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Employment Services Welfare-to-Work Overview
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Module 1 - Part 1
Created By: Cameron Hurley - 2023
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What is CalWORKs & Welfare-to-Work?
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What is CalWORKs (CW)?
- The California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKS) program became operative in 1998.
- It is California’s version of the Federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program that offers temporary cash assistance, employment services, as well as health insurance to eligible families.
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Who is eligible to receive CalWORKs?
For a family to be eligible to receive CalWORKs they must meet any of the following criteria:
- Pregnant and in any trimester
- Have a minor child in the home who has a deprivation
- Have an 18-year-old child in the home, who has a deprivation, and who is attending high school full time but will graduate before they turn 19 years of age
A child is considered deprived when:
- They have a deceased parent
- They have an absent parent
- They have a physically or mentally incapacitated parent
- They have an underemployed primary wage earner parent
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What is Welfare-to-Work?
Welfare-to-Work (WTW) is an employment program which is designed to help CalWORKs recipients become self-sufficient. WTW offers a variety of employment services to move participants from welfare to work.
The goal is to assist participants to obtain employment through job readiness and job search activities, as well as other employment-directed activities such as: earning their high school diploma, GED, or other trainings which would benefit them as they prepare to reenter the workforce.
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What is an Assistance Unit (AU)?
Assistance Unit (AU) means a group of related persons living in the same home who have been determined eligible for cash aid.
An AU must have at least one of the following:
- One eligible child
- Pregnant person
- Caretaker relative of an SSI/SSP child
An AU must include:
- An applicant child
- Eligible sibling or half-siblings (biological or adopted) of the applicant child who meet the age requirement
- Parents of any child listed above
An AU may include:
- A nonparent caretaker relative (needy or non-needy)
- Stepparents & Registered Domestic Partners
- Alternatively Sentenced Parents
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CalWORKs Time Limits
CalWORKs recipients are eligible to receive cash assistance for a total of 60 months.
- This time limit is referred to as the 60-month Time Clock or 60 MTC
- During the 60 MTC a CalWORKs recipient is eligible to all available Welfare-to-Work services
- Each month an adult CalWORKs recipient receives assistance will ‘tick’ the clock, reducing their remaining time on aid
- Once the CalWORKs recipient has exhausted their 60 MTC they will no longer be eligible to receive cash assistance for themselves. This is referred to as being ‘Timed Out’
- Although one or both parents may be timed out or no longer eligible for aid, the AU may still receive aid for their eligible children
- The 60 MTC follows the recipient state-to-state and county-to-county. They cannot time out in one state or county and then move to another to restart their 60 MTC
- Once timed out, the adult AU member will no longer be eligible to participate in Welfare-to-Work and will no longer be allowed the Supportive Services provided by the program
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Non-Countable Months
During the 60 MTC, there are months that do not count against the time clock limit. The adult may be eligible to a time limit exception if the adult was:
Disabled for at least 30 days
Taking care of a child that was dependent of the court or at risk of going into foster care
Receiving no cash aid or Zero Basic Grant (ZBG)
A victim of domestic violence
Sanctioned and did not get cash aid
Age 60 years or older
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Who Participates?
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Who Cannot Participate?
Who May Participate?
Who Must Participate?
All CalWORKs recipients, who do not qualify for an exemption are Mandatory Participants. This includes all recipients age 16 or older, as well those with the following penalties:
- Failure of a child 16 or older in an AU to attend high school regularly
- Failure to submit timely immunization verifications
- Intentional Program Violators (IPV)
- Those who fail to cooperate with the Local Child Support Agency in establishing paternity or securing child support
- Individuals receiving a Zero Basic Grant (ZBG) in their CalWORKs case, unless exempt, are considered aided and are eligible for ALL WTW activities and supportive services.
Persons excluded from the AU by law such as:
- Undocumented non-citizens
- SSI/SSP recipients
- Fleeing felons
- Probation or parole violators
Persons who are sanctioned for failure or refusal to:
- Participate in WTW
- Assign child support rights
- Cooperate in verifying citizenship status
- Cooperate in providing their SSN
- Take action to obtain unconditionally available income
- Persons who have timed out of their 60-month time limit
- Exempt persons who want to volunteer
- Persons wishing to cure a WTW sanction prior to their approval of cash aid
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Who Participates? – Mandatory Registrants
Rule: All applicants/recipients of CW are required to register for Welfare-to-Work unless they are exempt.
