11250-11270
WELFARE AND INSTITUTIONS CODE
SECTION 11250-11270
11250. Aid, services, or both shall be granted under the provisions of this chapter, and subject to the regulations of the department, to families with related children under the age of 18 years, except as provided in Section 11253, in need thereof because they have been deprived of parental support or care due to: (a) The death, physical or mental incapacity, or incarceration of a parent. (b) The unemployment of a parent or parents. (c) Continued absence of a parent from the home due to divorce, separation, desertion, or any other reason, except absence occasioned solely by reason of the performance of active duty in the uniformed services of the United States. "Continued absence" exists when the nature of the absence is such as either to interrupt or to terminate the parent's functioning as a provider of maintenance, physical care, or guidance for the child, and the known or indefinite duration of the absence precludes counting on the parent's performance of the function of planning for the present support or care of the child. If these conditions exist, the parent may be absent for any reason, and may have left only recently or some time previously. 11250.4. Aid under this chapter shall not be payable to an assistance unit if a caretaker relative is, on the last day of the month, participating in a strike, unless the strike is necessitated by an imminent health and safety hazard or abnormally dangerous working conditions at the place of employment as determined by the Division of Occupational Safety and Health, or a lockout as defined in Section 1132.8 of the Labor Code. For the purposes of this section, a strike necessitated by an imminent health and safety hazard or abnormally dangerous working condition shall last only so long as necessitated by the imminent hazard or abnormally dangerous working condition. If an individual other than a caretaker relative is participating in a strike, as defined in this section, on the last day of the month, subject to the exceptions and their limitations set forth in this section, that individual's needs shall not be included in determining the amount of aid payable to the assistance unit for the month during which the individual is participating in the strike on the last day of that month. 11250.6. Except where inconsistent with federal laws, the income of any person under a contract of employment on an annual basis but who works and receives income from such contract in fewer than 12 months, but more than eight months, shall be prorated over the period of the contract for the purposes of this chapter. 11250.7. Except where inconsistent with federal law, the salary of a full-time certificated employee of a school district shall be prorated over a 12-month period for the purposes of determining eligibility for aid under this chapter. 11250.8. If an applicant for, or recipient of, benefits pursuant to this chapter receives one or more educational loans or grants, for purposes of determining availability of income, that person's educational expenses shall not be applied to any educational loans or grants which, under federal or state law, are totally exempt from consideration as income for purposes of determining eligibility for benefits under this chapter. 11251.3. (a) An individual shall be ineligible for aid under this chapter if the individual has been convicted in state or federal court after December 31, 1997, including any plea of guilty or nolo contendere, of any offense classified as a felony and that has as an element of the possession, use, or distribution of a controlled substance, defined in Section 102(6) of the Controlled Substance Act (21 U.S.C. Sec. 802(6)). (b) For a family receiving aid under this chapter that includes an individual who is ineligible pursuant to subdivision (a), a county shall issue vouchers or vendor payments for at least rent and utilities payments. 11251.3. (a) An individual shall be ineligible for aid under this chapter if the individual has been convicted in state or federal court after December 31, 1997, including any plea of guilty or nolo contendere, of a felony that has as an element the possession, use, or distribution of a controlled substance, defined in Section 102(6) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. Sec. 802(6)) or Division 10 (commencing with Section 11000) of the Health and Safety Code. (b) For a family receiving aid under this chapter that includes an individual who is ineligible pursuant to subdivision (a), a county shall issue vouchers or vendor payments for at least rent and utilities payments. 11253. (a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), aid shall not be granted under this chapter to or on behalf of any child who has attained 18 years of age unless all of the following apply: (1) The child is less than 19 years of age and is attending high school or the equivalent level of vocational or technical training on a full-time basis. (2) The child can reasonably be expected to complete the educational or training program before his or her 19th birthday. (b) On and after January 1, 2012, aid shall be granted under this chapter to or on behalf of any nonminor dependent, as defined in subdivision (v) of Section 11400, if the nonminor dependent is placed in the approved home of a relative under the supervision of the county child welfare or probation department or Indian tribe that has entered into an agreement pursuant to Section 10553.1, and the nonminor dependent otherwise is eligible pursuant to Section 11403. 11253.3. (b) The nonminor dependent shall continue to receive the same grant amount as a CalWORKs grant recipient in an assistance unit of one, pursuant to the amount set forth in Section 11450. Any changes to the CalWORKs grant amount shall also apply to the nonminor dependent's grant. 11253.5. (a) All children in an assistance unit for whom school attendance is compulsory, except individuals who are eligible for the Cal-Learn program under Article 3.5 (commencing with Section 11331) and children subject to a county school attendance project under Article 2 (commencing with Section 18236) of Chapter 3.3 of Part 6, shall be required to attend school. (b) Applicants for and recipients of aid under this chapter shall be informed of the attendance requirement and it shall be included in the recipient's welfare-to-work plan under Section 11325.21. (c) A recipient shall cooperate in providing the county with documentation routinely available from the school or school district of regular attendance of all applicable children in the assistance unit when the county determines it is appropriate. (d) If it is determined by the county that any eligible child under the age of 16 years is not regularly attending school as required, the needs of all adults in the assistance unit shall not be considered in computing the grant of the family under Section 11450 unless it has been determined by the county that good cause exists. (e) If it is determined by the county that any child in the assistance unit who is age 16 years or older is not regularly attending school as required, or participating pursuant to a welfare-to-work plan, the needs of the child shall not be considered in computing the grant of the family under Section 11450 unless it has been determined by the county that good cause exists. 