Noncompliance - Curing a Sanction
Curing Rules
A sanctioned client can come in to stop a sanction at any time. The requirements to cure a financial sanction are the same regardless of whether it is before or after the sanction is imposed.
Curing when Meeting Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Federal WPR
When a CalWORKs individual who is in a WTW sanction status is discovered, either during the monthly federal WPR sample review or at any other time, to be meeting federal WPR, the sanction must be automatically cured, and aid must be restored effective the first of the month following the month in which it was discovered that WPR was being met. The requirement to assign the client back to the previous activity from which the client became sanctioned, or to complete the 30-day curing period or end of the activity (whichever is sooner), does not apply.
Note: Distance Learning only, for the federal WPR sample month, would not be considered as an activity that the client would be scheduled to meet outside of the sample month; and is therefore not an allowable activity for the purpose of the automatic lift. Allowable activities include employment and school.
When the sanction is lifted, the client can sign a Welfare-to-Work Plan Activity Assignment (WTW 2) while in the office, or the WTW 2 can be mailed to them with instructions to return the signed plan along with any supporting verification, such as employment verification.
Curing Period
There is no minimum sanction period for a client to cure a financial sanction; however, before cash aid can be restored, individuals must satisfactorily participate in the activity(ies) specified on the Plan to Meet Welfare-to-Work Rules and Get My Cash Aid Back (WTW 29) until completed, or up to a maximum of 30 calendar days, whichever is shorter.
Curing Sanctions for STEP Participants
Clients enrolled full-time in STEP-eligible educational institutions are considered to be meeting WTW participation requirements and are not required to participate for 30 days before their sanction is lifted. Receipt of proof of full-time enrollment and determination of STEP eligibility is considered the date on which the client successfully performed the sanction curing activity. This may also be used as the date they indicated the desire to cure their sanction if not previously communicated.
| Example: A 30 hour per week participant who has been sanctioned for not participating in their WTW activity attends a CWES Orientation and Appraisal on March 16, 2026. While meeting with their assigned AEC/EC on March 16, 2026, the participant provides proof of full-time enrollment at Evergreen Valley College. Since the participant is enrolled full-time, they are considered to be meeting their WTW participation requirements. A WTW 29 must be completed. The date March 16, 2026, must be entered in both the Begins and Ends fields on the WTW 29. The participants grant will be restored effective April 1, 2026. |
Request to Meet Welfare to Work Rules to Get My Cash Aid Back (WTW 31) and Contact Date
The WTW 31 instructs clients on the steps to have their cash aid restored and begin participating in WTW activities again. The Associate Employment Counselor (AEC)/Employment Counselor (EC) will mail a WTW 31 with the Would you Like to Have your Cash Aid Back (SCD 194) flyer. The WTW 31 will also be made available in district office lobbies.
Clients can also make a verbal request to cure a sanction to have their cash aid restored. The worker must document any verbal requests made by a client who wishes to have their cash aid restored. It is essential to document the date of the verbal request, since this date controls when aid is restored once the client has successfully completed their WTW 29.
Scheduling Curing Plan Appointment
Once the client contacts the county, the AEC/EC must schedule an appointment to meet with the individual to discuss and sign the WTW 29 within 10 calendar days of:
- The date the client speaks with the county to inform them of their wish to have their cash aid restored; or
- The receipt date of the completed WTW 31 form.
Note: If the client fails to sign a Curing Plan within 10 calendar days of the contact date, then the next time the client makes contact, a new record of WTW program status Non-Comp with a Status Reason of In process of curing sanction would need to be added with a new Curing Contact Date in CalSAWS.
[Refer to "Noncompliance Process Guidance/Registering After a Sanction – Intent to Cure Sanction" for additional information.]
Plan to Meet Welfare to Work Rules and Get My Cash Aid Back (WTW 29)
The WTW 29 must be signed by the client to indicate that they agree to complete the activities as described in the plan; otherwise, cash aid will not be restored. The WTW 29 can be completed in person or by mail. This form is used to inform clients of:
- Their rights and responsibilities pertaining to the plan,
- The activity they must perform to be able to receive aid again,
- The dates that the activity begins and ends, and
- The date that aid will be restored once the requirements have been met.
The curing period begins the date the client signs the WTW 29 in a face-to-face meeting, or the date the AEC/EC informs the individual by telephone (informing date) about the specifics of his or her curing plan. In CalSAWS, on the Activity Agreement Detail page of the WTW 29, enter date client signed the WTW 29 in the Signature Date field.
