Download or read book California Budget Project TANF and CalWORKs written by and published by . This book was released on with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: TANF funds are combined with state maintenance of effort (MOE) dollars to finance CalWORKs cash assistance, child care, employment services, and related expenditures.1 California has spent 96.1 percent of all funds received since federal fiscal year (FFY) 1997 (Figure 1).2 The state has spent 99.9 percent of TANF funds received in FFY 2000, and 76.2 percent of funds received in the first three qua. [...] COUNTIES ARE SPENDING MAIN EMPLOYMENT SERVICES FUNDS California counties spent essentially all (97.6 percent) of the $1.7 billion single allocation funds in the state fiscal year ending June 30, 2001. [...] Figure 2: Counties Spent All "Single Allocation" Funds in 2000-01 Unspent funds: $42 million (2.4%) Spent funds: $1,686 million (97.6%) Source: Department of Social Services Figure 3: Counties Spent Nearly All of 2000-01 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Allocation Spent funds: $98.3 million (90.3%) Unspent funds: $10.6 million (9.7%) Source: Department of Social Services 3 Counties have also rece. [...] ENDNOTES 1 For a detailed explanation of the funding structure for CalWORKs and TANF, see California Budget Project, TANF and CalWORKs: How California Spends the Money (August 2001). [...] The CBP engages in independent fiscal and policy analysis and public education with the goal of improving public policies affecting the economic and social well- being of low and middle income Californians.
Download or read book California Budget Project TANF and CalWORKs written by and published by . This book was released on with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The California Department of Social Services (DSS) spends the majority of TANF and MOE funds within the CalWORKs program. [...] The county spending requirement for single allocation funds is equal to the amount spent for administration in 1996-97.6 Counties received $1.8 billion and spent an additional $63 million of their own funds on these programs in 2000-01. [...] Mental Health and Substance Abuse Allocations: State law provides for separate funding streams for mental health and substance abuse services for CalWORKs recipients.7 As in the case of single alloca- tion funds, counties were originally allowed to carry over unspent mental health and substance abuse funds to the next fiscal year. [...] Counties spent 96 percent of the amounts allocated to them for employment services and administration in 1999-00 and have spent 45 percent of the 2000-01 allocations in the first two fiscal quarters.13 This pattern can be explained in part by the fact that county programs underwent major transformations in 1998 and 1999 to implement the new CalWORKs program and had not fully ramped up services unt. [...] It is likely that counties will spend the same or a higher percentage of the allocations in 2000-01 based on expendi- tures in the first half of the year.
Download or read book California Budget Project CalWORKs written by and published by . This book was released on with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: California established the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program in 1997 to conform the state's welfare system to the new federal law. [...] In fact, CalWORKs expenditures now exceed available funding by several hundred million dol- lars, and the state has been drawing down the TANF surplus to close the gap.3 Consequently, the TANF surplus is projected to fall to $253 million at the end of fiscal year 2001-02, a 71 percent drop since 1997-98 (Figure 1). [...] This reserve is not large enough to bridge the estimated CalWORKs deficit in 2002-03, prompting the Governor to propose cuts to the program in his Budget (discussed below). [...] The TANF surplus will effectively disappear in 2003.4 In addition to static federal and state funding, two factors have contributed to the emergence of the CalWORKs deficit: • The state and counties have expanded employment and training services and child care subsi- dies, and used TANF and MOE funds to pay for a range of CalWORKs-related initiatives designed to help families transition from welfa. [...] The state reinstated cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for cash grants in 1998-99, after suspending COLAs and reducing grant payments during much of the 1990s.10 COLAs increased the maximum monthly CalWORKs grant for a family of three in high-cost regions by 20 percent, from $565 in 1997-98 to $679 in 2001-02.11 However, this is well below the 2002 federal poverty level of $1,252 per month for a.
Download or read book Budget Backgrounders written by and published by . This book was released on with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: • CalWORKs was enacted in 1997 in response to the 1996 federal welfare reform law, which created the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant to replace the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program.1 Implementation of CalWORKs began in 1998. [...] • However, the Governor proposes to increase the amount of TANF funds used to replace Gen- eral Fund spending in non-CalWORKs programs in 2003-04 and 2004-05.5 The Proposed Budget uses $78.1 million in TANF funds to reduce General Fund spending in the Child Wel- fare Services (CWS) and In-Home Supportive Services programs in 2003-04, and $108.5 million to reduce General Fund spending in the CWS an. [...] However, the Governor has declined to provide the statu- tory CalWORKs cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) that became effective on October 1, 2003, as a result of the reduction in the Vehicle License Fee (VLF) rate.7 The Governor also proposes to suspend the July 2004 COLA and cut grants by 5 percent. [...] • These changes would affect nearly 50,000 CalWORKs families and would reduce the maxi- mum child-only grant for a family of three in a high-cost county from $540 to $405 per month, if the Governor's proposals to suspend COLAs and reduce CalWORKs grants are also enacted. [...] The CBP engages in independent fiscal and policy analysis and public education with the goal of improving public policies affecting the economic and social well-being of low- and middle-income Californians.
