CalWORKs: victims of domestic violence.

Existing law requires each county to provide cash assistance and other social services to needy families through the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program using federal Temporary Assistance to Needy Families block grant program, and state and county funds. Existing law authorizes a county to excuse a participant from the welfare-to-work requirements for good cause if the person is a victim of domestic violence and participation would be detrimental to or unfairly penalize the individual or his or her family. Existing law also authorizes each county to waive a program requirement at any time for a recipient who is a past or present victim of abuse, as specified. This bill would require the State Department of Social Services to establish a standard, statewide notice to inform all CalWORKs applicants and recipients that victims of abuse have a right to request a waiver of program requirements. The bill would also require the county to waive, for applicants or recipients, program requirements when the requirement would encourage the individual to return to the abuser, or would be detrimental to or unfairly penalize the individual or his or her family, and to waive the welfare-to-work requirements for an applicant or recipient if the county determines that good cause to waive those requirements exists, as specified. The bill would also require counties to use the standard, statewide notice, or an approved county notice, to inform all CalWORKs applicants and recipients of their rights and how to secure a waiver. By increasing the duties of county human services agencies, the bill would impose a state-mandated local 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.