eligibility? Should you “save” the month
If you are pregnant, aged 19 or over, and
have no other children on CalWORKs,
in case you need it more at a later time you may get a grant for one person after
in your life? Call legal services to discuss reaching the beginning of the second
CalWORKs divides people who get cash
your options. Remember, children do not trimester of pregnancy plus an additional
aid into “exempt” and “non exempt”
have a 48 month time limit. $47 (Pregnant Special Need.)You get this
recipients. You are considered “exempt”
if you are getting disability payments such money from the time your pregnancy is
as In-Home Supportive Services, SSI/
SSP, State Disability Insurance, SSDI,
2. What Else Is Available? verified until the baby is born. Here are
some other rules for the $47:
Temporary Workers’Comp and Temporary When you are eligible for CalWORKs, you
Disability Indemnity. may also qualify for these programs: • Pregnant teens 18 or younger, who
have graduated from high school or
The chart below shows the “Maximum • Medi-Cal to pay for health care equivalent and with no other children
Aid Payment” for these two groups. This • CalFresh (food stamps) in most cases can get cash aid from the date of
maximum grant is cut dollar for dollar by • Immediate Need: an advance of up to application with proof of pregnancy,
any “unearned” income you have, such as $200 of your CalWORKs grant, which but must participate in Welfare to
social security survivor’s benefits, interest is provided 24 hours from the date of Work, (or in the Cal Learn Program
(like on a bank account), or unemployment the request, or your whole CalWORKs if they have not graduated from high
money. Earned income, wages from work, or grant within 3 days if you have an school. )
income based on a disability is not counted eviction notice • If there are no other children, the father
dollar for dollar. Make sure you are getting • Homeless and Housing Assistance cannot get CalWORKs until the child
the correct earned income deductions. including eviction prevention, is born, but he can get General Relief
temporary shelter, move-in costs, for himself, if eligible (see pg 27).
Maximum Aid Payments rent subsidy, and help with cost of • If you are undocumented, or receive
(Accurate May 2018) moving (see pages 12 and 13 for SSI, and have no other children on
several programs offered.) CalWORKs, you must wait until the
# of people "Nonexempt" "Exempt" • Non-Recurring Special Needs: You can child is born to get benefits for the
Grant Grant get up to $600 each time if you have baby. Bring in proof of the baby’s
to replace clothing, household items, birth such as hospital records or birth
1 $ 355 $ 392 and appliances because of a fire, certificate.
2 $ 577 $ 645 disaster, theft or other event beyond
3
4
$ 714
$ 852
$ 799
$ 949
your control. You can also get this
money for shelter if your home is so
4. Diversion Payments
5 $ 968 $ 1080 damaged or unlivable you can’t stay Instead of receiving monthly cash aid you
6 $1087 $ 1214 there and you are not eligible for the can apply for a large amount of money
7 $ 1195 $ 1334 Homeless Assistance program.You called a “diversion payment” to help you
8 $ 1301 $ 1454 must have less than $100 to get get or keep a job. To get it, you must be
9 $ 1407 $ 1571 this money. apparently eligible for CalWORKs, have
10 or more $ 1511 $ 1689 • Special Needs: You can get an extra a job or immediate job opportunity, and
$9 to $15 if you have special needs have an unexpected one-time need. For
Before 2017, in the CalWORKs program such as higher food costs because of example, you could pay for car repairs
you would usually not get more cash aid for a necessary special diet, or higher or insurance, work tools or clothing, rent
children born while your family is getting transportation or utility costs due to or utilities, license fees, or childcare
CalWORKs (with some exceptions). This a medical condition. Breast-feeding expenses. If you get a diversion payment
rule, called the Maximum Family Grant you may also get Medi-Cal, Cal-Fresh and
The People's Guide 2018 5CalWORKs
supportive services. (see page 9 "Services taking an application at your home, helping MoneyPass locations do not charge a fee.
To Help You.") you fill out forms, or reading all forms to Ask your worker for a list of banks and
you. Ask your worker for this help. If they ATMs near you that will not charge you a
The usual payment is up to the grant won’t give it to you, call Legal Services fee or go to http://ebtnearme.org or www.
amount for your family size for three for help. moneypass.com for a list of surcharge free
months or $2,000, whichever is larger. ATMs near you. You can also go to www.
