Someone who can help you understand or apply for benefit programs when you become disabled or turn 65. Their goal is to help you avoid financial complications while developing a sustainable plan for the future. To find a benefits planner in California, use the DB101 Benefits Planner Directory.
Temporary or transitional work that is performed in the public or private nonprofit sector that provides the Welfare-to-Work participant with job skills that can lead to employment.
The federal government pays benefits planners in communities around the country to help people think ahead about work incentives and benefits issues. CWIC'S are benefits planners who are trained by the Social Security Administration to assist beneficiaries with programs including Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) in addition to other related programs.
The amount of another person’s income – spouse, sponsor, sponsor’s spouse, parent – that is considered to belong to the individual regardless of whether the person receives this money.
A condition that is expected to last at least 30 days and that significantly impairs the individual’s ability to be regularly employed or participate in Welfare-to-Work activities.
To qualify for an exemption from Welfare-to-Work activities due to a disability, a CalWORKs recipient must provide verification from a physician that states the disability, its expected duration, and the extent to which it impairs employment and/or Welfare-to-Work activities. The individual must also actively seek medical treatment to qualify for an exemption.
Salaries, wages, tips, professional fees and other amounts received as pay for physical or mental work actually performed. Funds received from any other source are not included. (Contrast unearned income.)
A table of income amounts used to determine financial eligibility for federal and state programs. Each year, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issues the Federal Poverty Guidelines in the Federal Register. The Federal Poverty Level for one person is $10,830. For each additional person, add $3,480. For Medi-Cal programs, these figures go into effect in March or April of each year.
A county program that provides relief to those who are unable to support themselves by their own means, or by friends or relatives, other public funds, or other assistance programs.
Amount of cash aid a CalWORKs applicant is eligible for based on family size. Families who do not have any earned or unearned income are considered exempt and will receive a higher cash payment.
An employment activity under the Welfare-to-Work Program that provides skills to CalWORKs participants. An employer in the public or private sector can receive compensation for On-the-Job Training of a CalWORKs recipient.
Accessible cash resources that include: individual/joint checking and savings accounts, retirement accounts, stocks, bonds, mining rights and cash value in a life insurance policy.
Regular attendance and satisfactory progress in the Welfare-to-Work and Cal-Learn programs. In the Cal-Learn program, satisfactory progress is considered a grade point average of 2.0
Full-time vocational training or education that also fulfills the work activity requirements under the Welfare-to-Work Program. The training or program must be expected to be completed within 24 months and take place at an approved school.
A person who, by signing an affidavit of support, agrees to support an immigrant as a condition of the immigrant’s admission for permanent residence in the U.S.
Funds received from sources for which no paid work activity is performed.
Disability benefits such as SSDI, SSI, short term disability insurance, and long term disability insurance; VA benefits; Workers' Compensation; income from a trust or investment; spousal support; dividends, profits, or funds received from any source other than work are all usually considered unearned income.
CalWORKs generally defines unemployed as having worked less than 100 hours in the previous 4 weeks. In a two parent household, one of the parents can work more than 100 per month so long as the family income after deductions (countable income) is below the income limit for the program.
Activities that meet the Welfare-to-Work requirement. Most CalWORKs recipients must participate in 20 hours of core activities. Your county may include all or some of the following as acceptible core activities:
Subsidized or unsubsidized employment
Work experience
On-the-job training
Work-study
Self-employment
Community service
Vocational education and training
Job search and job readiness assistance
The rest of the Welfare-to-Work requirement can be fulfilled with non-core activities, which may include:
Adult basic education
Job skills training directly related to employment
Education directly related to employment
Secondary school
Mental health, substance abuse, and domestic violence services
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