CalWORKs benefits: pregnant mothers.

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 under which, through a combination of state and county funds and federal funds received through the TANF program, each county provides cash assistance and other benefits to qualified low-income families. Under existing law, for a family that does not include a needy child qualified for CalWORKs benefits, a pregnant mother is eligible for aid for the month in which the birth is anticipated, and the 3 months immediately prior to that month. However, CalWORKs aid is required to be paid to a pregnant woman who is also eligible for the Cal-Learn Program, as specified, at any time after verification of pregnancy. This bill would require CalWORKs aid to be paid to a pregnant mother who is 18 years of age or younger at any time after verification of pregnancy, when the Cal-Learn Program is operative, regardless of whether she is eligible for the Cal-Learn Program. The bill would provide that CalWORKs aid would otherwise be paid to a pregnant mother in the month in which the birth is anticipated, and the 3 months immediately prior to that month. Because the bill would expand eligibility for CalWORKs aid under some circumstances, the bill would increase the duties of counties in administering the program, thus imposing 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 bill. 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.