Social Worker and Probation Officer Responsibilities

CWS 31-201

Before dismissing court dependency the SW/PO will request payment information from the Imaged file. This will occur using the “Kin-GAP Information Sheet” form (SCD 21). Continuing eligibility will provide the required information to the SW/PO.

Note: Currently, JPD is not administering Kin-GAP, but may implement at a later date.

Appointment of a Legal Guardian

Once the caregiver is appointed as the legal guardian and the child’s court dependency case is dismissed, the SW will complete the required documentation and immediately forward it to the FC bureau.

Note: Court dependency may be reinstated at any time as long as the child is under 18 years old.

Required Documents to Initiate a New Case

The SW of a potentially eligible Kin-GAP child is responsible for the following documents (one for each child):

  • The “Agency-Relative Guardianship Disclosure” (SOC 369)
  • The “Kin-GAP Program Agreement Amendment” (SOC 369A)

    • Reminder: If two legal guardians are named on the SOC 369/A, both names should be entered in CalWIN. Payment will only go out under one name. During the application stage, FC Clerical will app reg the case with both names. If another guardian is added after the application stage, the Continuing worker must add the name.

  • The "Kin-GAP Information Sheet" (SCD 21)
  • A copy of the guardianship papers (Letters of Guardianship)
  • A copy of the minute order reflecting the dismissal of the child’s court dependency status

The SW must review the SOC 369 with the guardian and assist them in completing the form. The guardian must make the appropriate selection for either Kin-GAP or CalWORKs based on the eligibility criteria.

Reminder: The guardian must initial in the appropriate spaces, and sign and date page 2 of the SOC 369.

It is the SW’s responsibility to sign and date SOC 369 and ensure SOC 369A is signed before the establishment of legal guardianship. If legal guardianship is established before the signing of SOC 369 then the federal Kin-GAP program cannot be used, however, the youth may be eligible for the state Kin-GAP program.

The SW will retain the original SOC 369 for the service case file and provide a copy to the guardian. The guardian must sign a separate SOC 369 for each child making the transition.

If Kin-GAP is chosen on the SOC 369 then the SW/PO must negotiate the rate and complete the SOC 369A.

The SW will dismiss the child’s court dependency case after this process is completed. Once the court dependency case is dismissed, all applicable documents must be forwarded to the FC EW for processing.

Reassessment Requirements

W&IC 11364(b)(1) and 11387(b)(1)

A reassessment or redetermination is the SW review of the needs of the Kin-GAP recipient child or the circumstances of the guardian. It is performed initially and no less frequently than every two years. If the needs of the child or the circumstances of the guardian change, the agency and guardian may negotiate to adjust benefits more frequently than every two years. Refer to Redetermination under First Date of Aid.

Related Topics

Kinship Guardianship Assistance Payment Program