Verification Needed to Establish Eligibility

Deprivation

When determining deprivation, EWs must explore eligibility under ALL possible aid categories.

Deceased

Verification of death (death certificate or other) must be in the case record.

If the only available verification is the client's affidavit (e.g., the parent died in Vietnam and no records are available), the affidavit must be approved by the District Office Manager.

Explore the possibility of Social Security Survivor's Benefits with the applicant. Refer to Deprivation of Parental Support or Care.

Incapacity

Current medical verification must be on file. Refer to Deprivation.

Absence

Notice and Agreement for Child, Spousal and Medical Support (CW 2.1 N&A) and Support Questionnaire (CW 2.1Q) must be completed and signed for each absent parent and for the parents of minor parents.

Referrals to the LCSA must be made, unless the applicant wishes to claim good cause.

If less than a 30-day break in aid, no DCSS referral is needed unless new information is available.

Refer to Common Place Handbook Chapter 14 Child/Medical Support for more information.

Unemployed

All U-parents must file a claim for UIB. Verification of the claim must be on file.

A Request for Information on Termination of Employment (SCD 549B) must be on file if the parent has quit or lost a job within the last 6 months.

Note: The applicant U-parent must have worked less than 100 hours in the four weeks (28 calendar days) prior to the beginning date of aid.

Age, Residence, and Citizenship

Verification of age, residence, and citizenship and/or "qualified non-citizen" status for each individual must be provided and on file. All school age children (aged 6 - 17, 18, if applicable) must meet the school attendance requirement.

The unmarried minor parent under the age of 18 must live in an appropriate adult supervised living arrangement, or meet an exception in order to receive CalWORKs for themselves and their child.

Birth Certificates

Birth certificates or other acceptable verification must be on file for all Assistance Unit (AU) members.

If the applicant's/recipient's birth certificates are viewed, but cannot be imaged, the pertinent information listed below must be recorded on a blank sheet of paper and imaged into the case:

The issuing authority (state, county, church, etc.)
Name of child
Name of father and mother
Date of birth
Place of birth
Any identifying information, including all identifying numbers.

If unable to provide acceptable verification at the time of application, a Sworn Statement (GEN 853) must be obtained from the parent for all children in the AU. Birth certificates can be obtained by our agency, following the procedures on Verification of Birth, Death and Marriage (SCD 109).

Set up the case and give the applicant 90 days in which to obtain birth certificates for all family members included in the AU. Create a reminder to follow up prior to the due date.

Identification

[EAS 40-105.3]

The identity of all adult CalWORKs applicants must be verified in person or virtually to complete the application and eligibility determination process with limited exceptions. The applicant is allowed to choose the method to present their photo identification (ID), provided the method is available to both the applicant and the EW . EWs cannot restrict applicants from utilizing valid methods. The identity requirement also applies to CalWORKs application interviews completed telephonically or through other electronic means. An applicant's failure to provide a photo ID in person or virtually will result in ineligibility for the entire AU.

Important: When a virtual method is used and the EW cannot view and identify the applicant presenting the photo ID, the applicant's identity must be verified in person.

Exempt Persons

The following persons are exempt from providing photo ID in person or virtually:

Non-minor dependents (NMDs), as long as they meet the NMD eligibility criteria and continue to be aided as a NMD in the CalWORKs program. Refer to Non-Minor Dependents.
Non-needy caretaker relatives applying for a relative foster child.
CalWORKs applicants who received CalWORKs, CalFresh, or Medi-Cal prior to July 1, 2018, who are already known to the Statewide Automated Welfare System (SAWS), and whose photo ID is part of the case file.
- These applicants are not required to resubmit their photo ID in person or virtually as part of the verification process, unless the EW has reason to request in person or virtual identity verification in the course of gathering documentation necessary to make an eligibility determination. Continuing current practice, when evidence of identity is conflicting, inconsistent, or incomplete, EWs must require in person or virtual identity verification of applicants, even if already known to the SAWS, to confirm eligibility.

Immediate Needs (IN)

If the applicant is in immediate need of benefits, the county shall verify the applicant’s eligibility for aid and verify their identity within 15 working days from the date of receipt of the IN payment request.

Sworn Statement

When an acceptable photo ID does not exist, an applicant’s sworn statement under penalty of perjury regarding identity will be considered sufficient temporarily. The applicant must still present their photo identification in person or virtually within 15 working days for benefits to be continued.

Income Eligibility

Income eligibility must be established prior to approval of aid. The client must apply for all sources of potential income. Refer to Potentially Available Income [EAS 82-610, 44-103].

Verification of income must be on file.