11254. (a) Subject to subdivision (b), in the case of any individual who is under the age of 18 years and has never married, and who is pregnant or has a dependent child in his or her care: (1) The individual may receive aid under this chapter for the individual and the child, if otherwise eligible, only if the individual and child reside in a place of residence maintained by a parent, legal guardian, or other adult relative of the individual as the parent's, guardian's, or adult relative's own home, or in another adult-supervised supportive living arrangement. (2) The aid, where possible, shall be provided to the parent, legal guardian, or other adult relative on behalf of the individual. (b) Subdivision (a) does not apply in any of the following circumstances: (1) The individual has no parent or legal guardian of his or her own who is living or whose whereabouts are known. (2) No living parent or legal guardian of the individual allows the individual to live in the home of the parent or guardian. (3) It is determined by the child protective services worker that the physical or emotional health or safety of the individual or child would be jeopardized if the individual and child lived in the same residence with the individual's own parent, legal guardian or other adult relative. (4) The individual lived apart from his or her parent or legal guardian for a period of at least one year before either the birth of any such child or the individual having made application for aid under this chapter. (5) It is determined in accordance with federal regulations that there is good cause for waiving subdivision (a). 11256. For the purposes of this chapter only, the ownership of stock in a water company not appurtenant to the land shall be considered real property to the extent of and in the amount necessary to obtain water for agricultural purposes. 11257. (a) No aid under this chapter shall be granted or paid for any child who has real or personal property, the combined market value reduced by any obligations or debts with respect to this property of which exceeds one thousand dollars ($1,000), or for any child or children in one family who have, or whose parents have, or the child or children and parents have, real and personal property the combined market value reduced by any obligations or debts with respect to this property which exceeds one thousand dollars ($1,000). For purposes of this subdivision, real and personal property shall be considered both when actually available and when the applicant or recipient has a legal interest in a liquidated sum and has the legal ability to make that sum available for support and maintenance. (b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a) above, an applicant or recipient may retain the following: (1) Personal or real property owned by him or her, or in combination with any other person, without reference to its value, if it serves to provide the applicant or recipient with a home. If the basic home is a unit in a multiple dwelling, then only that unit shall be exempt. For the purposes of paragraph (1), if an applicant has entered into a marital separation for the purpose of trial or legal separation or dissolution, real property which was the usual home of the applicant shall be exempt for three months following the end of the month in which aid begins. If the recipient was receiving aid when the marital separation occurred, the period of exemption shall be three months following the end of the month in which the separation occurs. To remain exempt following this three-month period, the home must be occupied by the recipient, or be unavailable for use, control, and possession due to legal proceedings affecting a property settlement or sale of the property. (2) Personal property consisting of one automobile with maximum equity value as permitted by federal law. (3) In addition to the foregoing, the director may at his or her discretion, and to the extent permitted by federal law, exempt other items of personal property not exempted under this section. 11257. (a) To the extent not inconsistent with Sections 11265.1, 11265.2, 11265.3, and 11004.1, no aid under this chapter shall be granted or paid for any child who has real or personal property, the combined market value reduced by any obligations or debts with respect to this property of which exceeds one thousand dollars ($1,000), or for any child or children in one family who have, or whose parents have, or the child or children and parents have, real and personal property the combined market value reduced by any obligations or debts with respect to this property which exceeds one thousand dollars ($1,000). For purposes of this subdivision, real and personal property shall be considered both when actually available and when the applicant or recipient has a legal interest in a liquidated sum and has the legal ability to make that sum available for support and maintenance. (b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a) above, an applicant or recipient may retain the following: (1) Personal or real property owned by him or her, or in combination with any other person, without reference to its value, if it serves to provide the applicant or recipient with a home. If the basic home is a unit in a multiple dwelling, then only that unit shall be exempt. For the purposes of paragraph (1), if an applicant has entered into a marital separation for the purpose of trial or legal separation or dissolution, real property which was the usual home of the applicant shall be exempt for three months following the end of the month in which aid begins. If the recipient was receiving aid when the marital separation occurred, the period of exemption shall be three months following the end of the month in which the separation occurs. To remain exempt following this three-month period, the home must be occupied by the recipient, or be unavailable for use, control, and possession due to legal proceedings affecting a property settlement or sale of the property. (2) Personal property consisting of one automobile with maximum equity value as permitted by federal law. (3) In addition to the foregoing, the director may at his or her discretion, and to the extent permitted by federal law, exempt other items of personal property not exempted under this section. 