Director's Exception Overview
Policy
Director’s Exception GA Policy [113]
The Director of the Department may grant exceptions to the GA policies to alleviate extreme hardship in emergency and unusual situations. A record of such exceptions shall be maintained by the Department. A decision by the Director on a request shall be final and not subject to appeal.
Evaluation of Extreme Hardship
A Social Services Benefits Specialist (SSBS) or a SW must evaluate the individual or family circumstances to determine if an extreme hardship exists. For example, an extreme hardship may exist when an individual or family does not qualify for any state or federal program and/or has no other income, resources or means of support. The Director’s Exception must be reevaluated at least every 12 months, but most categories have different reevaluation periods, therefore, it is important to review the reevaluation for the category the client falls under.
In addition to evaluating the circumstances to determine if hardship exists, the SSBS must evaluate each family case to determine if a VS exemption is appropriate for either parent.
Note: For specifications regarding each of the different Director's Exception categories, refer to their respective topics within Chapter Four.
Categories
The Director of the Agency (or designee) may approve a Director's Exception request when one of the following conditions exists:
- A sponsored noncitizen family does not qualify for any state or federal programs, and the sponsor is unable to provide support.
- A family does not qualify for any state or federal programs and has no other income, resources, or means of support.
- An undocumented individual(s) is gravely physically or mentally handicapped (such as paraplegic, quadriplegic, or comatose), or faces other exigent circumstances.
- An individual receiving GA Interim Assistance who requires psychiatric, psychological, and/or medical testing in order to establish disability for SSI.
- A person who is PRUCOL
- A sponsored noncitizen who has been abused or abandoned by their sponsor.
- A homeless individual requesting to be excused from the homeless shelter placement requirements.
- A parent who has exhausted the maximum six (6) months of Family Reunification (FR) cash aid (AB 135) and is determined by a Department of Family and Children's Services (DFCS) SW to be eligible for a continuation of non-cash aid FR services (AB 429), in compliance with their FR plan, and in need of cash assistance to continue meeting the requirements of their FR plan.
- A GA recipient who would otherwise qualify for the shelter payment portion of GA benefits but whose landlord is unwilling to cooperate in establishing or accepting vendor payments.
If none of the categories listed above are met, there is NO GA eligibility under a Director’s Exception.
[Refer to "Director's Exceptions" in the DEBS BP].
Related Topics
Undocumented Individual(s) Gravely Disabled or Facing Exigent Circumstances
Abused/Abandoned Sponsored Noncitizens
Homeless Shelter Placement Requirements
Public Administrator/Guardian/Conservator (PAGC) Cases
Shelter Payment Issuance to Clients