For a “compelling need, ” you can get up
to $4,000 or the maximum grant amount
8. Fingerprints ebt.ca.gov for locations of ATMs.
for 6 months, whichever is greater The As of July 1, 2018, fingerprints are no longer GAIN participants may choose to have their
diversion payment counts as months of required in order to recieve CalWORKs payments for transportation issued through
cash against the 48 month life-time limit benefits. Already, no fingerprints are their EBT card or through a mailed check.
(amount of payment divided by monthly required for non-needy caretaker relatives
grant=months used up) After you get a caring for related foster children placed Call (877) 328-9677 right away if the card
diversion payment, you can still get cash by Department of Children and Family is stolen, lost, or destroyed. You will not
aid if you need it. But if you reapply for Services and completeing forms CW 2218 be charged for stolen aid after reporting
CalWORKs within the time period that and 2219. the loss.
the Diversion covers, the DPSS must
recollect the payment by either counting
the diversion months against your 48 9. Next Steps What Are The
month life time limit, or decreasing your
monthy payment by 10%.
Keep in touch with your DPSS eligibility
worker and write down his or her name,
Requirements?
phone number, and phone hours. If you
Diversion payments must be paid to
you within 5 days after the application
are asked to mail additional papers to
the DPSS, ask the worker for a stamped
1. Reporting Every Six Months
Every six months you must report changes
for a non-urgent need, or 3 days in an in income, property or the number of people
envelope addressed to him or her.
emergency. Starting a new job the next in your household. You will also report
day is an example of an emergency. once a year on a Semi-Annual Eligibility
If you take in papers, get a receipt. Keep
your own copy of all the paperwork. If you Income Report (SAR 7). It says "Eligibility
5.(Someone
Foster Care
Else's Children)
need help and your worker is not available,
the duty worker or supervisor must help
Status Report" on the top of the form. Also
once a year, you will fill out what is called
you. You can also call the Help Line for a "redetermination." DPSS will mail you
If you are caring for someone else’s your DPSS office.(see page 70) a SAR 7 report form. The form also asks
children, the child or children may qualify you to report any changes you expect in
for Foster Care or Approved Relative Within 45 days of when you turn in your the next six months.
Caregiver payments even if you are related application, you must either receive your
to the children. Foster Care and Approved first check, or a notice that you have been You must turn in the SAR-7 even if there
Relative Caregiver payments are higher denied aid. If the DPSS denies your aid, is no change to report. If you don’t get
than CalWORKs cash aid. (see page 22 they must send you a letter explaining the the SAR-7 in the mail go to DPSS to get
Foster Care.) If a relative’s children live with reason. Do not sign a “withdrawal” of your another form and fill it out.
you but do not get Foster Care or Approved application unless you understand and
Relative Caregiver payments, you should agree with the written reason you are given. The completed, signed form is due back
be able to get cash aid for them. to DPSS on the fifth day of the last month
10. Electronic Benefits Transfer of the six month period
6. Domestic Violence “EBT” Card There are some things that need to be
reported to the county before your next
If you are a victim of domestic violence, or DPSS will give you an EBT “electronic income report is due. This is called
suffering effects of past domestic violence benefits transfer card” (Golden State “mandatory mid-period reporting.” You
tell the worker right away, because there are ADVANTAGE) to use at banks, ATM must report these things within 10 days:
specially trained workers available to assist machines and stores. If you are also getting • Address changes
you with the problems you or your children CalFresh (food stamps), those benefits are • fleeing felons
may have. Also, you may be excused from accessed using the same card. • parole or probation violations,
GAIN or have other eligibility rules waived.
• and if your income goes over the “Income
For CalWORKs, if the last digit of your Reporting Threshold (“IRT”).”
Let DPSS know if you need emergency or case number is 1 to 3, the money goes The IRT is the amount of income that would
homeless assistance. DPSS staff must on your card the first day of the month; 4 reduce your aid or make your household
act quickly to help you. to 7, the second day of the month; and 8 ineligible for aid. DPSS will give you a form
to 0, the third day of the month. There telling you your IRT limit. DPSS counts the
7. Special Help for the Disabled is no charge for the first four “swipes” of
the card each month, after that there is
family’s earned and unearned income to
see if you are at this limit. For example a
If you have a physical or mental disability a 85¢ charge for each use. Some ATM family of three (non-exempt) has an IRT of
that makes it hard for you to go through machines will charge a fee of $1 or more $1,654.00 per month. The family doesn’t
the regular application process, DPSS must to use the card. have to report any change in income until
give you special help. This might include: the next report is due, unless it adds up
to more than $1,654.00 .