11257.5. Notwithstanding the property limitations in subdivision (a) of Section 11257, a family may retain, for nine months, real property if the family is making a good faith effort to sell the real property. However, any aid payable to the family for the nine-month period shall be conditioned upon the sale. At the time of the sale any aid payments made during the nine-month period shall be considered overpayments to the extent they would not have been made had the sale occurred at the beginning of the nine-month period. Notwithstanding Section 11004 overpayments shall be recouped from the proceeds of the sale. If the real property has not been sold at the end of the nine-month period, the family shall be ineligible for aid if the combined net value of the real and personal property owned by the family exceeds the one thousand dollar ($1,000) limitation in Section 11257. Notwithstanding Section 11007 as a condition to the granting of aid pursuant to this section, the family shall grant the county a lien upon the real property as security for the aid to be paid. The lien shall be used to recoup any overpayments incurred pursuant to this section. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the lien shall not be enforceable by the sale of the secured property by the county. The lien of the county shall be paid upon the sale of the property. The department shall define good faith effort in regulation. 11259. For the purposes of this chapter, "personal property" shall not include the value of property belonging to an absent parent and not available to the family. 11260. A child's share of any estate, which share has not been distributed and of which he has no present economic use, does not constitute property for the purpose of this chapter. 11263. Except as provided in Sections 11253 and 11455, no person over the age of 18 years is a needy child within the meaning of this chapter. 11263.5. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a child living with his or her parent, where the parent is a minor and a recipient of foster care pursuant to Article 5 (commencing with Section 11400), is not an eligible child within the meaning of this chapter for the purpose of payment of AFDC benefits other than AFDC-FC benefits. 11264. No child maintained in an institution, for whom a bona fide offer of a proper home has been made, is eligible for further aid; but no institution shall be required to surrender a child to any person of religious faith different from that of the child or the parents of the child. 11265. (a) The county shall redetermine eligibility annually. The county shall at the time of the redetermination, and may at other intervals as may be deemed necessary, require the family to complete a certificate of eligibility containing a written declaration of the information that may be required to establish the continuing eligibility and amount of grant pursuant to Section 11004. (b) The certificate shall include blanks wherein shall be stated the names of all children receiving aid, their present place of residence, the names and status of any other adults living in the home, the name, and if known, the social security number and present whereabouts of a parent who is not living in the home, and any outside income that may have been received through employment, gifts, or the sale of real or personal property. Each adult member of the family shall provide, under penalty of perjury, the information necessary to complete the certificate. (c) If the certificate is mailed to the family, it shall be accompanied by a stamped envelope for its return. In the event the certificate is not completed and returned within 10 days after it is mailed or personally delivered to the family, a home visit or other personal meeting shall be made to or with the family, and the certificate shall then be completed with the assistance of the eligibility worker, if needed. The department may adopt regulations providing for waiver of the deadline for returning the completed certificate when the recipient is considered to be mentally or physically unable to meet the deadline. 11265.1. (a) Except as provided in Section 11265.5, in addition to the requirement for the annual redetermination of eligibility, the department shall establish regulations consistent with federal law to implement a recipient monthly reporting system for use in determining monthly eligibility and the amount of the grant. The department shall define what constitutes a complete report and shall specify the deadlines for submitting a complete report, as well as the consequences of, and good cause for, failure to submit a complete report. The department shall adopt fair and equitable regulations implementing the monthly reporting requirement. (b) This section shall become inoperative on the date that the director executes a declaration stating that Section 11265.2, as added by the act adding this subdivision, is fully implemented statewide, and shall be repealed on January 1 of the year following the year in which it becomes inoperative. 11265.1. (a) In addition to the requirement for an annual redetermination of eligibility, counties shall redetermine recipient eligibility and grant amounts on a quarterly basis using prospective budgeting. Counties shall use the information reported on a recipient' s quarterly report form to prospectively determine eligibility and grant amount for the following quarterly reporting period. (b) A quarterly reporting period shall be three consecutive calendar months. The recipient shall submit one quarterly report form for each quarterly reporting period. Counties shall provide a quarterly report form to recipients at the end of the second month of the quarterly reporting period, and recipients shall return the completed quarterly report form with required verification to the county by the 11th day of the third month of the quarterly reporting period. (c) Counties may establish staggered quarterly reporting cycles based on factors established or approved by the department, including, but not limited to, application date or case number. (d) The quarterly report form shall be signed under penalty of perjury, and shall include only information necessary to determine