Exemptions

 

Individuals meeting one of the following exemptions are not subject to the WCER. Individuals must be reviewed for exemptions in the order in which they are listed. When an individual meets more than one exemption, the first exemption must be used in the eligibility determination. 

Exemption Hierarchy

• Living in a county with an employment rate that is above the lesser of 8% or 1.5 times the national unemployment rate, 
• Living in a county impacted by a federally declared emergency or disaster, 
• Entitled to or enrolled in Medicare Parts A or B, 
• American Indians or Alaska Natives (AI/AN), 
• Parent, guardian, caretaker relatives (caretakers), or family caregivers of a dependent child age 13 or under (When there are two parents in the household, both parents are eligible for this exemption), 
• Pregnant or within the 365-day postpartum period,  
• Former Foster Youth (FFY) under age 26, 
• Incarcerated,  
• Released from incarceration in the last 90 days, 
• Meeting CalFresh work requirements, 
• Meeting CalWORKs work requirements,  
• Parent, guardian, caretaker relative, or family caregiver of a disabled individual,  
• Disabled veterans,  
• Participating in a drug or alcohol treatment program,

1. Medically frail or has special medical needs, including an individual who is: 
   • Blind or disabled as determined by the Social Security Administration (SSA),  
   • With a substance abuse disorder,  
   • With a disabling mental disorder,  
   • With a physical, intellectual, or developmental disability that significantly impairs their ability to perform 1 or more activities of daily living, 
   • With a serious or complex medical condition,  
   • Or otherwise has special medical needs, 

• Exceptions for short-term hardship may also apply and must be requested by the individual, including: 

  • Receiving inpatient hospital care, nursing facility services in an intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities, inpatient psychiatric hospital services, or other services including outpatient care relating to other services specified, 
  •  The individual or their dependent must travel outside of their community for an extended period of time to receive medical services necessary to treat a serious or complex medical condition that are not available within their community of residence. 

 

Related Topics

Work and Community Engagement Requirement,

Qualifying Activities

WCER at Application

WCER at Renewal

Change in Circumstance and Transitions