Download or read book California Budget Project TANF Reauthorization written by and published by . This book was released on with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: At the same time, Congress must reauthorize the Child Care and Development Fund, the Food Stamp Program, the Social Services Block Grant, and funding for abstinence education in order for funding for these programs to continue. [...] Specifically, Congress can: • Assess the impact of welfare reform to date; • Revisit and possibly redefine the goals of TANF; • Define appropriate funding levels for state block grants and related funds; • Modify the requirements TANF imposes on states and recipients; and • Enhance the flexibility of states to provide services with TANF funds, while holding states accountable for their performance. [...] Prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies and establish annual numeri- cal goals for preventing and reducing the incidence of these pregnancies; and 4. [...] California's caseload decline has lagged that of the nation as a whole, due in part to the state's delayed emergence from the reces- sion of the early 1990s, due process provisions for CalWORKs recipients who are at risk of financial penalties, and California's more generous grant levels and "earnings disregards." With higher grants and more generous earnings disregards, working families can work. [...] The federal welfare law imposes a five-year lifetime limit on the receipt of federal cash assistance and services, although states may exempt up to 20 percent of the caseload from the time limit.
Download or read book TANF and CalWORKS written by and published by . This book was released on 2001 with total page 14 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book California s Response to Recent TANF Changes Should Preserve the Strengths of the CalWORKs Program written by Scott Graves and published by . This book was released on 2006 with total page 6 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book California Budget Project Qhick Hit Updating California s Food Stamps and CalWORKs Vehicle Rule 5 1 01 written by and published by . This book was released on with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In the 23 years since the food stamp vehicle limit was originally set at $4,500, it has been increased only $150 - about 3 percent - while the Consumer Price Index for cars has nearly tripled.2 For the vehicle limit to have the same value today that the $4,500 limit had in 1977, it would need to be set at $13,196. [...] Under current vehicle rules, CalWORKs and food stamp eligibility determinations are generally based on a vehicle's fair market value, not on the equity a household has in the vehicle.3 A vehicle can disqualify a household from receiving food stamps even if the household has little equity in it, and thus would receive little money from selling the vehicle. [...] This year the DSS estimates that the cost associated with more families being eligible to receive food stamps and CalWORKs will be about $35 million, significantly higher than last year's estimate.13 The DSS has also estimated administrative savings ranging from $2 million to $6.5 million using a variety of assumptions.14 The above estimates suggest that the net impact of exempting one vehicle per. [...] However, new federal rules require California to begin exempting many of these same vehicles.15 The DSS estimates that the cost of implementing the new federal rules will be the same as exempting one vehicle per family.16 Thus the additional cost of exempting vehicles not covered by the federal rules will likely be small and perhaps negligible. [...] Thus, the DSS estimated the cost of implementing the new regulations by estimating the cost of exempting one vehicle per family.
Download or read book CALIFORNIA S RESPONSE TO RECENT TANF CHANGES SHOULD PRESERVE THE STRENGTHS OF THE CALWORKS PROGRAM C Budget Brief JUNE 2005 written by and published by . This book was released on with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A fixed federal allocation of $3.7 billion and $2.7 billion in state and county maintenance of effort (MOE) funds, the minimum amount required by federal law, provide funding for CalWORKs and related programs.2 These policy changes shifted the focus of welfare from providing cash aid to needy families to helping participants overcome barriers to employment, find a job, and move toward self-suffici. [...] The DRA, for example, requires the DHHS to define both federal work activities and the circumstances under which an unaided adult who resides with a child receiving assistance (a "child-only" case) should be included in the federal work rate calculation.10 These new regulations could make it harder for states to meet the higher work participation requirements. [...] California Should Preserve the Strengths of the CalWORKs Program Policymakers may wish to modify certain CalWORKs policies in order to increase the state's work participation rate and thereby minimize or avoid federal penalties. [...] For example, the state could attempt to increase the participation of 4 individuals who are already working in federally-allowable activities, but for an insufficient number of hours to meet the federal requirement.11 Prior to modifying CalWORKs, however, policymakers should identify the program's key strengths and ensure that any proposed changes preserve or enhance those strengths. [...] 16 Counties may reduce the exemption period for a parent with a young child to the first 12 weeks, or increase it to the first 12 months, after the birth or adoption of the child.