CalWORKs and food stamp eligibility and calculate the CalWORKs grant amount and food stamp allotment, as specified by the department. The form shall be as comprehensible as possible for recipients and shall require recipients to provide the following: (1) Information about income received during the second month of the quarterly reporting period. (2) Information about income that the recipient anticipates receiving during the following quarterly reporting period. (3) Any other changes to facts required to be reported, together with any changes to those facts that the recipient anticipates will occur. The recipient shall provide verification as specified by the department with the quarterly report form. (e) A quarterly report form shall be considered complete if the following requirements, as specified by the department, are met: (1) The form is signed no earlier than the first day of the third month of the quarterly reporting period by the persons specified by the department. (2) All questions and items pertaining to CalWORKs and food stamp eligibility and grant amount are answered. (3) Verification required by the department is provided. (f) If a recipient fails to submit a complete quarterly report form, as defined in subdivision (e), by the 11th day of the third month of the quarterly reporting period, the county shall provide the recipient with a notice that the county will terminate benefits at the end of the month. Prior to terminating benefits, the county shall attempt to make personal contact to remind the recipient that a completed report is due, or, if contact is not made, shall send a reminder notice to the recipient no later than five days prior to the end of the month. Any discontinuance notice shall be rescinded if a complete report is received by the first working day of the first month of the following quarterly reporting period. (g) The county may determine, at any time prior to the last day of the calendar month following discontinuance for nonsubmission of a quarterly report form, that a recipient had good cause for failing to submit a complete quarterly report form, as defined in subdivision (e), by the first working day of the month following discontinuance. If the county finds a recipient had good cause, as defined by the department, it shall rescind the discontinuance notice. Good cause exists only when the recipient cannot reasonably be expected to fulfill his or her reporting responsibilities due to factors outside of the recipient's control. 11265.2. (a) The grant amount a recipient shall be entitled to receive for each month of the quarterly reporting period shall be prospectively determined as provided by this section. If a recipient reports that he or she does not anticipate any changes in income during the upcoming quarter, compared to the income the recipient reported actually receiving on the quarterly report form, the grant shall be calculated using the actual income received. If a recipient reports that he or she anticipates a change in income in one or more months of the upcoming quarter, the county shall determine whether the recipient's income is reasonably anticipated. The grant shall be calculated using the income that the county determines is reasonably anticipated in each of the three months of the upcoming quarter. (b) For the purposes of the quarterly reporting, prospective budgeting system, income shall be considered to be "reasonably anticipated" if the county is reasonably certain of the amount of income and that the income will be received during the quarterly reporting period. The county shall determine what income is "reasonably anticipated" based on information provided by the recipient and any other available information. (c) If a recipient reports that their income in the upcoming quarter will be different each month and the county needs additional information to determine a recipient's reasonably anticipated income for the following quarter, the county may require the recipient to provide information about income for each month of the prior quarter. (d) Grant calculations pursuant to subdivision (a) may not be revised to adjust the grant amount during the quarterly reporting period, except as provided in Section 11265.3 and subdivisions (e), (f), (g), and (h), and as otherwise established by the department. (e) Notwithstanding subdivision (d), statutes and regulations relating to (1) the 60-month time limit, (2) age limitations for children under Section 11253, and (3) sanctions and financial penalties affecting eligibility or grant amount shall be applicable as provided in such statutes and regulations. Eligibility and grant amount shall be adjusted during the quarterly reporting period pursuant to such statutes and regulations effective with the first monthly grant after timely and adequate notice is provided. (f) Notwithstanding Section 11056, if an applicant applies for assistance for a child who is currently aided in another assistance unit, and the county determines that the applicant has care and control of the child, as specified by the department, and is otherwise eligible, the county shall discontinue aid to the child in the existing assistance unit and shall aid the child in the applicant' s assistance unit effective as of the first of the month following the discontinuance of the child from the existing assistance unit. (g) If the county is notified that a child for whom CalWORKs assistance is currently being paid has been placed in a foster care home, the county shall discontinue aid to the child at the end of the month of placement. The county shall discontinue the case if the remaining assistance unit members are not otherwise eligible. (h) If the county determines that a recipient is no longer a California resident, pursuant to Section 11100, the recipient shall be discontinued. The county shall discontinue the case if the remaining assistance unit members are not otherwise eligible. 