Companion Cases

Definition

Companion cases are defined as persons on any aid at the same address, or in the same unit of a multi-unit dwelling.

Policy

Companion cases which are assigned to different caseloads are extremely error prone, since changes to one case can affect the other cases. There is no effective way to establish continued communication between workers. Therefore, to ensure changes are being reported/applied accurately to all cases in the same household, with rare exceptions, companion cases will be assigned within the same caseload.

Guidelines

• Companion cases will be assigned to the same continuing caseload whenever possible. Whenever companion cases are identified at Intake, they should also be assigned to one worker for processing. If companion cases are not identified until they have been assigned to separate workers, those workers must collaborate to confirm correct eligibility.
• Cases with special programs or languages will be assigned per District Office procedures.

Exceptions

• GA workers do not carry CalWORKs cash aids.
• The following cases are NEVER considered companion cases:
  • BSC cases
  • Foster Care/Adoption Assistance/Kin-Gap
  • IHSS cases.

Related Topics

Case Responsibility, Transfers, & Closed Cases Overview