Proof of Residency

Residency must be established BEFORE GA is granted. 

If information or evidence indicates that the applicant has been a resident of Santa Clara County for 15 days or less, the GA payment will be effective no earlier than the 16th day of residence. Refer to Payment chapter.

Example: An applicant applies for GA on September 4. He completes the “Application for General Assistance” (GA 1) and provides an I-94, both of which indicate that he entered the United States and came immediately to Santa Clara County on September 1. GA is effective no earlier than September 16.

Intent to Reside 

In addition to providing verification of current residence, each applicant must demonstrate the intent to reside indefinitely within the State of California and in the County of Santa Clara. The intent to reside in Santa Clara County includes, but is not limited to: 

  • Applicants who are applying for GA must sign the “Application for General Assistance” (GA 1). 
  • Applicants who HAVE a permanent dwelling address in Santa Clara County where rent/mortgage has been paid for at least 30 days, must provide verification of that fact.
  • The EW MUST advise applicants who do NOT have a verified permanent dwelling address in the county, where rent has been paid for at least 30 days, that they are required to complete one of the actions outlined below in support of their intent to reside in Santa Clara County:
    • Change the address on their driver's license/identification at the local office of the DMV; OR
    • If unable to work, contact a doctor in the county or apply for SSI to obtain a determination of disability.

Questionable Residence

If information or documentation regarding an applicant's or recipient's residence is in question, the EW must request additional documentation, including but not limited to, making collateral contacts. Circumstances MUST be clearly documented in a Journal Entry.

If the EW verifies that an applicant or recipient has provided false information and/or documentation regarding his or her residence, aid MUST be denied/discontinued and a three month sanction MUST be imposed.

Residency Denial

When an applicant is denied for not meeting the 15 day residency requirement, the denial NOA “Non Resident” (GA 118) is sent to the applicant after they have been interviewed by the EW. The EW will then rescind and reevaluate the case on the 16th day so the client will not need to reapply. 

The EW cannot deny an application for receiving aid in another County if the client did in fact receive aid in another county in the same month of application, the Residency denial takes precedence.

Example: The client applies October 1, and came to this County September 29th client has received GA in Alameda County for October. The October 1, application is denied because the applicant has no residency until October 14th the client is given a return appointment for October for a new application. If the applicant received GA from Alameda County it is entered in CalSAWS as unearned income. Most likely the applicant will not be eligible because Alameda’s max aid is $336 or higher.

[Refer to "Residency Denial" in the DEBS BP].

Related Topics

Policy

Mailing Addresses