6 The People's Guide 2018CalWORKs
You can either drop your SAR-7 off at the You won’t get aid if you’re in jail or out of There are serious penalties for individuals
DPSS office, and get a dated receipt to the state for 30 days, but you should still who either are convicted of fraud in court
prove that you turned it in on time; or you report it, or they will charge you with an or found to have committed fraud at an
can mail it in the postage-paid envelope. overpayment. administrative hearing. You may have to
You can also safely submit your SAR 7
pay penalties and be disqualified from
online through YourBenefitsNow! You
can upload copies of pay stubs, bills, and 2. Rules for Families In Which CalWORKs for six months, twelve months,
or longer, depending on the seriousness
receipts, and get a receipt right after you Only Children Get Money
of the fraud. You can also be arrested and
submit your report online.
In some CalWORKs families, the children face jail time.
If you mail in your SAR-7, be sure to attach are receiving money but the adults are not.
copies of pay stubs, bills and receipts These are called "child only cases."If this
is the case, you don't have to complete any
4. Cooperate with Child Support
to prove your information. It is wise to Collection
keep a copy of every piece of paper you written mid-period/mid-year reports, such
give to DPSS. If the SAR-7 you turn in is as the SAR 7, You will still have to fill a Unless it could put you or your children in
incomplete, DPSS treats it as if it was not written redetermination once a year. You danger to do so, parents on cash aid must
turned in at all. may still have to complete reports every help (“cooperate with”) the Child Support
six months for CalFresh (food stamps.) Agency (”CSA”) to collect child support
If you do not turn in a SAR-7 report by the from any absent parent. You must provide
eleventh day of the reporting month, you The following are CalWORKs cases that information you have about the other parent
will get a notice that your cash aid will are considered "child only" cases: such as name, an address or social security
stop. DPSS must also try to phone you to number, and/or place of employment.
let you know they don’t have the SAR-7. • All adults that have reached the
CalWORKs 48-month time limit; The County keeps most of the child support
If you get a notice that you are being • The adult(s) is not eligible because of it collects, up to the amount of the family’s
terminated (your aid stopped) for not a fleeing felon status, or has been found cash aid. You will get your CalWORKs grant
filling out a SAR-7, call your worker, go by a court to be in violation of probation plus an extra $50 per month for every month
to the DPSS immediately, and fill out a or parole; the other parent pays on time. Every quarter
new SAR-7 (or take in your receipt if you • The adult(s) is not eligible for CalWORKs the CSA should give you an accounting of
already submitted the SAR-7). due to immigration status; the child support they collected. Call (866)
• The adult(s) is not eligible because of 901-3212 to ask for this information.
If you submit a complete SAR-7 within the failure to provide a Social Security Number; Parents will lose their share of cash aid if
month following the discontinuance, you • The adult(s) is a CalWORKs non-needy they refuse to sign over the child support
will not have to reapply but your eligibility relative (did not request CalWORKs to the county.
and benefits will be determined by the date assistance);
you turn in a complete SAR-7 unless you • The adult(s) is receiving Supplemental If you sign over your child support, but
had a good reason (good cause). Security Income; or the Child Support Agency says you are not
• The adult(s) is CalWORKs sanctioned cooperating with them, your family’s aid
If you can show “good cause” your cash due to refusal to assign child/spousal can be cut 25%.
benefits will be restored back to the support rights.
beginning of the month. Good cause for Many people have good cause for not
turning the SAR-7 in late includes: If there is no adult receiving money cooperating. Good cause includes:
• errors by DPSS, because he/she chooses not to participate • You don’t know where the absent parent
• a physical or mental condition that in welfare-to-work requirements, the case is, or have no other information about
prevented you from being on time, is not a "child only" case. the other parent
• or not being able to provide all the • You are afraid of the absent parent, you
necessary information. There are some things that need to be or your children may be in danger, or
reported to the county for child only cases: you are a victim of domestic violence.
