Ancillary Expenses

Introduction

Santa Clara County provides maximum supportive services to assist clients in their efforts towards self-sufficiency.

The regular and appropriate payment of supportive services may make the difference, whether or not an individual can participate in a CWES activity. This chapter provides guidance on ancillary payments only. Transportation, child care, vehicle repair and post-aid services are covered under their respective chapters.

Policy

[EAS 42-750.113]

Ancillary Expenses Eligibility

Regulations allow the CWES Program to pay ancillary expenses, when necessary, for an active or post-aid client or to a participating Cal-Learn teen to:

Participate in the program activity to which he or she is assigned
Accept employment (including job search)
Retain or advance in employment.

An individual is considered a CWES client if he/she has attended Orientation and the “Welfare-to-Work Plan Rights and Responsibilities” (WTW 1) and the “Welfare-to-Work Plan Activity Agreement” (WTW 2) have been signed. The client does not have to wait until he/she starts the referred activity in order to be eligible for ancillary expenses.

Note: CWES clients who have the Domestic Abuse exemption are eligible for ancillary services. The client does not have to be participating in a CWES activity if the SW has recommended counseling or other treatment as part of their DV plan. Refer to Domestic Abuse (DA) - Program Overview for more detailed information.

Needs Review

CWES Workers MUST review the need for ancillary expenses at the following times:

During the CWES Orientation
During the development of the WTW Plan
Whenever the client enters into an approved activity
Whenever there is a change in the client’s approved activity
When the client accepts employment
Whenever the client’s cash aid discontinues and the client is eligible for “post-aid services.”

Payment Methods

Ancillary payments for participants of one-parent households are to be issued via Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) or warrant as an exception.

Ancillary payments for participants of two-parent households can be issued via EBT to the parent to whom the EBT card was issued. The second parent, who does not have an EBT card, must have their Ancillary payments issued via warrant.

Cal-Learn participants who are 18 years or older and have their own cases are to have Ancillary payments issued via EBT or warrant as an exception. All other Cal-Learn participants must have their Ancillary payments issued via warrant.