SACRAMENTO — Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order today that temporarily broadens the capability of counties to enroll persons into the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program using various eligibility verification methods due to social distancing requirements.

The provisions allow for temporary self-attestation of pregnancy and conditions of eligibility, and waive in-person identification requirements.

The executive order also expands the opportunity for individuals to qualify for a limited amount of lump-sum financial assistance instead of receiving CalWORKs, as long as their income is below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level, and supports families by suspending the requirement for county welfare departments to consider Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation as income when determining CalWORKs grant amounts.

The text of the Governor’s executive order can be found here and a copy can be found here.

Learn more about the state’s ongoing COVID-19 response efforts here. Visit covid19.ca.gov for critical steps Californians can take to stay healthy, and resources available to those impacted by the outbreak.

SWM NOTE: For those of you wonder just what CALWORKS is or does, please note the following:

California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs)

Assistance available through the CalWORKs program is limited to a period of 60 months; it is designed to provide eligible, needy families with temporary cash assistance and services.  Once a family has met the eligibility requirements, cash payments are made on a monthly basis to help pay for housing, food, utilities and other necessary expenses.  The amount of assistance a family receives is determined by many factors including family size and income.  Additional payments can also be made if there are special circumstances such as pregnancy or homelessness.  Assistance payments are recalculated on a quarterly basis utilizing updated information received from the family.  Most CalWORKs recipients are also eligible for assistance through the Medi-Cal and Food Stamps programs.

CalWORKs recipients have the option of receiving their cash benefits through an EBT card or they may have them direct deposited into their bank account.  The EBT card can be used at designated retailers or ATMs to access their monthly cash grant and Food Stamp benefits.