CW Update 24-13: Changes to the Continuing Financial Eligibility Test

CalWORKs Handbook

Date	References	Clerical	Implementation
12/18/24	ACL 23-96	N/A	07/01/22

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Background

Assembly Bill (AB) 172 requires an Assistant Unit (AU) to be determined financially ineligible for CalWORKs (CW) when their Net Nonexempt Income (NNI) exceeds the Tier 2 Income Reporting Threshold (IRT).

When an AU's NNI exceeds the Maximum Aid Payment (MAP) but remains below the Tier 2 IRT, the AU may be eligible for a Zero Basic Grant (ZBG).

Changes

The following topics in the CalWORKs Handbook have been revised:

• Recipient Net Income Test
• Income Reporting Threshold (IRT)
• Mandatory Mid-Period Reports

Data Systems

Currently, CalSAWS uses gross non-exempt income when determining eligibility for ZBG. Until SCR CA-274768 is implemented with CalSAWS Release 25.01 (targeted for January 27, 2025), EWs must follow System Announcement (SA) 391: Update EDBC Determination for Zero Basic Grant for CalWORKs to activate/reactivate CW with a ZBG.

Listing

Upon implementation of SCR CA-274768, a one-time listing will be provided for cases after July 2022 where

• the CW eligibility has failed for over income, and
• their NNI remains below the Tier 2 IRT.

Forms

The CalWORKs Budget Worksheet (CW 30) has been revised to reflect the use of NNI for the continuing financial eligibility test. CW 30 (12/23) can be found in the DEBS Forms Library and CalSAWS.

Other Programs

This update also applies to Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA), Entrant Cash Assistance (ECA), and the Trafficking and Crime Victim Assistance Program (TCVAP). 

 

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Department of Employment & Benefits Services

Contact Person(s): Vivien Phan, SSA Business Policy Implementation Specialist, 408-755-7540