Note: The WTW 29 does NOT replace the WTW 2. A new WTW 2 must be signed and a WTW Plan entered into CalSAWS to reflect the activity(ies) that will continue once the sanction is lifted.
[Refer to "Noncompliance Process Guidance/Participant is Assigned to a Curing Sanction Activity - Curing Plan" for additional information.]
If the activity lasts longer than 30 calendar days, the individual is considered to have met program requirements, after participating for up to 30 calendar days from the date that the plan is signed.
“Request to Meet Welfare to Work Rules to Get My Cash Aid Back” (WTW 31) and Contact Date
The WTW 31 instructs clients on the steps to get cash aid back, have aid restored, and begin participating in WTW activities again. The EC will mail a WTW 31 with the “Would You Like to Have Your Cash Aid Back” flyer (SCD 194). The WTW 31 will also be made available in district office lobbies.
Clients can also make a verbal request to cure a sanction to have their cash aid restored. The worker must document any verbal requests made by a client who wishes to have their cash aid restored. It is essential to document the date of the verbal request since this date controls when aid is restored once the client has successfully completed their “Plan to Meet Welfare to Work Rules and Get My Cash Aid Back” (WTW 29).
"Plan to Meet Welfare to Work Rules and Get My Cash Aid Back" (WTW 29)
When a client contacts the county to request their cash aid, the client MUST sign the WTW 29 indicating that he or she agrees to complete the activities on the “plan” before cash aid is restored.
If the activity lasts longer than 30 calendar days, the individual is considered to have met program requirements, after participating for up to 30 calendar days from the date that the plan is signed.
A client failed to participate in a three-month community service assignment. To cure, she would normally be scheduled to participate for 30 days of community service from the date she signed her plan; however, the county is not able to place the individual in the community service activity until ten days after she signs her plan. She is, therefore, only required to participate for 20 calendar days to get her cash aid back.
WTW 29 by Phone
When a client is determined to have no good cause for not participating in WTW activities, their cash aid is reduced. In these instances, a WTW 29 may be completed by telephone. If the individual agrees to a plan over the telephone, the AEC/EC must take the following steps:
- Update the WTW program status to Non-Comp with a Status Reason of In process of curing sanction, and enter the contact date in the Curing Contact Date field in CalSAWS.
- Develop the WTW 29 by telephone.
- Inform the client of their requirements (assigned activity, provider location, starting and ending date of participation, etc.).
Note: The date on which the county informed the client about the specifics of their plan by telephone (informing date) is considered the date that the client signs the plan for purposes of beginning the maximum 30-calendar day curing period.
- Document in the Journal Detail page.
- Forward a copy of the WTW 29 to Imaging to be scanned.
- Mail two (2) copies of the WTW 29 to the client (one to sign and return and the other to keep for their records), including a self-addressed stamped envelope. The WTW 29 may be signed via DocuSign.
Note: The client must sign and return the plan to the county, postmarked or DocuSigned no later than the date indicated on the WTW 29 (10 calendar days from the “informing date” noted above) and participate as instructed by the county over the telephone and/or as noted on the WTW 29, or the cash aid remains reduced until they contact the county to restart and complete the curing process.
- Receive the signed WTW 29 from the client.
- Document action taken in the Journal Detail page.
- Forward a copy of the signed WTW 29 to Imaging for scanning.
- Monitor that the client participates until the end of the activity or the 30 day maximum.
A client contacts the county on July 15 and wishes to cure her sanction. The client does not live close to the county office and wants to discuss the curing requirements over the telephone and have the plan mailed. The worker locates an appropriate activity for the individual on July 20 and contacts her on July 21, within the 10-calendar day time frame, to communicate the details of the activity as well as mail the curing plan.
The client receives the curing plan on July 23, and signs, dates, and returns the plan to the county on July 25, within the return period noted in the signature section of the curing plan. Her activity also begins July 25 and she would normally be required to participate in the activity 30 calendar days. Because she cannot be required to participate longer than 30 calendar days from the sign date of the curing plan (in this case, the informing date of July 21), she can only be required to participate until August 19 (a total of 26 days).
If the client fails to sign and return the curing plan, postmarked no later than the return date indicated on the WTW 29, or fails to participate as agreed to over the telephone as noted on the WTW 29, the curing process failed and the client will remain sanctioned.
