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School Enrollment Verification (SCD 441)
IMPORTANT: The expected date of graduation must be entered on the Collect Student Detail page. If new information is reported, this page must be updated. The information that you enter on the Collect Student Detail page is what triggers CalSAWS to automatically discontinue Foster Care when the child turns 18. If the information is not correct, it can result in an overpayment.
Purpose
School enrollment/attendance must be verified and monitored before a Foster Care youths with NRLGs established through Probate Court reaches age 18 so that the EW can determine if eligibility will stop when the child is 18. If Foster Care is to be continued after age 18, the EW must obtain appropriate verification PRIOR to the child’s 18th birthday. Failure to obtain verification of school enrollment may result in an overpayment if there is no eligibility.
Note: CalWORKs school enrollment and attendance requirements do NOT apply to children who receive Foster Care benefits.
Applicants (Intake)
Intake EWs must send the “School Enrollment Verification” (SCD 441) for a child who will turn age 18 within six months from the date the case is transferred. If, at the time of transfer, the child’s birthday is in the current or future month, the intake EW must keep the case until the SCD 441 is received.
School Not in Session
If the EW cannot obtain an SCD 441 because the school is not in session, follow these guidelines:
- New Applicants: Accept the legal guardian or SW/PO’s statement and initiate an Alert in CalSAWS for follow-up when school begins.
- If there is a question regarding school enrollment, attempt to verify enrollment by contacting the school, the SW/PO or legal guardian and initiate an Alert in CalSAWS for follow-up when school begins.
Recipients (Continuing Cases)
EWs must ensure that a child meets all of the conditions of eligibility for continuation of Foster Care benefits beyond their 18th birthday and within 6 months prior to age 18. Each year in January and September, EWs will use their quarterly listing “Foster Care and Kin-GAP Individuals with Age at Graduation” to identify 17 - 18 year olds who require verification of school enrollment. The following information must be sent to the person/facility where the child resides:
- The “School Enrollment Verification” (SCD 441)
- The “Instructions for Use of the School Enrollment Verification Form” (SCD 1087)
- A postage-paid return envelope.
Foster Care providers are to return the SCD 441 to the agency by the 10th of the month following the month it was mailed (by February 10 and October 10, respectively).
Note: A substitute verification such as a letter from the school may be used if it is on school letterhead, it contains a school stamp and a signature from a school employee, and it otherwise appears to be valid. It should include the same information that is requested on the SCD 441.
The procedures above will meet verification requirements for most children; however, EWs may need to send an SCD 441 or request verification of school enrollment before continuing payments after a child reaches age 18.
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