WCLP is shocked and stunned by what we are hearing about cuts to CalWORKs. According to a press release from the Governor’s office, the CalWORKs program will cease to exist in its present form beginning in the middle of 2011. While the Legislature has not confirmed that this is the agreement here is what the Governor says has been agreed to:
Ø Beginning in July 2011, the following changes will be made to CalWORKs to help achieve structural stability in our state budget and increase the “work” focus of the program:
o Strengthening the program’s focus on work:
· There is a lifetime maximum of 60 months – but adults cannot stay on the program for more than 48 consecutive months. After 48 months, they are removed from the program and cannot receive aid for 12 months. After “sitting out” of the program for 12 months, an adult can receive another 12 months aid – for total lifetime maximum of 60 months.
· If work-eligible adults exceed 60 months, and for child-only cases, they lose the “adult” portion of the grant and the remaining family grant is reduced by 25 percent. If they meet work requirements, they will receive 100 percent of the child-only grant. If they are able to work but don’t, they will receive only 50 percent of the family grant.
· For non-work-eligible adults, the maximum aid is 75 percent of the child-only grant, unless they meet work participation requirements.
o Self-Sufficiency Reviews: All CalWORKs adults are required to meet face-to-face twice a year with county workers as a condition of eligibility. If they do not attend the meeting, they no longer meet the eligibility requirements and are removed from the program.
o Graduated Sanctions: Individuals who refuse to comply with program requirements will be subject to increased sanctions closer to those used in other states.
· Step 1: If an adult refuses to comply within a cumulative total of 3 months, the adult-portion of the grant is removed.
· Step 2: If, after another 3 months and an intervention, the adult does not comply, 25 percent of the grant is removed from the child-only portion.
· Step 3: If, after another 3 months and an intervention, the adult does not comply, another 25 percent is removed from the child-only portion, for a total of 50% child-only grant reduction.
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o Sanction “clock”: An adult in sanction status will continue to have that sanction time counted against their 48 month limit and lifetime maximum total of 60 months of aid.
The Governor’s press release also says Cost of Living Adjustments for CalWORKs and “other programs” are suspended indefinitely though other budget summaries suggest the COLAs are permanently eliminated. One source said the suspension is through 2012. The SSP COLA was not listed but may be in the "other programs" category.
If all this is accurate, the safety net in California is gone. No longer will California provide a safety net to protect children, a hallmark of the bi-partisan 1997 CalWORKs deal. These proposals make deep cuts to cash assistance that will make it impossible for families with children to pay rent, utilities and food. The impact on poor children will be immense, particularly for families with the most barriers to employment.
WCLP will be issuing a letter of opposition to the Big 5 agreement and urge other organizations to express their outrage also.