CalWORKs: eligibility.

Existing law provides for the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program, under which each county provides cash assistance and other benefits to qualified low-income families and individuals. Existing law prohibits the granting of CalWORKs aid to a child who has attained 18 years of age unless the child is less than 19 years of age, is attending high school or vocational training on a full-time basis, and is reasonably expected to complete the educational or training program before his or her 19th birthday. This bill would extend this exception to make a person who is less than 20 years of age eligible for CalWORKs assistance if he or she is attending high school or vocational training on a full-time basis and is reasonably expected to complete the educational or training program before his or her 20th birthday. By expanding eligibility for CalWORKs, which is administered by counties, this bill would impose 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 the statutory provisions noted above.