Activity Assignment for Plan to Meet WTW Rules and Get Cash Aid Back (WTW 29)
Use the charts below to assign an activity as part of the "Plan to Meet Welfare to Work Rules and Get My Cash Aid Back" (WTW 29):
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If... |
Then... |
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The activity that the client originally failed is no longer available or appropriate, |
The AEC/EC can specify another activity; however, the county cannot assign an activity for a duration exceeding that of the original activity which resulted in the sanction. (Refer to the example below) |
[Refer to Noncompliance Process Guidance/Participant is Assigned to a Curing Sanction Activity-Curing Plan for additional information.]
Example
A sanction was imposed on a client who failed to attend the Assessment activity. The individual contacts the AEC/EC after being off cash aid for a few months and indicates they wish to cure their sanction. The client indicates that they wish to find a job as soon as possible and wants to attend Supervised Job Search. The county may assign the individual to Supervised Job Search. In addition to the WTW 29, the county must develop a WTW 2 for the entire Supervised Job Search period. For purposes of curing, the client is only required to attend Supervised Job Search for up to 30 days from the date they signed the WTW 29.
If the client completes the 30-day curing period as required, their aid will be restored effective the first of the month following the date they contacted the county about curing their sanction. Although the sanction has been lifted, the client will still need to continue participating in the full duration of the Supervised Job Search activity. If the client fails to attend during the 30-day curing period without having good cause, their sanction will remain in effect until they contact the county again to restart and complete the curing process. If the client does curethe sanction and then then fails to participate again, the good cause/compliance/sanction process begins again.
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If... |
Then... |
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CWES cannot provide the original activity or another activity within the 30-calendar day period of signing the curing plan (WTW 29), |
The client is considered to have cured the sanction as of the date of the EC’s determination. (Refer to the example below) |
Example
A client’s curing plan specifies that they must attend an assessment activity in order to comply with program requirements and have their aid restored. The county determines that it cannot schedule an assessment until 35 calendar days after the curing plan is signed. At the point the county makes that determination, the individual is considered to have cured their sanction.
To comply with program requirements and avoid a new instance of noncompliance, the individual must then participate in an assessment, as assigned in writing. Except for individuals who are in approved self-initiated programs, are working for sufficient hours to meet their work participation requirement prior to assessment, or are Student Training and Education Program (STEP) participatns, clients cannot be assigned to post-assessment activities until they have completed the CalWORKs assessment process.
Supportive Services During Curing
Supportive services must be provided as necessary, including advance payments, to clients who are participating in activities to cure a sanction. If the county cannot provide these services, the individual has good cause for not participating in the activities to cure a sanction and will be considered as having cured the sanction at the time the county determines it cannot provide the supportive services. If a client initiates the curing process after a sanction is imposed, cash aid is restored the first day of the month following the date the individual contacts the county to indicate they want to cure.
Example
The county wishes to assign a client to a 30-day community service assignment to cure their sanction. The individual requires child care in order to participate. The county confirms that no child care is currently available and that no openings are anticipated within 30 days from the date the curing plan was signed. Because the necessary child care is not available, the individual is considered to have cured their sanction, and aid will be restored effective the first of the month following the date they notified their worker of their intent to cure.
Stopping a Sanction before a Financial Penalty
Although a client may cure a sanction at any time, an instance of noncompliance must be counted even if the individual corrects the participation problem after the 20-day period has passed, but before the sanction begins. When an individual does not agree to sign a compliance plan within the 20-day period, they must meet the requirements to cure a sanction, even if the participation problem can be corrected prior to imposing the financial sanction. The client is required to sign the WTW 29.
[Refer to Noncompliance Process Guidance/Participant is Assigned to a Curing Sanction Activity-Curing Plan for additional information.]
The following table outlines the steps to take when a client comes in to cure a sanction after the 20-day period, but before the financial penalty is imposed.
