Sponsored Noncitizen Families

Director’s Exception

Sponsored noncitizen families are only eligible for General Assistance (GA) as a Director’s Exception. The Social Services Benefits Speacialist (SSBS) must evaluate each sponsored noncitizen family, on a case-by-case basis to determine if GA is necessary to “alleviate 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 SSBS prior to submitting the request for approval of the Director’s Exception. A copy of the CalWORKs NOA must be scanned to Imaging, if it is not already available there. Refer to Application chapter.

Sponsorship Information Requirements

After eligibility has been cleared, the SSBS must complete a Request for Director’s Exception — Family (GA 5F). The following forms (if appropriate to the case) must be attached to the GA 5F:

Affidavit of Support (I-134 or I-864) (as appropriate)
Sponsor’s Statement of Facts (GA 24)
Sponsor Deeming Budget (GA 25) (if applicable)
Sponsorship Questionnaire (GA 54 )
General Assistance Requirements for Sponsored Noncitizens (GA 55)
Notification to Sponsor (GA 56)
Referral of Sponsor to Collections (GA 59)
Agreement to Reimburse — Sponsor (SCD 355 - S/A).

Note: If the I-134 or I-864 is not available, the SSBS must initiate an Online SAVE request.

SSBS Requirements

The SSBS MUST complete a GA 5F for all family Director’s Exceptions. This referral must be completed after GA eligibility has been determined, but prior to referring to GA VS.

For related business processes, refer to Director's Exceptions in the General Assistance Business Processes Handbook.

Reevaluation Period

This Director’s Exception must be reevaluated every six months.

GA Vocational Services (VS) Requirement

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.

The GA 5F must be forwarded to VS and then returned to the SSBS with the General Assistance Cooperation Agreement (SCD 523).

Persons Exempt from GA Vocational Services

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 SSBS 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 to be calculated based on the number of persons who share housing with the family.

ExampleExampleIf a family of three shares housing with four other individuals or a family of four, the basic grant level to be used is 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 part of the applicant family’s household, AND, if so, the number of other persons with whom housing is shared.