Expanded THA

[EAS 44-211.527]

Expanded Temporary Homeless Assistance (THA) is also often referred to as Expanded THA for Victims of Domestic Abuse (DA), Expanded Temp Homeless Assistance (HA) for Victims of DA, or Assembly Bill (AB) 557 benefits.

Eligibility

A CalWORKs applicant shall be deemed to be experiencing homelessness (even if the applicant has not yet spent a night homeless) and shall be eligible for up to 32 days of Expanded THA if they:

Are determined to be apparently eligible for CalWORKs (refer to the Apparent Eligibility section of Homeless Assistance Program Eligibility), and
Provide a sworn statement on the Statement of Facts - Homeless Assistance (CW 42) that they are actively fleeing past or present domestic abuse (DA).

The income and assets of the alleged abuser are not considered when determining eligibility for Expanded THA.

Initial eligibility for Expanded THA is reserved for CalWORKs applicants while the CalWORKs application is in pending status, but an Assistance Unit (AU) may utilize their remaining Expanded THA regardless of whether they are a CalWORKs applicant or recipient, as long as they meet all eligibility requirements.

Note: Expanded THA is not available for incoming CalWORKs inter-county transfers (ICTs), unless the AU previously received Expanded THA as a CalWORKs applicant.

Once in a Lifetime

Expanded THA benefits issued to applicants as a result of fleeing DA are:

Allowed once in a lifetime,
In addition to any other HA benefit the AU may be eligible to receive, including regular THA and Permanent Homeless Assistance (PHA) benefits, and
Not counted against the once-a-year HA exception, including those exceptions based on DA.

Issuance of Benefits

The 32 days of Expanded THA are available in two 16-day increments and may be used any time the family is experiencing homelessness and meets Expanded THA eligibility.

The first payment is issued in a lump sum payment equal to 16 days of THA on the day of application.
If the CalWORKs application is still in pending status or has been approved after the initial issuance, the second 16-day payment of Expanded THA, equaling a total of 32 cumulative days, may be issued if they are fleeing DA.

The Social Services Benefits Specialist (SSBS) must inform the applicant that the second 16-day lump sum is available to them as needed and does not need to be issued consecutively. Because the two 16-day increments do not need to be used consecutively, the second issuance could be for a different instance of homelessness, months or years later, as long as the applicant meets the eligibility criteria for these benefits. A new CW 42 is not required. Families are still limited to a maximum of 32 days of these benefits in their lifetime.

Note: The SSBS must make 16 days of Expanded THA available at a time to the family, unless the family requests fewer than 16 days.

ExampleExample An applicant family fleeing DA applies for CalWORKs and HA and is apparently eligible; however, it is missing some mandatory verification. While the application is in pending status, Expanded THA may be granted. The initial issuance will be made in a lump sum payment of 16 days. The family provides the necessary verification to approve the CalWORKs application prior to the 16th day, and on day 17, requests additional Expanded THA due to fleeing DA. The second issuance of the Expanded THA may be granted in another 16-day lump sum issuance.

ExampleExample An applicant family that is fleeing DA receives their first issuance of 16 days of Expanded THA, and then returns to their abuser before receiving the second issuance of 16 days. If they are fleeing the abuser again at a later date, they may get the second issuance of 16 days of Expanded THA, if otherwise eligible. Once a family has utilized all 32 days of benefits, they will have exhausted their once in a lifetime benefit for Expanded THA for applicants who are fleeing DA.

ExampleExample On February 15, a mother applies for CalWORKs and Expanded THA and states that she is fleeing DA. She provides an SSN for herself and her two children. She tells the SSBS that she left her children at her husband’s house, but plans to get them as soon as she has somewhere to take them. She has a joint bank account with her husband, but is afraid to access the money. The CW 42 is completed, which includes the sworn statement stating that she is fleeing DA, and the SSBS determines her apparently eligible for CalWORKs and issues 16 days of Expanded THA. On March 2, she returns to the office, provides verification of shelter cost, requests, and is given another lump sum payment for 16 additional days of Expanded THA. On March 15, the SSBS determines that the income and assets of her abuser are not available to meet her family’s needs, and the CalWORKs application is approved. If she is still homeless, she is potentially eligible for regular, once-a-year THA and PHA, THA based on a DA exception, as well as additional housing supportive services through the CalWORKs Housing Support Program (CalWORKs HSP, also known as CHSP). Refer to CalWORKs Housing Support Program.

ExampleExample On February 15, a mother who is fleeing her abuser applies for CalWORKs and Expanded THA. She completes the CW 42, which includes the sworn statement that she is fleeing her abuser, and is given 16 days of Expanded THA that day. On March 1, her CalWORKs application is approved. If she continues to be homeless, the second 16 days of Expanded THA can be issued. Additionally, if still homeless, the family is potentially eligible for regular THA and PHA, as well as THA based on a DA exception. She is reminded that she now must show proof of her daily permanent housing search or request good cause. The recipient is also encouraged to utilize CalWORKs HSP as appropriate.

ExampleExample On March 1, a mother applies for CalWORKs and Expanded THA and completes the CW 42. On March 1, she receives her first 16 days of Expanded THA payment. On March 5, she moves back in with her abuser. On August 5, she leaves the abuser and is fleeing DA and reapplies for CalWORKs. She is eligible for the second 16 days of Expanded THA. She has now exhausted the Expanded THA once in a lifetime benefit. She may be eligible for the once every 12-months THA and PHA, and an HA exception if she meets the criteria.

Evidence of Search for Permanent Housing

Expanded THA applicants are exempt from providing proof of their search for permanent housing, unless granted an immediate need payment or are issued the first month of CalWORKs.

Good Cause

While CalWORKs recipients in receipt of regular THA are not exempt from providing proof of their search for permanent housing, the SSBS is strongly encouraged to grant good cause if the housing search criteria are not met, as these clients are fleeing DA.

Mismanagement of Funds

Expanded THA applicants are required to provide verification of monies spent on shelter costs. If the applicant fails to provide verification that the initial 16-day payment was spent on shelter, then the final payment must be issued by vendor pay following the “restricted payment” process. Refer to Homeless Assistance Payment Information.

Important: When issuing restricted payments, the SSBS must take all health and safety concerns of these applicants into consideration.

Overpayment

The Expanded THA payment is not considered an overpayment if it is later determined that the AU is not eligible for CalWORKs, as long as the applicant was eligible for the Expanded THA at the time of application.

An overpayment may exist if it is later determined that the applicant was not eligible for the Expanded THA benefits due to a misrepresentation of facts (i.e., it is determined that the client was not fleeing DA).

ExampleExample On February 15, a father applies for CalWORKs and Expanded THA and completes the CW 42, answering the question that he is fleeing DA. On February 15, he receives his first 16 days of Expanded THA payments. On March 1, the CalWORKs application is denied because he reports that he got a job that put him over the CalWORKs income limit. As he is no longer an apparently eligible applicant, he is not eligible for the second 16 days of Expanded THA benefits. Additionally, since he was eligible for the first 16 days of Expanded THA benefits when he received them, the payment is not an overpayment.