The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) released new
guidance on Employment Services provisions in the California Work
Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program,
through an
All County Welfare Directors Letter (ACWDL). The guidance
encourages counties to minimize the fiscal impacts on families,
during a time of economic uncertainty, while continuing to
support them through supportive services.
Federal and state statute and regulations require families
enrolled in the CalWORKs program to participate in
Welfare-to-Work (WTW) activities designed to promote
self-sufficiency through education and job placements. Families
who are not exempt from this requirement may receive a financial
penalty if they do not comply with the program rules. As
the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect all industries
throughout the country, including education, requiring all
CalWORKs families to continue to meet the WTW requirements could
be particularly devastating to these low income families. To
mitigate financial impacts, CDSS has temporarily instructed
counties to:
Issue temporary and blanket good cause for not meeting
CalWORKs WTW requirements. This includes good cause or exemptions
for initial engagement activities, such as, the WTW Orientation,
the Online CalWORKs Appraisal Tool (OCAT), and Family
Stabilization.
Cure sanctions for individuals who failed to participate in
an activity that is no longer available, appropriate or required,
including due to good cause. County Welfare Departments (CWDs)
are encouraged to complete prepopulated Cure Sanction Plans for
participants to sign without the participant requesting one.
Avoid imposing sanctions on individuals who are currently in
noncompliance status.
Update their Expanded Subsidized Employment (ESE) plans if
they continue to subsidize wages through the ESE program, even if
the worksites are closed due to COVID-19.
Utilize county discretion regarding documentation and
verification practices in order to continue providing WTW
supportive services.
The temporary instructions from CDSS in this ACWDL will expire on
June 30, 2020.
