Potential Income and Resources

The EW MUST review all of the applicant's/recipient's income and resource producing potentials.

The applicant/recipient is responsible for taking all actions necessary to apply for, and to utilize all resources that are reasonably available, in order to maximize their income. If there is any question regarding the availability of a resource, the EW MUST require the applicant/beneficiary to apply for or accept the reasonably available income. If the applicant/recipient refuses to do so, eligibility for GA MUST be denied/discontinued until cooperation is obtained.

Request to Seek Other Means of Support - GA Policy [202]

An applicant/recipient MUST take all necessary and reasonable steps to obtain any resource or benefit for which they qualify or are entitled, including but NOT limited to the following:

CalWORKs
CAPI
Social Security Benefits (RSDI)
SDI
SSI
RR
RCA/ECA
UIB
VA
Workers Compensation.

Note: If applicants have physical custody of the child(ren) at the time of application or anticipate getting the child(ren) back within the month, they are NOT eligible for GA. If it is not anticipated that the child(ren) will return within the month, they are eligible for GA.

Eligibility Based on Income

Intake

Any income that’s received or is anticipated to be received in the month of application must be used in determining the applicant’s eligibility for GA.

Anticipated, and received income which exceeds the needs standard, will result in a denial of the application.
Information that’s received after the denial will not affect the denial action unless, it is verified within ten (10) days after the date of the denial notice; that the anticipated income will not be received. In these cases, the denial will be rescinded and the application continued.

Continuing

Anticipated and actual income which exceeds the Needs Standard will result in the discontinuance of eligibility.
If the anticipated income results in a reduced grant, or a discontinuance of aid, and it is verified, that the income that was actually received by the recipient was less than had been anticipated; the recipient will be issued a supplemental amount, and the action rescinded if the case was erroneously discontinued.

Voluntary Plan of Disability Insurance (Private Plan)

Requirement to Apply

When an applicant/recipient meets the basic qualifications for disability, but was insured by a private insurance carrier or self-insured employer, there may be eligibility for disability benefits under a voluntary plan or private plan. The applicant/recipient is required to apply for and accept such benefits.

Workers' Compensation

With few exceptions, all employees are covered by Workers' Compensation for on the job injuries. Worker's Compensation should not be confused with SDI benefits. However, SDI payments may be made when a Workers' Compensation claim is in dispute.

Information regarding claim and payments under Workers' Compensation may be obtained from the Division of Workers’ Compensation Information Service Center at (408) 277-1292 or (800) 736-7401.

Note: GA applicants/recipients MUST apply for both SDI and Workers' Compensation, when the Workers' Compensation claim is in dispute.