If you haven’t been able to work it out or • When income exceeds the Income • Rape or incest has occurred
haven’t heard from your worker, be sure to Reporting Threshold (IRT) • You are planning to place the child for
file for a fair hearing before the date your • Address changes adoption.
check is supposed to stop. This way you • Fleeing felon status
will not lose your cash aid (see pg. 65). • Violation of conditions of parole If your worker at DPSS agrees that you have
• Changes in family composition good cause, you will not have your cash aid
When you first apply, the amount of cash cut. If you get a notice in writing that you are
aid you get depends on how much your “not cooperating” and you think you have
other income is at that time. What you
report on your application will be used
3. Report All Your Income And Gifts a good reason not to, and cannot resolve
the issue by talking with your worker, ask
to determine what you get the next few You should be careful to report all income for a fair hearing. (See Page 65 Hearings
months until your first SAR-7 is turned in. you get or changes in your family. DPSS And Complaints.)
If your income goes down, report it right will check bank, employer, and tax records
away, so your cash aid will go up. You to check your income, and accepts tips of
can do this by calling your worker. DPSS suspected “welfare fraud” from the public.
may ask you for proof that it has dropped.
The People's Guide 2018 7CalWORKs
5. Get Immunizations (“Shots”) The GAIN program is a work-first program
that provides employment-related services
1. Weekly Participation Hours
Currently, the hours of participation are
For Your Children to help you find employment, stay as follows:
employed, and move to higher paying
When you apply for CalWORKs or at your jobs which lead to self-sufficiency and #of Adults Average Weekly Hours
annual redetermination, you must show independence. in Family of Participation
proof that your children under age 6 have
had their shots. You have 30 days from There is a WtW 24-Month Time Clock Single-adult
the approval of your Medi-Cal, if applying (within the CalWORKs 48-month time with a child
for CalWORKs and Medi-Cal; or 45 days limit). The WtW 24-Month gives you more under 6 years old............ 20
from the approval of CalWORKs and already flexibility in activity options and requires Single-adult
receiving Medi-Cal benefits. fewer participation hours for single-adult with no children
If you do not prove your children are families. under 6 years old............ 30
immunized and do not have good cause (for Two-parent families
example, lack of access, you are a victim During this 24 month period you can (hours may be
of domestic abuse, or a sworn statement participate in several activities to keep combined between
that immunization is against your religious getting cash aid including: both parents).................. 35
or other beliefs), all cash aid to adults will • subsidized or unsubsidized employment
be cut off until you provide the proof. You • education and/or training
can call 211 to find free shots. • mental health, substance abuse, and/
or domestic abuse services.
2.(“Exempt”
Getting Excused from GAIN
or “Good Cause”)
6.Children Age 16 to 19 Must Your county office will send you a notice You may be eligible to be exempt from
Attend School or Participate in before you reach the end of your WtW GAIN or REP if you are:
Welfare-to-Work 24-Month Time Clock. They will also send • A youth under 16 years old
you an appointment to review your WtW • A youth from 16 to 18 in school full time
If your child is over 16 and not attending 24-Month Time Clock with you. After you • Caring for a first child under 12 months
school (reported as "chronic truant" by use up all your months from your WtW old, or any later child under 6 months
the School Attendance Review Board), 24-Month Time Clock, they will provide old
or is not participating in welfare to work you with a shorter list of activities to • Pregnant, and have medical verification
activities without good cause, only that choose from, and instructions on what you that being pregnant harms your ability
child’s cash aid will be cut. The cash grant will need to do next in order to continue to participate or work
will be restored when proof is provided to receiving the same level of cash aid.The • Pregnant, and DPSS decides that work
DPSS that the child is attending school shorter list may include employment, or training is not the right thing to
regularly or has good cause. work experience, and community service. do based on the medical verification
Vocational education and training may also • A full time volunteer in the Volunteer
be allowed for up to one year after your in Service to America (VISTA)
Work Requirements WTW 24-Month Time Clock ends. program.