11265.3. (a) In addition to submitting the quarterly report form as required in Section 11265.1, during the quarterly reporting period, a recipient shall report the following changes to the county orally or in writing, within 10 days of the change: (1) The receipt at any time during a quarterly reporting period of income, as provided by the department, in an amount that is likely to render the recipient ineligible, as provided by the department. (2) The occurrence at any time during a quarterly reporting period of a drug felony conviction as specified in Section 11251.3. (3) The occurrence, at any time during a quarterly reporting period, of an individual fleeing prosecution or custody or confinement, or violating a condition of probation or parole as specified in Section 11486.5. (b) Counties shall inform each recipient of the duty to report under paragraph (1) of subdivision (a), the consequences of failing to report, and the amount of income likely to render the family ineligible for benefits no less frequently than once per quarter. (c) When a recipient reports income pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) the county shall redetermine eligibility and grant amounts as follows: (1) If the recipient reports a change for the first or second month of a current quarterly reporting period, the county shall verify the report and determine if the recipient is financially ineligible. If the recipient is determined to be financially ineligible based on this income, the county shall discontinue the recipient after timely and adequate notice in accordance with rules applicable to the federal Food Stamp program. (2) If the recipient reports a change for the third month of a current quarterly reporting period, the county shall not redetermine eligibility for the current quarterly reporting period, but shall redetermine eligibility and grant amount for the following quarterly reporting period as provided in Section 11265.2. (d) (1) During the quarterly reporting period, a recipient may report to the county, orally or in writing, any changes in income or household circumstances that may increase the recipient's grant. (2) Counties shall act upon changes in income reported during the quarterly reporting period that result in an increase in benefits, after verification specified by the department is received. Reported changes in income that increase the grant shall be effective for the entire month in which the change is reported. If the reported change in income results in an increase in benefits, the county shall issue the increased benefit amount within 10 days of receiving required verification. (3) (A) When a decrease in gross monthly income is voluntarily reported and verified, the county shall redetermine the grant for the current month and any remaining months in the quarterly reporting period by averaging the actual gross monthly income reported and verified from the voluntary report for the current month and the gross monthly income that is reasonably anticipated for any future month remaining in the quarterly reporting period. (B) When the average is determined pursuant to subparagraph (A), and a grant amount is calculated based upon the averaged income, if the grant amount is higher than the grant currently in effect, the county shall revise the grant for the current month and any remaining months in the quarter to the higher amount and shall issue any increased benefit amount as provided in paragraph (2). (4) Except as provided in subdivision (e), counties shall act only upon changes in household composition voluntarily reported by the recipients during the quarterly reporting period that result in an increase in benefits, after verification specified by the department is received. If the reported change in household composition is for the first or second month of the quarterly reporting period and results in an increase in benefits, the county shall redetermine the grant effective for the month following the month in which the change was reported. If the reported change in household composition is for the third month of a quarterly reporting period, the county shall not redetermine the grant for the current quarterly reporting period, but shall redetermine the grant for the following reporting period as provided in Section 11265.2. (e) During the quarterly reporting period, a recipient may request that the county discontinue the recipient's entire assistance unit or any individual member of the assistance unit who is no longer in the home or is an optional member of the assistance unit. If the recipient's request was verbal, the county shall provide a 10-day notice before discontinuing benefits. If the recipient's report was in writing, the county shall discontinue benefits effective the end of the month in which the request is made, and simultaneously issue a notice informing the recipient of the discontinuance. (f) The department, in consultation with the County Welfare Directors Association (CWDA), shall report to the relevant policy and fiscal committees of the Legislature in April 2005 regarding the effects upon program efficiency and integrity of implementation of the midquarter reporting requirement set forth in subdivision (a). The report shall be based on data collected by CWDA and select counties. The department, in consultation with CWDA, shall determine the data collection needs required to assess the effects of the specified midquarter report. 11265.5. (a) (1) The department may, subject to the requirements of federal regulations and Section 18204, conduct three pilot projects, to be located in the Counties of Los Angeles, Merced, and Santa Clara, upon approval of the department and the participating counties. The pilot projects shall test the reporting systems described in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of paragraph (4). (2) (A) The pilot project conducted in Los Angeles County shall test one or both reporting systems described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (4). The pilot project population for each test shall be limited to 10,000 cases. (B) The pilot projects in the other counties shall test one of the reporting systems described in subparagraph (A) or (C) of paragraph (4) and shall be limited to 2,000 cases per project. (3) (A) The pilot projects shall be designed and conducted according to standard scientific principles, and shall be in effect for a period of 24 months. (B) The projects may be extended an additional year upon the approval of the department. (C) The projects shall be designed to compare the monthly reporting system with alternatives described in paragraph (4) as to all of the following phenomena: (i) Administrative savings resulting from reduced worker time spent in reviewing monthly reports. (ii) The amount of cash assistance paid to families. (iii) The rate of administrative errors in cases and payments. (iv) The incidence of underpayments and overpayments and the costs to recipients and the administering agencies of making corrective payments and collecting overpayments. (v) Rates at which recipients lose eligibility for brief periods due to failure to submit a monthly report but file new applications for aid and thereafter are returned to eligible status. (vi) Cumulative benefits and costs to each level of government and to aid recipients resulting from