Download or read book Welfare Reform Update CALIFORNIA EXHAUSTS AVAILABLE TANF FUNDS CONSIDERS ADDITIONAL WELFARE SPENDING REDUCTIONS written by and published by . This book was released on with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In response to static TANF funding, rising program costs, and large budget shortfalls, the state has reduced support for key components of the CalWORKs program. [...] For example, the Governor has proposed eliminating child care subsidies to certain families that have left welfare for savings of $98.8 million, suspending the June 2003 and October 2003 COLAs for savings California Expenditures of TANF Block Grant Funds, Federal Fiscal Years 1997-2002 Note: Expenditures include funds transferred to the Child Care and Development Fund and the Social Services Block. [...] 3 In the 2003-04 Proposed Budget, the Governor suspends the statutory COLAs for June and October 2003 and reduces cash assistance grant levels by 6.2 percent. [...] Moreover, the Legislative Analyst's Office indicates that the Governor overbudgeted for CalWORKs costs by $350 million.6 However, these funds are not enough to offset the CalWORKs reductions and freezes proposed in the Governor's Budget. [...] The CBP engages in independent fiscal and policy analysis and public education with the goal of improving public policies affecting the economic and social well-being of low- and middle- income Californians.
Download or read book California Budget Project Voters Believe That Welfare Reform Should Move Families Out of Poverty 4 02 written by and published by . This book was released on with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 73% 61% 51% 62% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% Percentage Of Voters That Support Changing The Goal Of Welfare Reform To Move People Out Of Poverty, Instead Of Into A Job Where They Will Not Earn Enough To Support Their Family Democrats Independents Republicans Total Voters Believe That The Principal Goal Of Welfare Reform Should Be Moving Families Out Of Poverty 4 THE CONTEXT FOR THE SURVEY: V. [...] Voters Support Changes To Welfare Reform Voters support changing the principal goal of the TANF system to that of moving people out of poverty. [...] Using a scale of 0 to 10, where 10 equals the most important and zero the least importance, voters rate making sure poor children receive basics like food and clothing as the most important goal for change (9.09).3 After meeting the needs of children, voters say an important goal of change is giving people the training and skills they need to get a good job (8.55), and moving families out of pover. [...] The TANF block grant and the state maintenance of effort (MOE) requirement have remained constant since the enactment of welfare reform in 1996.4 The CalWORKs program currently faces a fiscal crisis due to the gap between high and rising program costs on the one hand, and flat funding on the other. [...] State flexibility has allowed California to give counties the ability to address the CalWORKs recipients' wide range of needs, to reflect the diversity of local economic conditions throughout the state, and to craft programs that reflect the needs and preferences of local communities.
Download or read book California Budget Project Comparison of Key Provisions in TANF Reauthorization Proposals 6 28 02 written by and published by . This book was released on with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Provides $2 billion to reinstate the contingency fund and updates the rules for accessing the fund. [...] Provides $2 billion to reinstate the contingency fund and updates the rules for accessing the fund. [...] Provides $2 billion to reinstate the contingency fund and updates the rules for accessing the fund. [...] TANF Goals And Purposes Restates that the purpose of TANF is to "increase the flexibility of states in operating a program designed to improve the well-being of children." Changes the second TANF purpose to "end the dependence of needy families on government benefits and reduce poverty by promoting job preparation, work, and marriage." Changes the fourth purpose from "encourag[ing] the formation a. [...] Changes the second TANF purpose to "end the dependence of needy families on government benefits and reduce poverty by promoting job preparation, work, and marriage." Changes the fourth purpose from "encourag[ing] the formation and maintenance of two- parent families" to "encourag[ing] the No change.