Any months exempted for the following
The months on your WtW 24 Month Time reasons do not count against the 48 month
Clock may not be months that come in CalWORKs time clock:
As a CalWORKs recipient, you are required
a row, but months added up over all the • Disabled due to a physical or mental
to participate in “Welfare-to-Work” (WtW)
time you are getting aid. Months in which reason for 30 days or more
activities in order to stay on cash aid.
the families meet the federal participation • 60 years or older
Participation in WtW is mandatory for all
requirements do not count towards the • Taking care of an ill or disabled
CalWORKs participants unless you are
WTW 24-Month Time Clock. household member, only if DPSS
exempt or have a “good cause” for non-
agrees that this prevents you from
participation.
Once your WTW 24-Month Time Clock participating in the program or
• Exemptions and “good cause” require
ends, if you do not meet your new working.
documentation, verification, and
participation requirements, your cash aid • Non-parent relative, or caretaker of a
approval of the WtW case manager.
may be lowered and it may affect your child who is a dependent, or a ward
• Exempt participants may volunteer to
supportive services. of the court, or at risk of being placed
participate in WtW activities.
in foster care. DPSS must agree that
The WtW programs in Los Angeles County
Your WTW 24-Month Time Clock Stops When: this harms your ability to participate
are called GAIN (“Greater Avenues for
• You are in appraisal, job search, or work.
Independence”) and REP (Refugee
assessment, or in the process of developing • One time only, you can use the
Employment Program).If you have been in
a new WTW plan. exemption of caring for a child from
the U.S. less than 5 years and have legal
• You are meeting the required number newborn to 23 months old.
immigrant status as a refugee or granted
asylum, you are assigned to the Refugee of participation hours in certain activities.
• You are in Cal-Learn. If you do not qualify for an exemption, you
Employment Program (“REP”).
• You are exempt from participating. may have good cause that excuses you from
• You have a "good cause" reason for at doing something GAIN asks you to do. The
least half the month. 48-month time limit is not stopped by
• You are sanctioned. good cause (see section on next page on
domestic violence for exceptions).
8 The People's Guide 2018CalWORKs
Good cause includes: volunteer or are currently attending school,
you might be eligible to get work-related To request Ancillary/Work-Related Expenses
• Not getting supportive services you need you must provide written verification from
(such as child care and transportation) and transportation services.
your provider or employer. If written
to work or go to a GAIN or REP activity verification is not available, your worker
• Child sick at home from school Services you may be eligible for are:
• Child care (see pg. 20) can assist by contacting the provider/
• No transportation (for example your car employer, with your authorization, to obtain
broke down) • Transportation: includes bus fare,
mileage payment, and payment for verification.
• You are homeless
alternative methods of transportation
such as shuttle, vanpool, carpool, You must provide receipts within 10 days
Domestic Violence Waiver: from the date the payment was issued.
DPSS can waive some of the CalWORKs MetroLink, and taxi.
rules for victims of domestic violence. Domestic Violence Counseling and Protection:
For example they can stop the 48 month How transportation funds are determined:
To find out the right mode of transportation, Survivors of domestic violence can get
time clock, excuse you from going to special help through programs including
GAIN, or stop child support collections. your GAIN/REP worker must determine the
lowest cost to the county, while finding the emergency housing and safety planning,
The domestic violence incident can be counseling, parenting classes, and legal
something that happened in the past or best combination of transportation modes
that will keep the round trip travel time less services that provide help with restraining
in the present. orders and divorces. You do not need
than two hours using public transportation.
If it takes you more than two hours round a police report or other documents.
Exempt people can volunteer and get help. Your sworn statement is enough proof.
You do not have to participate in GAIN or trip by public transportation to travel from
your home to your WtW activity, including Everything you tell the DPSS eligibility
REP if you are excused or exempt. But you worker or GAIN worker will be kept secret
may volunteer to participate. As an exempt walking time, then DPSS can pay you
mileage. The current rate is .51¢ a mile for to the extent of the law.
volunteer, you do not have to do the full 20
hours each week, but you are subject to the first 500 miles per month, and 15¢ per
mile for mileage over 500 miles per month. Mental Health Services: You should receive a
other requirements of GAIN participants. mental health screening during orientation.