each reporting system. (vii) The incidence of, and ability to, prosecute fraud. (viii) Ease of use by clients. (ix) Case errors and potential sanction costs associated with those errors. (4) The pilot projects shall adopt reporting systems providing for one or more of the following: (A) A reporting system that requires families with no income or whose only income is comprised of old age, survivors, or disability insurance benefits administered pursuant to Subchapter 2 (commencing with Section 401) of Chapter 7 of Title 42 of the United States Code, and with no recent work history to report changes in circumstances that affect eligibility and grant amount as changes occur. These changes shall be reported directly to the county welfare department in person, in writing, or by telephone. In all cases in which monthly reporting is not required, a form advising recipients of what changes must be reported, and how they may be reported shall be provided to recipients of aid along with benefit payments each month. (B) A reporting system that permits families with no income or whose only income is comprised of old age, survivors, or disability insurance benefits administered pursuant to Subchapter 2 (commencing with Section 401) of Chapter 7 of Title 42 of the United States Code, and with no changes in eligibility criteria, to report electronically monthly, using either an audio response or the food stamp on-line issuance and recording system, or a combination of both. Adequate instruction and training shall be provided to county welfare department staff and to recipients who choose to use this system prior to its implementation. (C) A reporting system that requires all families to report changes in circumstances that affect eligibility and grant amount as changes occur. The changes shall be reported directly to the county welfare department in person, in writing, or by telephone. In all cases in which monthly reporting is not required, a form advising recipients of what changes must be reported, and how they may be reported, shall be provided to recipients of aid along with benefit payments each month. (b) (1) The participating counties shall be responsible for preparing federal demonstration project proposals, to be submitted by the department, upon the department's review and approval of the proposals, to the federal agency on the counties' behalf. The development, operation, and evaluation of the pilot projects shall not result in an increase in the state allocation of county administrative funds. (1.5) Each pilot county shall prepare and submit quarterly reports, annual reports, and a final report to the department. (2) Each quarterly report shall be submitted no later than 30 calendar days after the end of the quarter. (3) Each annual report shall be submitted no later than 45 days after the end of the year. (4) (A) Each pilot county shall submit a final report not later than 90 days following completion of the pilot projects required by this section. (B) (i) As part of the final report, the pilot counties shall prepare and submit evaluations of the pilot projects to the department. (ii) Each evaluation shall include, but not be limited to, an analysis of the factors set forth in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) compared to each other and the current reporting systems in both the AFDC and Food Stamp programs. The final evaluations shall be prepared by an independent consultant or consultants contracted with for that purpose prior to the commencement of the projects. (C) The department shall review and approve the evaluations submitted by the pilot counties and shall submit them to the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the Legislature. (c) The department may terminate any or all of the pilot projects implemented pursuant to this section after a period of six months of operation if one or more of the pilot counties submits data to the department, or information is otherwise received, indicating that the pilot project or projects are not cost-effective or adversely impact recipients or county or state operations based on the factors set forth in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a). (d) The pilot projects shall be implemented only upon receipt of the appropriate federal waivers. 11265.6. (a) The department may conduct up to five demonstrations of alternatives to the current monthly reporting system, food stamp recertification, and AFDC redeterminations. These demonstrations shall be designed to reduce paperwork, achieve administrative savings, and maintain or enhance program integrity. The department, in consultation with the counties that request designation as a demonstration county, shall determine the scope of the demonstrations. (b) The director may waive, with federal approval, the enforcement of specific Food Stamp Program requirements, regulations, and standards necessary to conduct these demonstrations. 11265.7. (a) The department may conduct a demonstration in up to three counties of alternatives to the current monthly reporting system, food stamp recertification, and AFDC redeterminations for recipients of alternative assistance. This demonstration shall be designed to reduce paperwork, achieve administrative savings, and maintain or enhance program integrity. The department, in consultation with the counties which request designation as a demonstration county shall determine the scope of the demonstrations. (b) The director may waive, with federal approval, the enforcement of specific Food Stamp Program requirements, regulations, and standards necessary to conduct these demonstrations. 11265.8. (a) All applicants for aid under this chapter, within 30 days of the determination of eligibility for Medi-Cal benefits under Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 14000), and 45 days for applicants already eligible for benefits under Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 14000), and all recipients of aid under this chapter within 45 days of a full or financial redetermination of eligibility for aid under this chapter, shall provide documentation that all children in the assistance unit not required to be enrolled in school have received all age appropriate immunizations, unless it has been medically determined that an immunization for a child is not appropriate or the applicant or recipient has filed with the county welfare department an affidavit that the immunizations are contrary to the applicant's or recipient's beliefs. If the county determines that good cause exists for not providing the required documentation due to lack of reasonable access to immunization