Non-Fed Families

Director’s Exception

Since families are only eligible for GA as a Director’s Exception, the EW must evaluate each family, on a case by case basis to determine if GA is necessary to “alleviate an extreme hardship in emergency and unusual situations.” If it is determined that GA is necessary in accordance with the above, all GA requirements (including sponsored noncitizen requirements) must be met.

Requirement for CalWORKs Application

All families applying for GA MUST APPLY FOR CalWORKs prior to having their eligibility determined for GA. The CalWORKs Denial NOA must be provided to the GA EW prior to submitting the request for approval of the Director’s Exception. A copy of the CalWORKs NOA must be scanned to Imaging. Refer to Application chapter.

EW Requirements

The EW MUST complete a “Request for Director’s Exception — Family” (GA 5F) for all family Director’s Exceptions. This referral must be completed after GA eligibility has been determined, but prior to referring to VS. The EW must do the following:

Determine if an extreme hardship exists because the family does not qualify for any state or federal program and has no other income, resources or means of support; AND
Determine if a parent is to be exempted from VS requirements; AND
Complete a referral to VS for the development of a plan that will lead the family to self-sufficiency and no longer dependent on GA.

VS Requirements

All non-exempt employable adults must comply with all VS requirements. Refer to Employable chapter.

Note: If either of the parents does not comply with VS requirements, the entire family is ineligible.

To meet VS requirements, the EW must:

Enter all employment information for each nonexempt employable adult into CalSAWS.
Refer the employable adult(s) for a VS orientation meeting, in accordance with normal procedures.
Forward a copy of the GA 5F to VS. The GA 5F must be returned to the EW with the “General Assistance Cooperation Agreement” (SCD 523).

Persons Exempt from VS

One parent may be exempt from VS requirements, provided that ALL of the following conditions are met:

The parent is not the primary wage earner, AND
There is a child under 1 year of age in the household, AND
The EW determines that there is NO other child care option available.

If all children are 1 year of age or older, BOTH parents must register with VS and comply with VS requirements.

Grant Calculation

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

ExampleExampleIf 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.”

Completion of Budget Information

The information entered into CalSAWS 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.

Completion of Director’s Exception Request

After eligibility has been cleared, the GA Intake EW must complete a “Request for Director’s Exception — Family” (GA 5F). All pertinent verification must be attached to the GA 5F, including the CalWORKs/RCA Notice of Action.

For related business process, refer to "Director's Exceptions" in the DEBS Business Process Handbook.