You can do as many or as few hours as The mileage rate, however, can change
you are able. DPSS must also pay you for from time to time. Parking expenses can
be reimbursed when the parking expense Also, a DPSS worker can suggest to you
services, like child care and money for that you go to a mental health evaluation
transportation, tools, and books. is necessary to allow you to attend a WtW
activity and/or employment. if they think you have a mental health
barrier to finding or keeping a job. You
3. Learning Disabilities Transportation for Children: can also ask for a mental health evaluation
anytime by calling your eligibility worker
Transportation for children under 13 years
All GAIN participants must be offered a of age is provided when it is necessary or GAIN worker.
learning disability (LD) screening. You can and will help the participant continue in
say you do not want the LD screening, their WtW activity, and/or obtain or retain After the evaluation, you can be referred
but if you change your mind, you can ask employment even if they are not being to a mental health provider for treatment.
for LD screening and evaluation anytime. aided but remain in the household. The GAIN worker must develop your
If the evaluation shows you have a learning welfare-to-work plan based on what your
disability, your welfare-to-work plan must A child over 13 years of age is eligible when: treatment provider recommends.
have activities that help you deal with • The parents are receiving specialized
your learning disability, such as tutoring supportive services (mental health, You have the right to refuse any mental
or extra study time. DPSS must decide domestic violence, substance use disorder) health treatment, but if you do, you can’t
whether job search will be useful for you, • A child is not able to provide self-care. use mental health problems as a reason to
or if your time limits should be extended. not work or not participate in GAIN or REP.
Ancillary Supportive Services include help
If you have already been to assessment, to pay for tools, books, supplies, fees, Substance Use Disorder Services: You can
went through GAIN or REP and failed to clothing, uniforms, car seat/booster, tattoo ask for help with substance use disorder
make satisfactory progress, you may have removal services, and other necessary costs treatment at any time by calling your
the clock stopped on your time limits and specifically required to participate in an eligibility worker or GAIN worker. If you find
changes must be made in your plan with approved WtW activity or to accept a job it difficult to obtain or keep a job because
special help offered to you. or keep a job. of problems with alcohol or drugs, the
DPSS worker can refer you to a substance
In addition, Ancillary Supportive Services use disorder clinical assessment. You
Services To Help You are extended to participants who need may receive help through residential or
reasonable accommodations due to a day treatment: individual, group or family
disability which limits their ability to counseling; rehabilitation services: and
participate In his/her approved WtW activity health care information and referrals. You
In addition to cash aid you get from can continue getting these services as part
and/or employment.
CalWORKs, if you participate in GAIN or of your Welfare-to-Work requirements while
REP, you can get help with transportation receiving cash aid.
Tuition and school fees in the nature
and work-related expenses both before
of tuition are not considered ancillary
and after you reach the CalWORKs
expenses.
48-month time limit. If you are excused
from participating in GAIN but wish to
The People's Guide 2018 9CalWORKs
You can go to a substance use disorder
treatment program as the welfare to work
job search if:
5.Welfare
• It would interfere with a full time job or
Make Job Training Part of Your
to Work Plan
approved training you already have, or
activity. You have the right to refuse any
• You are in the Cal-Learn program or
substance use disorder treatment program
• Doing a job search would not help you You can request that your Employment Plan
as the welfare-to-work activity; however,
(example-you need basic English or includes any work experience or job skills
if you do not go to a treatment program,
literacy training first) training offered by DPSS or other private
you cannot use substance use disorder as
• You are exempt but are requesting to or public agencies. You can request the
a reason to not work or not participate in
participate as an exempt volunteer Transitional Subsidized Employment (TSE)
GAIN or REP.
program if you are interested in working.
Homeless Assistance, Moving Assistance,
Rental Assistance, and Housing Relocation:
3. Assessment There are TSE services available even if
you are homeless. In the TSE Program you
When unsubsidized employment is are paid county minimum wage to work
see pages 12 and 13.
not found within the first three weeks at a non-profit agency (called Paid Work
Experience) or you receive On-the-Job
GAIN and REP of Job Club you will attend Vocational
Assessment at mid-week of the fourth Training at a for-profit business.DPSS, the
week. A Vocational Assessment will community colleges, and adult schools may
Activities help identify your interests and strengths also offer special job training programs for
as well as determine if you have any people with limited English-speaking skills.
