Plain English Breakdown
The exact date of implementation depends on when the department notifies the Legislature that computer systems are ready, which could be later than July 1, 2027.
CalWORKs Rules for Families with Members in Immigration Detention
This law allows CalWORKs benefits to continue if a family member is held in an immigration detention center by counting them as temporarily absent from the home.
What This Bill Does
- Counts people detained in federal immigration facilities as temporarily absent for benefit calculations starting July 1, 2027 or later when systems are ready.
- Allows families to keep receiving cash aid and services if other members still meet eligibility rules while one member is detained.
- Accepts a sworn statement from the applicant or recipient as proof that a family member has been placed in immigration detention.
- Lets the department use written letters to counties instead of formal regulations until official rules are adopted.
Who It Names or Affects
- Families receiving CalWORKs cash assistance who have members detained in federal immigration facilities.
- County agencies that manage and distribute CalWORKs benefits.
Terms To Know
- CalWORKs
- A California program providing cash aid to low-income families using federal, state, and county funds.
- Assistance unit
- The group of people living together who apply for or receive benefits as a single household.
- Temporarily absent
- A status where a person is not at home but the family still counts them when calculating benefit amounts.
Limits and Unknowns
- The law does not take effect until July 1, 2027 or later if computer system updates are needed.
- Funding from the General Fund for county costs under this specific change is removed unless state reimbursement rules apply.