The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee held an
informational hearing on human services safety net programs in
California this week. The hearing focused on three programs –
Supplemental Security Income/State Supplemental Payment, the
California Work Opportunities and Responsibility to Kids
(CalWORKs), and CalFresh. In addition, the hearing featured
presentations that provided a broad overview of poverty in
California and the factors that contribute to the high poverty
rates.
Speakers included public policy experts, researchers, and program
recipients. Questions from Committee Members focused on the
interaction between these programs, the ability of these programs
to help get individuals out of poverty, and whether certain
existing policies were established at the state or federal level.
The
agenda for the hearing and a
report from the Legislative Analyst’s Office are available
with additional details.
This hearing provided key background information that will help
as the Committee conducts hearings throughout the 2018-19 state
budget process and considers specific budget proposals. It is
likely that the Committee will consider targeted state
investments aimed at reducing poverty. Some of the specific
policy considerations briefly mentioned at this hearing included
increasing grant levels, increasing lifetime limits on
participation, and providing access to CalFresh for former foster
youth.