services, the period shall be extended by an additional 30 days. If the documentation is not provided within the required time period, the needs of all parents or caretaker relatives in the assistance unit shall not be considered in determining the grant to the assistance unit under Section 11450 until the required documentation is provided. The department shall track and maintain information concerning the number of sanctions imposed under this section. (b) At the time of application and at the next redetermination of eligibility for aid under this chapter, all applicants and recipients shall be given notice advising them of their obligation to secure the immunizations required in subdivision (a). The notice shall also contain all of the following: (1) The Recommended Childhood Immunization Schedule, United States, and the Recommended Immunization Schedule for Children Not Immunized on Schedule in the First Year of Life, as appropriate, approved by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Family Physicians. (2) A description of how to obtain the immunizations through a fee-for-service provider that accepts Medi-Cal, a Medi-Cal managed care plan, a county public health clinic, or any other source that may be available in the county as appropriate. (3) A statement that the applicant or recipient may file an affidavit claiming that the immunizations are contrary to the applicant's or recipient's beliefs. 11265.9. Whenever aid to an individual or family is discontinued under this chapter for any reason other than fraud, the department shall include, in the notice of termination of aid, a brief summary of the requirements for transitional Medi-Cal benefits provided for pursuant to Sections 14005.8, 14005.81, and 14005.85, and Section 50243 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations, as well as a form that the individual or family may fill out and return to request transitional Medi-Cal benefits. 11266. (a) At the time of application, the county shall determine whether the applicant needs immediate assistance because the applicant does not have sufficient resources to meet his or her emergency needs, and shall determine whether the applicant is apparently eligible for aid under this chapter. (1) The county shall determine that the applicant needs immediate assistance if the family's total available liquid resources, both nonexempt and exempt, are less than one hundred dollars ($100) and there is an emergency situation, whether foreseeable or not. Examples of emergency situations include, but are not limited to, lack of housing, lack of food, notice of termination or loss of utility service, lack of essential clothing (including diapers), and inability to meet essential transportation needs. (2) Apparent eligibility exists when evidence presented by the applicant or which is otherwise available to the county welfare department and the information provided on the application documents indicate that there would be eligibility for aid under this chapter if the evidence and information were verified. An alien applicant who does not provide verification of his or her eligible alien status, or a woman with no eligible children who does not provide medical verification of pregnancy, shall not be considered to be apparently eligible under this subdivision. (b) If an applicant needs immediate assistance, and is apparently eligible for aid as defined in subdivision (a), the county shall pay the applicant two hundred dollars ($200) or the maximum amount for which that applicant is eligible, whichever is less. The advance payment shall be made by the end of the first working day following the request for that aid. The county shall verify the applicant's eligibility for aid within 15 working days of the date that immediate need is requested, and advance payments made under this section shall be offset against the first grant payment made to the recipient. (c) An applicant's receipt of a notice of eviction, including a three-day notice to pay or quit, shall constitute an emergency situation under subdivision (a), irrespective of the one hundred dollar ($100) resource test, if the applicant has insufficient income or resources to pay the rent owing. In those cases, the county shall give the applicant the option of receiving an immediate advance on the grant as described in subdivision (b), or an expedited determination of eligibility for aid. Before an applicant decides between these two options, the county shall fully apprise the applicant, in writing, of all information necessary to establish eligibility for aid. If an applicant requests expedited determination of eligibility for aid, the county shall complete the determination of eligibility for aid under this chapter, and, if the applicant is determined to be eligible, issue payment of the full prorated grant no more than three working days from the request for immediate need. If the eligibility determination is not made within this three-day period, the county shall immediately pay the applicant two hundred dollars ($200) or the maximum amount for which the applicant is eligible, whichever is less, as specified in subdivisions (a) and (b). The county shall verify the applicant's eligibility within 15 working days of the date of the request for immediate assistance, and advance payments made under this subdivision shall be offset against the first grant payment made to the recipient. (d) (1) The county may deny an immediate advance payment if the applicant's only immediate need is homelessness and this need will be met by issuance of nonrecurring special needs payment in accordance with subdivision (f) of Section 11450, or if the applicant's only immediate need is lack of food and this need will be met by issuance of food stamps within one working day of the request therefor. With regard to all other immediate needs, an advance payment may be denied and the applicant referred to another public or private program or resource, if all of the following conditions are met: (A) Not more than one referral is made and the referral, when made, is to meet no more than one need. (B) The county has verified in advance that the specific need can be satisfactorily addressed by the other program or resource immediately. (C) Travel to the other program or resource will not impose a hardship on the applicant. (2) If, for any reason, the other program or resource does not satisfactorily meet the applicant's need, the applicant shall be immediately issued an advance payment, as specified in subdivision (b). (3) Except in the case of an applicant whose only need is lack of food and the need is met with the issuance of food stamps within one working day of the request, where an applicant's immediate need is met by an alternative program or resource authorized in this subdivision, the county shall verify the applicant's eligibility for aid within 15 working days of the date of request. (e) A denial of an immediate need application shall not constitute a denial of the application for aid unless it is based upon the failure to meet relevant eligibility requirements. 