1. Appraisal barriers to finding and/or keeping
employment. This information will help the If earnings from the TSE Program cause
Soon after you apply for CalWORKs, you Vocational Assessor develop a personalized your cash aid case to be stopped because
will receive an appointment letter to go Employment Plan. you make too much money, you may be
to an Appraisal appointment. This will eligible to remain in the TSE program for
most likely take longer than one hour. The Your personalized Employment Plan the remainder of the activity to continue to
Online CalWORKs appraisal tool (OCAT) will identify the training, subsidized earn wages even if your CalWORKs case is
will also be conducted at this time if it employment, on-the-job training, and other closed. You may also be eligible to continue
has never been completed. You will meet welfare-to-work activities needed to reach to recieve trnasportation and child care
with your GAIN or REP worker in a one- your employment goal. services. If you voluntarily request to close
on-one meeting where you will talk to your your CalWORKs case or you fail to provide
worker about your work and educational Stand Alone Assessment: Stand Alone information on your CalWORKs case as
history and what kind of services you need Assessment is for participants who, requested by your CalWORKs office, you
to get back to work. If you have problems during their appraisal interview or after become ineligible to continue with the
due to mental health, substance abuse, Job Club are: TSE Program and will be removed from
or domestic violence, tell your worker at the activity immediately.
this time so that you can get services • Employed full or part time
immediately.
Tell your worker if you are already enrolled
• In a Self Initiated Program (SIP) and
need a second activity 6.Employment
If You Don’t Agree On The
or your WtW Plan
• In need of a clinical assessment: or
in an education or training program. It • Post Employment Career Assessment
might qualify as what they call a Self- for participants who are working 20/30/35 If you and the assessor can’t agree on
Initiated Program. This will let you do the hours or more per week and request Post- the employment plan, you can request
education and training as your welfare-to- Employment Services. an independent “third party assessment”
work activity instead of going through Job by another agency. DPSS must let you
know about the third party assessor when
Club and the rest of the GAIN process.
4.Activities
Your Welfare to Work Plan and you disagree and must help you with the
2. Job Club & Job Search request. You and DPSS will be bound by
what this independent assessor decides.
After the assessment you will meet with If you disagree with the result of the third
The first day of Job Club is called
your Worker, to sign a “welfare to work” party assessment, you may request a fair
Orientation. You will get an overview of the
plan in which you agree to go to welfare to hearing (see pg.65).
GAIN progam and help in recognizing the
work activities. The plan must be based on
skills you have that will help you get a job.
the assessment of your needs and skills. If you still think your welfare to work
Your plan can include: plan will not work for you, you have these
The first four weeks of GAIN are spent
• Counseling options:
in Job Club and Job Search. Everyone
• education and training at adult schools • Ask for a change within the first three
will participate in Job Search unless the
or community colleges, days from the date you signed the plan.
welfare department determines that you
Subsidized employment • If you have already begun an activity,
need to first be referred for help with
• ESL,math or GED classes, you have 30 days to request a change
mental health, substance use disorder,
• or other work activities that will help to another activity. Your worker must
domestic violence, high school diploma,
you reach your employment goal. grant your request if the other activity
or if for another reason you are exempt
All WtW participants are required to sign is consistent with your plan and likely
from Job Search. You are also exempt if
a Welfare-to-Work Plan, including those to lead to employment. You can
you completed Job Club/Job Search in
who are employed full-time. request for this grace period only once.
the last 12 months. You don’t have to do
10 The People's Guide 2018CalWORKs
7. Self-Initiated Programs (SIP)
For Students
• Rapid re-employment services
• Mentoring Clock Stoppers or Exemptions
In a family with two aided parents, both
• Mental Health, Domestic Violence,
Substance Use Disorder adults must meet one of the clock stoppers
Self-Initiated Programs (SIP) is a college listed here for the month not to count.
• PES continued case management
or vocational program you chose and
• Referrals to homeless assistance
began on your own before your first GAIN • Sanctioned or No Check—Any month you
programs and services
appointment (appraisal). If on the date do not get a CalWORKs cash aid payment
of your GAIN appraisal you have already for yourself including if you are sanctioned
To continue receiving PES, you will be
enrolled in either an undergraduate degree that month, or you are caring for an aided
required to provide ongoing verification of
or certificate program for school or training, child but not aided yourself
employment to your case manager.
your education or training may count as • Any month that you have been granted
After CalWORKs case ends: GAIN/REP
your GAIN activity. If you already have a an exemption from participation and the
participants who remain employed
4-year college degree, you cannot do a cash aid time limit based on caring for
(20/30/35 hours per week) can continue
SIP unless it is for a teaching credential. a child who is 0-23 months of age (This
receiving PES for up to 12 months from
the CalWORKs termination date. PES for exemption is only available once).
