Public assistance: personal interviews.

Existing law provides for protection, care, and assistance for people of the state by providing appropriate aid and services to the needy and distressed. Programs established for this purpose include the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids program (CalWORKs) , which provides cash assistance and other social services to needy families, using federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant program, state, and county funds. Existing law prohibits an applicant from being granted public assistance under CalWORKs until he or she is personally interviewed by the county human services agency or state hospital staff. This bill would authorize the county human services agency or state hospital staff to conduct this personal interview telephonically or through electronic means. The bill would require a face-to-face interview to be conducted if requested by an applicant or recipient. By imposing a higher level of service on county human services agencies administering the CalWORKs program, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would authorize the State Department of Social Services to implement the bill by means of all-county letters or similar instructions. The bill would also delete an obsolete cross-reference. 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.