Download or read book Lasting Returns written by California Budget Project and published by . This book was released on 2001 with total page 44 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book THE GOVERNOR S PROPOSED BUDGET WOULD ELIMINATE CALWORKS CASH ASSISTANCE FOR MORE THAN 1 4 MILLION LOW INCOME CHILDREN AND PARENTS written by and published by . This book was released on with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This proposal would terminate cash assistance and a range of services for more than 1.4 million low-income children and parents as of October 1, 2010.2 Eliminating CalWORKs would cause California to lose three-quarters ($2.8 billion) of the state's federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant in 2010-11, and to lose the state's entire annual $3.7 billion TANF block grant ever. [...] 2 Estimated County Impact of Governor's Major CalWORKs Program Proposals Reduce CalWORKs Payments by 15.7 Percent Eliminate CalWORKs Program County Number of Recipients for Whom Cash Assistance Would Be Reduced Number of Recipients Who Would Lose All Cash Assistance Total Loss of Funds, June 2010 Through June 2011 Number of Recipients Who Would Lose Cash Assistance and Services Total Loss of Funds. [...] Total recipients whose grant would be reduced under the grant reduction proposal is based on a Department of Social Services (DSS) projection of the average monthly number of CalWORKs cash assistance recipients in 2010-11, assuming the elimination of eligibility for recent legal immigrants. [...] Total recipients who would lose their entire grant under this proposal is based on a DSS projection of the number of families affected (8,400), adjusted by the CBP to reflect the average number of persons per family for families receiving cash assistance. [...] Total recipients who would be affected by the CalWORKs elimination proposal reflects the average monthly CalWORKs caseload in 2010-11 based on a DSS forecast, adjusted by the CBP to represent the projected caseload assuming the Governor's proposals are not enacted and to include families who receive CalWORKs services but not cash assistance.
Download or read book California Budget Project Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Human Resources of the House Committee on Ways and Means 4 11 02 written by and published by . This book was released on with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: My testimony will address the impact of welfare reform in California and the issues that you are considering as part of the reauthorization debate that are important as California strives to move families from welfare to work. [...] Approximately 60 percent of people who leave CalWORKs are working, though many do not earn enough to support a family.2 In 1999, 42.8 percent of adults receiving cash assistance through CalWORKs were employed, much higher than the national average of 27.6 1 This includes actual reported expenditures, as well as transfers from the TANF block grant to the Social Services Block Grant and the Child Ca. [...] In addition, funding for the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) must be increased in order to ensure that families are not forced back on to welfare because they cannot afford the child care they need to remain in the workforce. [...] The original program rules do not reflect the fiscal realities of states and the maintenance of effort requirement makes the fund essentially useless to states when they are most in need. [...] To limit this flexibility would undermine one of the guiding principles of welfare reform: that states, rather than the federal government, are best situated to identify the needs of local communities.
Download or read book California Budget Project Mandatory TANF Sanction Policy Reduces Flexibility In California 5 03 02 written by and published by . This book was released on with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: California Has Moderate Sanction Rate, Maintains Aid To Children California has an adult-only sanction policy and a statewide sanction process.1 When an adult is found to be non-compliant with work or other program requirements, the family's cash grant is reduced by the amount attributable to the adult, while cash assistance is continued to children in the family. [...] Over a third of California's 58 counties (22 counties) have sanction rates at or below 10 percent, and Glenn and Calaveras Counties have the highest sanction rates of 42 and 43 percent, respectively.3 Los Angeles County has a sanction rate of 16 percent, the same as the state as a whole. [...] Differences in sanction rates among counties may result from the reluc- tance or inclination of administrators and caseworkers to impose sanctions, competing demands on caseworkers' time, and differing rates of compliance by CalWORKs participants.4 HR 4090, as amended, would mean the loss of hundreds of dollars per month for families with an adult who did not comply with TANF work requirements. [...] However, among counties with sanction rates higher than the statewide rate of 16 percent, higher sanction rates are not related to higher participation rates.12 That is, counties with high sanction rates do not tend to have higher participation rates than counties with moderate sanction rates. [...] The Public Policy Institute of California has estimated that if California had lower benefit levels and a full-family sanction policy, the state's caseload would have dropped an additional 36 percentage points between 1996 and 2000.13 In sum, the benefit of full-family sanctions in terms of increased participation may be small, since evidence indicates that higher sanction rates may not increase p.
Download or read book Welfare Reform Update Housing Matters for CalWORKs Families I written by and published by . This book was released on with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This Update explores ways to expand the use of federal TANF and state CalWORKs funds to provide housing assistance to families making the transition from welfare to work. [...] The program subsidizes 60 percent of a participants rent during the first six months in the program, and 30 percent for the following six months, in a housing unit of the participants choosing. [...] Last spring, the federal Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) issued a final definition of assistance for the purposes of TANF.11 The definition of assistance is important because it deter- mines whether recipients of program benefits and services are subject to key TANF requirements, including time limits, work requirements, data collection and reporting, and child support assignment. [...] Federal Commitment to Housing Assistance in California is Insufficient Of the ten largest states, California received the second lowest level of federal housing assistance in 1999 for each person below the federal poverty level.19 While the federal government spent a national average of $286 on housing assistance for each person in poverty, California received only $171 per person in poverty. [...] The CBP engages in independent fiscal and policy analysis and public education with the goal of improving public policies affecting the economic and social well-being of low and middle income Californians.
