Eligibility for Other Programs

As part of the intake interview process, applicants must be provided with information about all public assistance programs they may be eligible for.

Medi-Cal

All GA applicants with no health coverage are required to apply for Medi-Cal.

Note: Persons 64 years and 10 months of age and older MUST also apply for SSI.

If an applicant does not show for a scheduled GA interview and there is an “Application for CalFresh, Cash Aid, and/or Medi-Cal/Health Care Programs” (SAWS 2 Plus) on file, the Medi-Cal portion of the application must still be processed. If there is no SAWS 2 Plus on file, the “State of California Health Insurance Application” (CCFRM) form to apply for Medi-Cal only, must be mailed to the client.

A DDSD packet must be completed for each person who applies for Medi-Cal based on disability, and who does not have a pending SSI application. [Refer to Medi-Cal Handbook].

CalWORKs

Any time a client could be considered a parent or child and would meet CalWORKs eligibility, they must be referred to an Intake District Office to make an application for CalWORKs as there is no eligibility for General Assistance. Send NOA “Eligible to Apply for CalWORKs” (GA 231).

Note: The client must have physical custody of the child(ren) at the time of application.

The following individuals must also apply for CalWORKs:

Pregnant women age 19 or older in any stage of pregnancy,
Pregnant teens age 18 or younger, with no other eligible children in the home

[Refer to CalWORKs Handbook].

Ineligibility for Federal or State Cash Aid

The following individuals who are ineligible for Federal or State Cash Aid programs will also be ineligible for General Assistance:

Sanction/Penalty - an applicant/recipient who is denied/discontinued from CalWORKs due to a sanction/penalty is not eligible for GA for the duration of the sanction period(s). Send NOA “Period of Ineligibility for CalWORKs/SSI/RCA” (GA 115).
Lump Sum Income - an applicant/recipient who is ineligible for CalWORKs or SSI due to the receipt of lump sum income, is not eligible for GA for the duration of the ineligibility period. Send NOA “Period of Ineligibility for CalWORKs/SSI/RCA” (GA 115).
Felony - An applicant/recipient who is ineligible for CalWORKs due to a felony is not eligible to receive GA until all children for whom they received CalWORKs have reached age 18, whether or not the children are living in their home.
60-Month Time Limit - CalWORKs recipients who are not eligible for CalWORKs as a result of the 60-month time limit are NOT eligible to receive General Assistance until all children for whom they received CalWORKs reach age 18, whether or not the children are living in their home.
Zero Basic Grant - an applicant/recipient who is ineligible for CalWORKs or SSI, or who has a zero basic grant due to a penalty, or who’s grant is less than $10, or reduced to a zero grant after an O/P adjustment is not eligible to receive GA.

The GA 239 is available in the DEBS Forms Library and is the appropriate NOA to use for the above scenarios unless otherwise stated.

Refer to GA 203 — Ineligibility for Federal / State Program.

Sheriff’s Department Public Service Program (PSP)

Participants in the Sheriff's Department's PSP are ineligible for General Assistance. Although PSP participants are not inmates (do not reside in the jail), they are unable to clear eligibility because they are not available to “accept ANY bona fide offer of employment” (GA policy 215).

GA applicants/recipients participating in the PSP who are inmates will continue, for eligibility purposes, to be considered in jail, and will be denied.

Jail Inmates

GA applicants/recipients who are jail inmates and are also in a medical institution are not eligible for General Assistance. Denial NOA GA 113 or Discontinuance NOA GA 044 “Residing in Public Private institution/Facility” must be sent.

Convicted Fleeing Felons

California WIC, Section 17016 for General Assistance reads as follows:

“(a) An individual shall NOT be eligible for aid under this part if he or she is ether:
- (1) Fleeing to avoid prosecution, or custody and confinement after conviction, under the laws of the place from which the individual is fleeing, for a crime or an attempted to commit a crime that is a felony under the laws of the place from which the individual is fleeing, or which, in the case of the state of New Jersey, is a high misdemeanor under the laws of that state.
- (2) Violating a condition of probation or parole imposed under federal law or the law of any state.
(b) Subdivision (a) shall not apply with respect to conduct of an individual for any month beginning after the President of the United States grants a pardon with respect to the conduct.”

Due to the law that is outlined in WIC 17016, GA will not be granted to Fleeing Felons.

Convicted Drug Felons

California WIC, Section 17000 for General Assistance reads as follows:

“Every county and every city and county shall relieve and support all incompetent, poor, indigent persons, and those incapacitated by age, disease, or accident, lawfully resident therein, when such persons are not supported and relieved by their relatives or friends, by their own means, or by state hospitals or other state or private institutions.”

Due to the law that is outlined in WIC 17000, the county must provide aid to Convicted Drug Felons provided the individual:

Has not been denied/discontinued from CalWORKS for this reason.
Is not fleeing to avoid prosecution, custody or confinement after conviction, as indicated in WIC 17016.

Exception: An applicant/recipient who is ineligible for CalWORKs due to a felony is not eligible to receive General Assistance until all children for whom they received CalWORKs have reached age 18, whether or not the children are living in their home.