Plain English Breakdown
The bill's effectiveness depends on obtaining federal waivers; without them, state rules may not apply.
AB-1357: Guaranteed Income Payments and Benefit Eligibility
This law says that guaranteed income payments do not count as money or resources when deciding if a person can get other state benefits, unless federal laws say otherwise.
What This Bill Does
- It states that existing law requires the State Department of Social Services to run the California Guaranteed Income Pilot Program until January 1, 2028.
- It says guaranteed income payments are not counted as income or resources for means-tested programs if federal laws allow it.
- It lists specific programs like CalWORKs, CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and CAPI where this rule applies.
- It requires state agencies to ask the federal government for permission (waivers) if needed to follow these rules.
- It defines guaranteed income payments to include money from pilot projects or local funding sources.
Who It Names or Affects
- People who receive guaranteed income payments
- The State Department of Social Services and the State Department of Health Care Services
- Counties that determine eligibility for benefit programs
Terms To Know
- Guaranteed Income Payments
- Money given to people through state pilot projects or local funding programs.
- Means-Tested Program
- A benefit program where eligibility depends on how much money a person has.
Limits and Unknowns
- The rule only works if it does not conflict with federal laws.
- State agencies must get special permission from the federal government to apply these rules in some cases.
- It is unclear how much money counties will need for new duties, and reimbursement depends on a future review by the Commission on State Mandates.