To continue in a SIP you must be making
former CalWORKs participants include
satisfactory progress toward a degree or • Age 60 or over— Any month the parent
supportive services for the educational/
certificate that leads to employment. or caretaker relative is 60 years or older.
training activity.
. • Disabled—Any month you are sick,
If your approved SIP is interrupted because disabled, or injured for 30 days or more
To get more information on PES, contact
of a good reason, such as illness, you can and it interferes with going to work or GAIN.
your GAIN or REP case manager as soon
go back to that program later, as long as you You may be required to provide a doctor’s
as you find employment. or you can call
were in good standing when you left. If your report. This includes mental and physical
toll free (877) 292-4246.
SIP activity weekly hours of participation illness.
are less than the number of hours (for
Transitional CalFresh and Medi-Cal: You can
example 20, 30 or 35) you are required • Domestic Violence—Any month you
continue to get Medi-Cal and CalFresh
to participate, you will have to participate cannot participate in CalWORKs as a
(food stamps) when you leave CalWORKs,
in other welfare to work activities to get result of domestic abuse. You do not have
without having to show that you are eligible
to the total required number of weekly to currently be in an abuse situation. You
for CalFresh, again. You can get these
participation hours. also qualify if you are suffering from the
transitional CalFresh benefits for up to 5
months after leaving CalWORKs. If your effects of past abuse and the effects limit
8. If You Are Working,What's Next? CalWORKs case did not close or was closed
due to an ineligible cause, you cannot get
your ability to go to GAIN or work.. You only
need to tell your worker [“self-declare”]
Post-Employment Services (PES) is available the transitional CalFresh benefits. to qualify; no other proof, not even a
to employed GAIN/REP participants with police report, is required. Your time will
an open CalWORKs case during their Time Limit Rules be extended for as long as you continue
entire CalWORKs 48-month eligibility to suffer from the effects of the abuse or
if they are meeting the required hours Most adults can only receive 48 months are in danger of more violence.
of participation of 20/30/35 hours per (4 years) of cash aid from CalWORKs for • Foster Child Placement or Risk of
week. PES is also available to CalWORKs their whole life. This does not have to be 48 Placement—Any month you are a non-
terminated participants if employed the months in a row. After the adult has been parent relative taking care of a child who
minimum participation requirements for aided 48 months, their part of the grant is a dependent ward of the court or “at
their case (20/30/35 hours per week) for is cut, but their children can still get aid. risk of foster care placement” and that
up to 12 months from their CalWORKs responsibility interfered with regular
termination date. You should apply for an exemption to “stop employment or participation in GAIN
the clock” for any months which should activities. This can exempt, for example,
PES will help you get information, not have been counted in your 48 -month a grandparent under age 60 who could
resources, and tools you need to keep limit, which include the reasons listed in not both be regularly employed and care
your job, improve career possibilities, and the next column under "Clock Stoppers.". for the child.
become financially independent while Your request should be in writing, but can
earning a good living before reaching your be verbal. If all aided adults or relative • Caring For a Sick Family Member—
CalWORKs 48-month time limit. caregivers in the household permanently Any month you are caring for an ill or
fit into one of the groups listed, their clock disabled person living in the home and
Types of services offered through PES: should not run at all. that caretaking interfered with regular
• Career assessment employment or participation in GAIN
• Job retention services DPSS has to send you a written decision activities.
• Educational development within 15 days of the request (unless
• Job skills training something happens that is beyond DPSS • Impairment--Not able to go to GAIN or
• Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) control). If you disagree with the decision employment because of an “impairment,”
counseling you may request a state fair hearing. DPSS for example a learning disability or chronic
• Life skills instruction is required to research your available mental illness. You cannot have broken any
• Supportive services for the education/ case records before asking you to provide GAIN rules to qualify for this, or you must
training or WtW activities (childcare, information or documentation which they show that you were in GAIN for either six
transportation, and ancillary/work- already have in the files. months straight or a total of six months
related expenses) over two years.
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