All persons who do not fit into one of the exemption categories are mandatory Welfare-to-Work registrants.
Mandatory
A teen who has been determined to be a habitual truant by the school or is no longer enrolled in school must participate in WTW to complete high school or its equivalent.
16-17-year-old Truant Teens
This individual is subject to all WTW requirements, including sanctions, until they turn age 18.
16-17-year-old HS Graduate Not Planning to Enroll in Post-Secondary Education, Vocational, or Technical School
An individual who was not previously enrolled in Cal-Learn or does not want to return to Cal-Learn, must participate in WTW to earn high school diploma or equivalent.
19-year-old Custodial Parent Without a HS Diploma
A pregnant or parenting teen under age 19 who has not earned a High School diploma or equivalent, is required to participate in Cal-Learn until they graduate from high school or turn age 20, whichever comes first.
Cal-Learn
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10
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Who Participates? - Exemptions
The following individuals are ‘Exempt’ and are not required to participate in WTW:
Children under 16
16–18-year-old child enrolled in school and attending full time
Individual 60 years of age of older
Care of first child six months of age or younger (once in a lifetime exemption)
Care of subsequent children limited to 12 weeks of age
Care of a child 23 months or younger (once in a lifetime exemption)
Parent caring for disabled household (HH) member
Non-parent caring for disabled (HH) member
An individual that is physically or mentally incapacitated
Pregnant
Vista volunteer
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11
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Who Participates? – Excused Due to Good Cause
Participants can be excused, or considered to have Good Cause from participating in Welfare-to-Work activities, when there is a condition or circumstance that temporarily prevents or significantly impairs the recipient’s ability to:
• Be regularly employed
• Participate in Welfare-to-Work activities
Conditions that may be considered Good Cause for not participating in Welfare-to-Work activities include, but are not limited to, any of the following:
• Temporary illness or injury that is less than 30 days
• Family Crisis: Death or illness in the family which requires the participant’s immediate attention
• Legal difficulty
• Lack of necessary supportive services (childcare, transportation)
• Domestic Violence
• Inappropriate Work or Training related reasons
Conditions must be verified and reviewed every 30 days for appropriateness.
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12
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Case Management
The following agencies provide Welfare-to-Work Case Management services:
Human Services Agency (HSA):
Contracted Case Management Agencies (CCM):
CalWORKs Employment Center (CWEC)
El Concilio: Case management services for families living in Lodi, Manteca, and Tracy.
Family Resource Center – Employment Services: Provides additional case management in the north Stockton area.
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13
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Coordination of Job Duties – Who Does What?
Meeting the training and employment goals of the Welfare-to-Work program requires a team effort by Eligibility Workers, CalWORKs Employment Services Office Assistant Staff, and Employment Services Case Managers.
