Noncompliance - Establishing Good Cause/No Good Cause

Cause Determination

A cause determination is required when the client is not participating with CalWORKs Employment Services (CWES) program requirements. A client may have good cause or no good cause. Good cause may result in a temporary excuse from participation in Welfare-to-Work (WTW) activities.

[Refer to "Deferred/Good Cause in CalSAWS" for additional information]

The result of the good cause determination must be documented in the Journal Detail page in CalSAWS.

“Good Cause Determination Guidelines” (WTW 26)

The WTW 26 is a recommended form that provides a list of common good cause reasons for nonparticipation to assist the Associate Employment Counselor (AEC)/Employment Counselor (EC) in determining good cause. Other good cause reasons for not participating may be presented to the AEC/EC for consideration.

Good Cause Criteria

An individual may be excused from participation for good cause if they qualify for an exemption or if they meet one of the established good cause criteria.

[Refer to "Exemptions Policy" and "Deferred/Good Cause in CalSAWS" for additional information.]

Note: The WTW exemption for providing care to a young child 0-23 months does not automatically resolve noncompliance or cure a WTW sanction (client must request the exemption to become exempt or indicate an intent to participate as a mandatory client). The "CalWORKs Exemption Request Form" (CW 2186A) is to be mailed to the client at the point of initiating the noncompliance process. [Refer to "Noncompliance Process Guidance/Initiating Noncompliance" for additional information.]

Good Cause

If good cause exists, the AEC/EC will do the following, as appropriate:

• Determine if the problem(s) causing the noncompliance has been resolved and if the individual can resume participation without further interruption.
• Identify and arrange for immediate additional supportive services (if needed) that will allow for participation.
• Determine with the individual if participation in another activity (within regulations) would be appropriate.
• Determine if a temporary postponement of activity participation is appropriate.
• Determine if an exemption review is appropriate.
• Change or stop supportive services as appropriate.
• Issue the Notice of Action - Determination of Good Cause/No Good Cause (NA 840 A).

“Determination of Good Cause/No Good Cause” (NA 840 A)

The NA 840 A is used to inform a client who has contacted the county within the 20-day period whether good cause has or has not been granted. It is not used if the client does not contact the county within the 20-day period or submit the Request for Good Cause Determination (WTW 27) form, and the county’s effort to establish good cause over the telephone failed.

AECs/ECs must determine whether good cause exists before imposing a WTW sanction, including assessing whether the participant lacked available child care at the time they were expected to participate in their assigned WTW activity.  

[Refer to "Noncompliance Process Guidance/Participant Has Good Cause While in Noncompliance" for additional information.]

No Good Cause

If there is a determination of no good cause, then a compliance plan must be signed and agreed to by the client. [Refer to "Noncompliance Process Guidance/Participant Does Not Have Good Cause and is Placed in a Compliance Plan" for additional information.]