CWES Referrals

[EAS 42-701]

All CalWORKs clients must be referred to CalWORKs Employment Services (CWES) unless they are exempt from participation. The state requires counties to complete an initial Welfare-to-Work (WTW) plan within 90 days of establishing CalWORKs eligibility for each WTW client. The Social Services Benefits Specialist (SSBS) must ensure that the client understands their responsibility to cooperate with CWES.

CalWORKs Exemption Request Form (CW 2186A)

If the client requests consideration for an exemption, the SSBS must issue the CW 2186A to the client to determine if the client is exempt from CWES participation. All exemptions must be verified.

The CW 2186A must be provided by the SSBS when the client:

Requests to be exempt from CWES participation, or
Disagrees with the CWES participation requirement.

CalWORKs Exemption Determination (CW 2186B)

The CW 2186B must be completed by the SSBS and provided to the client who requests an exemption. The CW 2186B is used for notification of the exemption approval or denial. The original CW 2186B is given to the client, and a copy is imaged into the case.

Mandatory and Voluntary Referrals

The SSBS must refer all mandatory and voluntary CalWORKs clients to CWES at the following times:

At intake, after a break in aid of more than 30 days,
When a previously exempt individual loses their exemption,
When an exempt individual volunteers to participate,
At redetermination (RD), if the individual's status has changed.

A volunteer may withdraw from CWES participation without any financial sanction as long as they remain exempt. Volunteers who fail to show at orientation will be immediately de-registered.

Informing Requirements

Inform clients of the following:

Their rights and responsibilities and the financial sanction penalties for non-cooperation.
Requirement to attend CWES Orientation (they will receive an appointment notice in the mail).

Referral When Employment Services Status Changes

When an individual’s Employment Services registration status changes, the SSBS must take appropriate action to modify the Employment Services pages in CalSAWS.

Change the employment registration requirement in CalSAWS when the status of the individual changes: