CalWORKs: eligibility.

Existing federal law provides for the 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 provides that a parent or caretaker relative shall not be eligible for CalWORKs aid when the parent or caretaker has received aid for a cumulative total of 48 months. Existing law requires a recipient of CalWORKs to participate in welfare-to-work activities as a condition of eligibility, and limits the time period in which a participant may engage in certain activities, in satisfaction of welfare-to-work requirements, to 24 cumulative months during a participant's lifetime. This bill would instead provide that a parent or caretaker relative shall not be eligible for CalWORKs aid when the parent or caretaker has received aid for a cumulative total of 60 months. The bill would also delete the 24-month limitation on certain welfare-to-work activities, and would make other, conforming changes. By increasing county administrative duties relating to the CalWORKs program, the 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 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.