Paper Warrant or Check

For recurring benefits, paper warrants are generated from CalSAWS during the FME batch process. These warrants are delivered to SSA the morning after FME and are prepared for mailing. Warrants are mailed in a timely fashion so that they are available to clients on the first of the month, or on the previous day, when the first of the month falls on a Sunday or holiday. Paper warrants are also generated from CalSAWS on a daily basis and are mailed to the client/payee the following day. Online benefits are generated through CalSAWS as a check which is hand-issued to the payee in the DO.

Terminology Definition

Note: CalSAWS uses different terminology. For CalSAWS purposes, a "check" is issued to the client on the same day by the DOFC with an issuance method of "Office Pickup". A "warrant" is issued via overnight batch.

Paper warrants are issued for the following programs/payments:

AAP
FC
CWES payments
Cash Assistance cases exempt from EBT
GA Vendor and Transportation Payments, and
Miscellaneous CalWORKs payments, (i.e., HA payments,
Cal-Learn payments, Diversion payments, etc.).

Note: With implementation of EBT, the majority of cash assistance benefits are now issued via EBT.

Securing Warrant (Check) Stock

Blank laser check stock used to issue IN checks must be secured in the safe in the DOs when not being used for benefit issuance purposes. When an immediate BI check is required, the stock can be removed from the safe by authorized staff, and loaded into the printer. Immediately after the printing process, the check stock MUST be returned to the safe for security purposes. Both before and after printing, the remaining check stock needs to be accounted for by the supervisor to ensure that no laser check is left unaccounted for. Each DO BI CalSAWS Printer is now labeled with this information on the door to the printer: "NOTICE: Return Warrant Stock to Safe after each Print Job." In case of problems or questions, Supervisors and/or OMCs may contact Benefits Issuance Unit at (408) 755-7237 or warrantcontrol@ssa.sccgov.org.

Cashing Paper Warrants

This section provides information and steps to be taken by staff when a client is experiencing difficulty cashing his/her warrant.

Warrant Cashing Resources

A random sample was taken of returned cashed warrants and it revealed that recipients most commonly use the following resources for cashing their warrants:

Banks
Grocery stores, other small businesses.

Banks

Recipients interested in using a bank as a warrant cashing resource should be informed that many banks will require that an account be established. In order to open an account, banks often require the applicant to produce an acceptable ID (e.g., California Drivers License or California ID Card), and a major credit card. In addition, most banks require a minimum balance be maintained in order to cash checks.

JP Morgan Chase

Welfare assistance checks/warrants can be cashed at any JP Morgan Chase branch office. Due to compliance issues and the “Know your Client” requirement of the “PATRIOT ACT,” JP Morgan Chase is only able to cash items for consumers with valid legal ID. Two forms of ID are required; only one needs to be a valid PHOTO ID, such as government issued drivers license, state ID, military ID, Consular IDs (with photo) from Mexico, Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Guatemala. A secondary ID is required and can be any document that is issued in the name of the individual presenting the ID that matches the primary ID, that has not expired and has their signature (i.e., credit card, Social Security card, school ID, or EBT Card).

Grocery Stores and Other Small Businesses

For recipients who do not have a bank account and do not plan to open an account, the best warrant cashing resource are stores where recipients are known and regularly do business with customers. Many grocery stores and businesses provide check cashing as part of their customer service. Being recognized as a regular customer is usually helpful in getting a check cashed. Larger chain stores may have policies requiring an ID and credit reference similar to bank requirements.

Identification Cards (State IDs)

Recipients who experience check cashing problems and do not have a driver's license or other ID cards in their possession need to be informed of the availability of California State ID Cards. These cards can be obtained from the DMV for a reduced fee of $8 and proof of birth, or a Resident Noncitizen Card or passport, if born in another country.

The DMV has one telephone number for the general public, which is (800) 777-0233. DMV offices located in SCC are as follows:

111 W. Alma Avenue, San Jose
180 Martinvale Lane, San Jose (Blossom Valley)
2222 Senter Rd, San Jose
600 N. Santa Cruz Avenue, Los Gatos
3665 Flora Vista Avenue, Santa Clara
6984 Chestnut Street, Gilroy

“Certification of Identification Document” (CW 54)

The CalSAWS “Certification of Identification Document” (CW 54) form may be of some help to recipients in their effort to develop a warrant cashing resource. The procedure for issuing a CW 54 is as follows:

The Recipient locates potential check cashing resource and requests a Certification of Identification Document.
The EW prints a CW 54. Enter any additional required information.
The Recipient signs the CW 54 in the presence of the EW.
The EW:
1. Signs the CW 54.
2. Places the CW 54 in an envelope with the name and address of the check cashing resource typed on the front.
3. Mails the CW 54 to the warrant cashing resource, OR
4. Gives the CW 54 to the recipient in a sealed envelope with the name and address of the check cashing resource typed on the front and SSA office address stamp across the sealed flap.
  1. Note: JP Morgan Chase will NOT cash SSA Warrants/Checks without a valid picture ID, due to compliance issues and the “Know your Client” requirement of the “PATRIOT ACT.” JP Morgan Chase is only able to cash items for consumers with valid legal ID that includes a photo. JP Morgan Chase will accept:
    1. State-issued driver's license or ID cards
    2. Matricula Consular cards (for specific countries)
    3. Military ID