CalWORKs: temporary homeless assistance.

(1) 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. Existing law establishes maximum aid grant amounts to be provided under the CalWORKs program, and generally prohibits cost-of-living adjustments to those maximum aid grant amounts. Under existing law, after a family has used all available liquid resources in excess of $100, the family is entitled to receive an allowance for nonrecurring special needs, including homeless assistance. Under existing law, homeless assistance is provided in the amount of $65 per day for families of up to 4 members, with an additional $15 provided for the 5th and each additional member, up to a daily maximum of $125. This bill would increase the amount of homeless assistance to $75 per day for families of up to 4 members, and would increase the daily maximum to $135. The bill would require that this amount be adjusted annually to reflect any increases or decreases in the cost of living. The bill would also require the State Department of Social Services to issue an all-county letter or similar instructions by April 1, 2015, and to adopt regulations to implement the provisions of the bill by July 1, 2016. By increasing the amount of cash aid provided by counties, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. (2) Existing law continually appropriates money from the General Fund to pay for a share of aid grant costs under the CalWORKs program. This 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. (3) 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.