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14
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Coordination of Job Duties – Eligibility Workers
Determine the applicant’s eligibility for CalWORKs, CalFresh, and Medi-Cal
Refers clients to their WTW Case Manager for Employment Services
Determines the recipient’s benefit amounts i.e., their cash grant, CalFresh allotment, and Medi-Cal eligibility on an ongoing basis
Maintains the recipient’s case via the Semi-Annual Report (SAR 7) and annual Redetermination (RE) of benefitsMay also be called the annual renewal or reinvestigation
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15
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Coordination of Job Duties – CWEC Office Assistants
Assign cases to Case Managers on a rotational basis upon approval of the Cash Aid
Handle case assignments when a recipient with an active CW program requests to cure a sanction
Answer incoming calls received at (209)953-7000 and forwards calls to CMs as needed
Provide CM’s contact information to callers
Greet and direct participants who walk in to see their CM, attend a class or training, or submit/pick up documents
Send queues via the PAM system to
inform CMs of participants who wish to
see them
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16
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Coordination of Job Duties – Case Managers (Employment Training Specialists)
Ensure the participant transitions from activity to activity in a timely manner
Input data into CalSAWS regarding a participants:WTW Plan Activities Participation Hours
WTW Status
Journal Entries
Receive WTW Program assignments in their Workload Inventory
Review the case to determine if the participant is mandatory in the program
Makes cause determinations for non-cooperation
Develop a WTW Plan that is geared toward meeting the participant’s self-determined goals and milestones
Conduct conciliation with non-compliant participants
Cooperate with HSA Hearings staff when a participant files a Fair Hearing
Refer participants to appropriate activities and trainings
Notify the EW when a CW sanction is to be imposed
Inform participants of job leads and openings
Determine if there are possible mental health, substance abuse, or domestic violence barriers; make appropriate referrals for counseling
Determine exemptions and notifies the EW
Monitor the participant’s monthly attendance and progress in the assigned activity
Track the participants 60 MTC
Determine need for supportive services and authorizes payments
Track and report participation hours
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17
Module 1 Part 1 - Welfare-to-Work Overview for Case Managers
San Joaquin County Human Services Agency
Created on September 8, 2023
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Transcript
Click to edit Master title style
Employment Services Welfare-to-Work Overview
‹#›
Module 1 - Part 1
Created By: Cameron Hurley - 2023
Click to edit Master title style
What is CalWORKs & Welfare-to-Work?
‹#›
Click to edit Master title style
What is CalWORKs (CW)?
‹#›
Click to edit Master title style
Who is eligible to receive CalWORKs?
For a family to be eligible to receive CalWORKs they must meet any of the following criteria:
A child is considered deprived when:
‹#›
Click to edit Master title style
What is Welfare-to-Work?
Welfare-to-Work (WTW) is an employment program which is designed to help CalWORKs recipients become self-sufficient. WTW offers a variety of employment services to move participants from welfare to work.
The goal is to assist participants to obtain employment through job readiness and job search activities, as well as other employment-directed activities such as: earning their high school diploma, GED, or other trainings which would benefit them as they prepare to reenter the workforce.
‹#›
Click to edit Master title style
What is an Assistance Unit (AU)?
Assistance Unit (AU) means a group of related persons living in the same home who have been determined eligible for cash aid.
An AU must have at least one of the following:
An AU must include:
An AU may include:
‹#›
Click to edit Master title style
CalWORKs Time Limits
CalWORKs recipients are eligible to receive cash assistance for a total of 60 months.
‹#›
Click to edit Master title style
Non-Countable Months
During the 60 MTC, there are months that do not count against the time clock limit. The adult may be eligible to a time limit exception if the adult was:
Disabled for at least 30 days
Taking care of a child that was dependent of the court or at risk of going into foster care
Receiving no cash aid or Zero Basic Grant (ZBG)
A victim of domestic violence
Sanctioned and did not get cash aid
Age 60 years or older
‹#›
Who Participates?
Click to edit Master title style
Who Cannot Participate?
Who May Participate?
Who Must Participate?
All CalWORKs recipients, who do not qualify for an exemption are Mandatory Participants. This includes all recipients age 16 or older, as well those with the following penalties:
Persons excluded from the AU by law such as:
- Undocumented non-citizens
- SSI/SSP recipients
- Fleeing felons
- Probation or parole violators
Persons who are sanctioned for failure or refusal to:‹#›
Click to edit Master title style
Who Participates? – Mandatory Registrants
Rule: All applicants/recipients of CW are required to register for Welfare-to-Work unless they are exempt.
All persons who do not fit into one of the exemption categories are mandatory Welfare-to-Work registrants.
Mandatory
A teen who has been determined to be a habitual truant by the school or is no longer enrolled in school must participate in WTW to complete high school or its equivalent.
16-17-year-old Truant Teens
This individual is subject to all WTW requirements, including sanctions, until they turn age 18.
16-17-year-old HS Graduate Not Planning to Enroll in Post-Secondary Education, Vocational, or Technical School
An individual who was not previously enrolled in Cal-Learn or does not want to return to Cal-Learn, must participate in WTW to earn high school diploma or equivalent.
19-year-old Custodial Parent Without a HS Diploma
A pregnant or parenting teen under age 19 who has not earned a High School diploma or equivalent, is required to participate in Cal-Learn until they graduate from high school or turn age 20, whichever comes first.