11266.5. (a) Every applicant for aid under this chapter shall be informed of the availability of lump-sum diversion services to resolve the circumstances that require the family to apply for assistance prior to the family's approval for aid. (b) When an applicant is determined to be eligible for assistance under this chapter, the county shall assess whether the applicant would benefit from the lump-sum diversion program. The county shall make this determination in its sole discretion. In making this determination, the county shall consider whether the applicant is likely to be able to avoid the need for extended assistance beyond the diversion period if the family was provided one-time assistance. In making this determination, the county may consider any of the following: (1) The applicant's employment history. (2) The likelihood of the applicant obtaining immediate full-time employment. (3) The applicant's general prospect for obtaining full-time employment. (4) The applicant's need for cash assistance to pay for housing or substantial and unforseen expenses or work-related expenses. (5) Housing stability. (6) The adequacy of the applicant's child care arrangements, if applicable. (c) If the county determines, pursuant to subdivision (b), that an applicant could benefit from a lump-sum diversion payment, the county shall inform the applicant of its determination. (d) An applicant for aid under this chapter may either participate in the lump-sum diversion program or decline participation in diversion and, instead, receive aid as otherwise provided for in this chapter. (e) Lump-sum diversion services provided under this section may include any cash or noncash payment and shall be negotiated by the county and the applicant in order to assist the applicant in avoiding the need for aid under this chapter. (f) If, after accepting a diversion payment pursuant to this section, the individual reapplies for aid under this chapter within the amount of time that corresponds with the number of months of aid that would have been received under this chapter that was received as a diversion payment, excluding a partial month, and he or she is determined to be eligible for aid, the county shall, at the option of the recipient, either recoup from the recipient's grant, over a period of time to be determined by the county, the amount of the diversion payment that the recipient received, or count the period of time that corresponds to the number of months of aid that would have been received, excluding a partial month of aid, towards the 60-month time limit on aid specified in subdivision (b) of Section 11454. (g) To the extent permitted by federal law, lump-sum diversion payments shall not be considered income for the purpose of determining eligibility for food stamps. (h) Any child support collected by the applicant or recovered by the county shall not be used to offset the diversion payment. (i) During the period of the diversion, the applicant family shall be eligible for Medi-Cal and child care assistance pursuant to Article 15.5 (commencing with Section 8350) of Chapter 2 of Part 6 of the Education Code, if otherwise eligible. 11268. (a) Each applicant for or recipient of aid shall be required as a condition of eligibility, to furnish the applicant's social security account number (or numbers, if the applicant has more than one social security account number) or submit verification of application for a social security account number. (b) (1) If the applicant or recipient cannot complete the application for a social security account number because the necessary documentation is not immediately available, the county shall determine if good cause exists. (2) For purposes of this section, "good cause" includes situations in which the necessary documentation for the application for a social security account number is not immediately available at the time of application. (c) (1) If good cause exists, and the applicant or recipient is otherwise eligible, the applicant or recipient is eligible for assistance pursuant to this section for the maximum period permitted by federal law, while he or she attempts to obtain the necessary documents to complete the application. (2) The federal time period shall apply to all recipients of aid, whether or not federal financial assistance is available. (3) The county shall make every effort to assist the individual in obtaining the documents required by this section. (d) The department shall adopt regulations in accord with federal law regarding applications for the social security account number and the definition of good cause. (e) The county shall utilize the social security account numbers in the administration of aid. 11269. No child shall receive aid under this chapter while he is a patient in a public hospital, except with respect to temporary medical or surgical care not exceeding two calendar months, in which event the child shall be eligible to receive not to exceed two monthly warrants after becoming a patient. 11270. Applicants for and recipients of Aid to Families with Dependent Children who are not exempt from registration under Section 11310 and who are apparently eligible for unemployment insurance shall, as a condition of eligibility, apply for, meet all the conditions of eligibility for, and accept any unemployment insurance benefits for which the Employment Development Department determines they are eligible. Upon determination that individuals registered under Section 11310 have failed to meet all the conditions of eligibility for unemployment insurance, the county shall make a good cause determination under standards established by the department. These standards shall be the same as those which govern the Work Incentive Program. Applicants and recipients who are exempt from work registration under Section 11310 and who are apparently eligible for unemployment insurance benefits shall, as a condition of eligibility, apply for and accept any unemployment insurance benefits for which the Employment Development Department determines they are eligible. The department shall establish by regulations the standards to determine apparent eligibility for unemployment insurance.