CalWORKs: maximum aid payments.

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 block grant program, under which each county provides cash assistance and other benefits to qualified low-income families. Existing law continuously appropriates moneys from the General Fund to defray a portion of county aid grant costs under the CalWORKs program. Under existing law, for purposes of determining a family's maximum aid payment under the CalWORKs program, the number of needy persons in the same family is not increased for any child born into a family that has received aid under the CalWORKs program continuously for the 10 months prior to the birth of the child, with specified exceptions. This bill would, commencing January 1, 2012, revise the exceptions to the maximum aid payment provisions described above, also referred to as the Maximum Family Grant rule (MFG) ,to include an exception for a child who is disabled, pursuant to specified federal law. By expanding eligibility under the CalWORKs program, this bill would make an appropriation. To the extent that this bill affect affects eligibility under the CalWORKs program, the bill would create a state-mandated 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.