Cal-Learn
‹#›
10
Click to edit Master title style
Who Participates? - Exemptions
The following individuals are ‘Exempt’ and are not required to participate in WTW:
Children under 16
16–18-year-old child enrolled in school and attending full time
Individual 60 years of age of older
Care of first child six months of age or younger (once in a lifetime exemption)
Care of subsequent children limited to 12 weeks of age
Care of a child 23 months or younger (once in a lifetime exemption)
Parent caring for disabled household (HH) member
Non-parent caring for disabled (HH) member
An individual that is physically or mentally incapacitated
Pregnant
Vista volunteer
‹#›
11
Click to edit Master title style
Who Participates? – Excused Due to Good Cause
Participants can be excused, or considered to have Good Cause from participating in Welfare-to-Work activities, when there is a condition or circumstance that temporarily prevents or significantly impairs the recipient’s ability to:
• Be regularly employed
• Participate in Welfare-to-Work activities
Conditions that may be considered Good Cause for not participating in Welfare-to-Work activities include, but are not limited to, any of the following:
• Temporary illness or injury that is less than 30 days
• Family Crisis: Death or illness in the family which requires the participant’s immediate attention
• Legal difficulty
• Lack of necessary supportive services (childcare, transportation)
• Domestic Violence
• Inappropriate Work or Training related reasons
Conditions must be verified and reviewed every 30 days for appropriateness.
‹#›
12
Click to edit Master title style
Case Management
The following agencies provide Welfare-to-Work Case Management services:
Human Services Agency (HSA):
Contracted Case Management Agencies (CCM):
CalWORKs Employment Center (CWEC)
El Concilio: Case management services for families living in Lodi, Manteca, and Tracy.
Family Resource Center – Employment Services: Provides additional case management in the north Stockton area.
‹#›
13
Click to edit Master title style
Coordination of Job Duties – Who Does What?
Meeting the training and employment goals of the Welfare-to-Work program requires a team effort by Eligibility Workers, CalWORKs Employment Services Office Assistant Staff, and Employment Services Case Managers.
‹#›
14
Click to edit Master title style
Coordination of Job Duties – Eligibility Workers
Determine the applicant’s eligibility for CalWORKs, CalFresh, and Medi-Cal
Refers clients to their WTW Case Manager for Employment Services
Determines the recipient’s benefit amounts i.e., their cash grant, CalFresh allotment, and Medi-Cal eligibility on an ongoing basis
Maintains the recipient’s case via the Semi-Annual Report (SAR 7) and annual Redetermination (RE) of benefitsMay also be called the annual renewal or reinvestigation
‹#›
15
Click to edit Master title style
Coordination of Job Duties – CWEC Office Assistants
Assign cases to Case Managers on a rotational basis upon approval of the Cash Aid
Handle case assignments when a recipient with an active CW program requests to cure a sanction
Answer incoming calls received at (209)953-7000 and forwards calls to CMs as needed
Provide CM’s contact information to callers
Greet and direct participants who walk in to see their CM, attend a class or training, or submit/pick up documents
Send queues via the PAM system to inform CMs of participants who wish to see them
‹#›
16
Click to edit Master title style
Coordination of Job Duties – Case Managers (Employment Training Specialists)
Ensure the participant transitions from activity to activity in a timely manner
Input data into CalSAWS regarding a participants:WTW Plan Activities Participation Hours WTW Status Journal Entries
Receive WTW Program assignments in their Workload Inventory
Review the case to determine if the participant is mandatory in the program
Makes cause determinations for non-cooperation
Develop a WTW Plan that is geared toward meeting the participant’s self-determined goals and milestones
Conduct conciliation with non-compliant participants
Cooperate with HSA Hearings staff when a participant files a Fair Hearing
Refer participants to appropriate activities and trainings
Notify the EW when a CW sanction is to be imposed
Inform participants of job leads and openings
Determine if there are possible mental health, substance abuse, or domestic violence barriers; make appropriate referrals for counseling
Determine exemptions and notifies the EW
Monitor the participant’s monthly attendance and progress in the assigned activity
Track the participants 60 MTC
Determine need for supportive services and authorizes payments
Track and report participation hours
‹#›
17