Family Reunification Cases in Child Welfare

Family Reunification Program Overview

Assembly Bill 429, (Chapter 111, Statutes of 2001), provides for the continuation of CWES for the parents of children who have been removed from the home and are receiving out-of-home care. These cases are known as FR cases.

Any biological or adoptive parent whose eligible child or children has been removed from the home and placed in out-of-home care is potentially eligible to continue receiving CWES.

Although CalWORKs reunification families are eligible for CWES, they no longer receive a cash grant when all the children have been removed from the home or if the remaining AU members become financially ineligible.

Director’s Exception

CalWORKs Reunification families are eligible to receive General Assistance under DE for up to three (3) months. While under this type of Director’s Exception,financial eligibility (income and property) will be waived.

Important: Parents or families who are NOT eligible for Family Reunification Services (AB 429) must go through the regular GA eligibility determination. They are NOT eligible for this type of GA Director’s Exception.

VS Requirements

Since Family Reunification - AB 429 parent(s) are already fulfilling the CWES work requirements, they must not be referred to Vocational Services.

Grant Calculation

The GA grant is calculated by the system based on the number of persons who share housing.

Example: If a family of three shares housing with four other individuals or a family of four, the basic grant level to be used is the one for three persons “Shared with 3 or More Other Persons.” Refer to Payment chapter.

Completion of Budget Information

The information entered into system must clearly indicate whether housing is shared with individuals who are not a part of the applicant family’s household, AND, if so, the number of other persons with whom housing is shared.