Budgeting
Definition
Budgeting is the activity used to calculate the appropriate aid payment by determining the basic need standard, subtracting income and making any required adjustments.
Prospective Budgeting
Prospective budgeting is the method used to compute the GA aid payment using an estimate of the income, that can reasonably be expected to be received, by the client in that month. The estimate shall be based on the county's knowledge of past/current income and a reasonable estimation of any future income. The monthly GA grant is always based on prospective need and prospective budgeting.
Note: Clients must provide information on income received during the 30 days prior to the packet submission date (or date of telephone interview) of the household’s annual GA Reinvestigation and/or CF Recertification. If they report no income during the 30 days prior to submission, then no verification is required.
Requirement for New Budget
The Eligibility Worker is responsible for entering all required information into CalSAWS when:
- Aid is granted or restored.
- A redetermination of aid is made.
- There is a change in need, income, shelter or other factors affecting the amount of aid to which the recipient is eligible.
Determining Maximum Grant
The applicant's/recipient's individual maximum grant must be determined using the following information:
- The living situation (e.g. unshared, shared with one, two or three persons, RCH, etc.);
- The number of persons in the GA household; and
- The amount actually paid for housing.
The amount of General Assistance paid will be the amount of actual housing plus personal needs, or the appropriate Maximum Grant, whichever is lower.
Related Topics
Initial Payment of Aid - GA Policy [271]
Employment or Training Commencement Payment (ETC) - GA Policy [275]
Shelters Payments - GA Policy [281]
Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) for GA Payments
General Assistance Token Program
Reported Changes - GA Policy [105]
Motel Reimbursement for Homeless