MEETING DATE: 3/19/2019
DEPARTMENT: HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY
DEPT HEAD/DIRECTOR: Tracey Belton
AGENDA ITEM PREPARER: Maria C. Corona
SBC DEPT FILE NUMBER: 130
SUBJECT:
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY - T. BELTON, INTERIM
Update General Assistance Maximum Aid amounts effective April 1, 2019; and approve budget adjustment in the amount of $105,000.00. (4/5 vote)
SBC FILE NUMBER: 130
AGENDA SECTION:
CONSENT AGENDA
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:
The General Assistance maximum standard of aid is established pursuant to the framework provided in the Welfare and Institutions Code 17000.5. W&I section 17000.5 allows counties to discharge their general
assistance obligations by setting grant levels at 62 percent of the 1991 federal official poverty line and adjusting that standard according to AFDC (now CalWorks) adjustments. The passage of AB 1811 (Chapter 35, Statutes of 2018), which was signed by the Governor on June 27, 2018, increased the CalWorks maximum aid payment (MAP) levels. This increase triggers an adjustment to the general assistance standard of aid from $331.00 for a single person to $364.00 and from $541.00 for a two person household to $595.00, effective April 1, 2019.
On July 26, 2016, the Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution approving the revised general assistance program handbook. Only page 31, of the general assistance program handbook will be updated to reflect the new aid amounts for the program.
BUDGETED:
Yes
SBC BUDGET LINE ITEM NUMBER:
101.15.1095.1000.630.119
CURRENT FY COST:
FY 18-19 $360,000
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
1. Approve an increase to the maximum General Assistance standard of aid to align with CalWORKs Maximum Aid Payment effective April 1, 2019.
2. Approve the revisions to the Maximum Aid Table on page 31 of the General Assistance Handbook to reflect the changes in the new standard of aid effective April 1, 2019.
3. Approve budget adjustment increasing Aid to Indigents budget by $105,000 for FY18/19.
ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL: No