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If... |
Then... |
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A sanction has been recorded in CalSAWS and a client contacts the AEC/EC to cure the sanction before a financial penalty is imposed and the activity in the curing period can be completed before the effective date of the penalty (e.g., Orientation, or completion of short term activity), |
The client will be placed in a WTW Program Status of Non-Comp with a Status Reason of In process of curing sanction in CalSAWS and must be allowed to cure the sanction by completing the activity even though it is before the effective date of the financial sanction. When the client successfully completes the activity, the CWES Supervisor/Lead makes entries in CalSAWS:
No financial penalty is applied and there is no loss to the client’s cash grant. |
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A client contacts the AEC/EC to cure a sanction before a financial penalty is imposed, and the “curing period” results in the client having to perform in an activity for a period that extends past the discontinuance date on the Notice of Action (NA 840 or NA 845), |
The client must be allowed to cure the sanction. The sanction takes effect based on the discontinuance date on the NA 840 or NA 845, resulting in a loss to the client’s cash grant. When the client successfully completes the activity, the CWES Supervisor/Lead makes entries in CalSAWS:
Cash aid is restored back to the first of the month following the date the client contacted the county to cure the sanction. (EDBC must be run back to the Effective Begin Date of the sanction.) |
Stopping a Sanction after a Financial Penalty
Use the following table to determine who will take the steps to cure a financial sanction after it is implemented and the client shows or contacts CWES district office staff.
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If the CWES case... |
Then the... |
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Is still in the AEC/EC’s worker ID and the client contacts the AEC/EC, |
AEC/EC will conduct the Orientation/Appraisal and make the appropriate CalSAWS entries. The CWES Supervisor/Lead will make entries to lift the sanction in CalSAWS, if applicable. |
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Is closed and the client can attend a CWES orientation on that same day or during regular business hours, Note: The CWES OD checks the Senter Road Orientation schedule to inform clients of available orientations. |
Client is referred to a CWES orientation at the appropriate CWES office. |
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Is closed and the client cannot attend a CWES orientation or the CWES office cannot accommodate the client on that same day, |
Client is referred to the next agreed upon CWES orientation. |
Note: North and South County clients are to be referred to North and South County offices.
*If a client is determined to be from North or South County, the CWES OD calls the District office to determine the next available orientation.
Successful Curing Plan
A client who completes the assignment as outlined on the WTW 29 will have their cash aid restored effective the first of the month following the date they contacted the county to cure the sanction. Refer to “Restoration of Cash Aid” (below).
Unsuccessful Curing Plan
If a client who has been sanctioned contacts the county to initiate curing and subsequently fails at any point to meet the curing requirements, without good cause, the sanction must continue until they contact the county again to restart and complete the curing process. In this instance, the date the individual recontacts the county is the date in which the individual is considered starting the curing process.
The AEC/EC will issue the WTW 31 and SCD 194 to the client.
[Refer to "Noncompliance Process Guidance/Participant Fails to Start or Complete the Terms of the WTW 29" for additional information.]
A client contacts the county on April 1, after the sanction is imposed, and indicates that they wish to cure their sanction. On April 5, the individual is scheduled to sign a curing plan but fails to show; therefore, their sanction continues. On April 11, they again contact the county to indicate that they wish to cure their sanction. The client subsequently meets with their worker and signs the curing plan on April 17, assigning them to participate in community service beginning in April. The client successfully completes their curing requirements on May 17 (30 days after signing the curing plan), and the sanction is lifted with cash aid restored retroactively to May 1, since the client complied with all curing requirements after recontacting the county on that date.
Restoration of Cash Aid
In cases when a client contacts the county to start the curing process after removed from cash aid, and the individual successfully completes the curing process as reflected on the WTW 29, cash aid is restored the first day of the month following the date that the individual contacted the county to indicate their desire to cure the sanction.
A client who was sanctioned for failing to attend orientation contacts the county on July 14 and indicates they wish to cure their sanction. The client signs their curing plan on July 17, attends orientation on July 23 as required by the plan, and cures their sanction. On August 1, their cash aid is restored.
A client contacts the county on July 14 and indicates they wish to cure their sanction. The individual signs their curing plan on July 17, which specifies that they must participate in two (2) weeks of job search/club beginning on July 23. The client successfully completes Supervised Job Search on August 5, and cures their sanction. The client’s cash aid is restored back to August 1.
Note: When an ICT is received from another county, prior to having cash aid restored, the sanctioned individual must comply with CWES requirements.
Related Topics
Noncompliance Program Requirements
Noncompliance - Failure to Show to Appointment
Noncompliance - The Compliance Interview
Noncompliance - Establishing Good Cause/No Good Cause
Noncompliance - Compliance Plan
Noncompliance - No Contact by the 20th Day
Noncompliance - Supervisor Review
Noncompliance - Successful Compliance Plan
Noncompliance - Unsuccessful Compliance Process
Noncompliance - Two-Parent Cases
Noncompliance - Financial Sanctions
Noncompliance - Implementing a Welfare-to-Work (WTW) Sanction
Noncompliance - Vendor Payment