Federal/State Disasters - Questions & Answers

As a condition of CalWORKs eligibility, applicants/recipients are required to submit SSNs. Individuals who are unable to furnish SSNs must apply to the SSA to get a replacement card and supply verification of their completed application before aid may be authorized. However, if the applicant has made a good-faith effort to apply but is unable to quickly obtain verification of a completed application, the county shall temporarily accept the evacuee’s statements regarding these facts signed under penalty of perjury.

RCA/ECA applicants are exempt from the provision of SSNs. The same standard applies to TCVAP applicants/recipients. Counties must not require RCA/ECA/TCVAP applicants to provide SSNs in order to be found eligible for benefits. The counties may request the applicants to voluntarily provide the SSN if the applicants are informed that is not a requirement and the intended use for the SSN.

Yes, all AUs subject to Semi-Annual/Annual Reporting are expected to file their reports in a timely manner. However, the good cause rules for late filing apply to reports filed late because of the disaster. For semi-annual reports, if the report is filed in the first month after it is due, the county must evaluate good cause for late filing and if good cause is found, the discontinuance for late filing is rescinded. If the report is filed after the first month after it is due, the county must evaluate good cause upon request of the parent, other caretaker relative or an authorized representative.

For annual redetermination, if the report is filed in the first month after it is due, the county must evaluate good cause for late filing upon the recipient’s request. If good cause is found, the discontinuance for late filing is rescinded. If the report is filed after the first month after it is due, the county must evaluate good cause upon request of the parent, other caretaker relative or an authorized representative.