Existing law establishes the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program, under which each county provides cash assistance and other benefits to qualified low-income families and individuals using federal, state, and county funds. Existing law establishes the CalWORKs Recipients Education Program (program) in the California Community Colleges under which community college districts are required to provide educational services and special services to recipients of aid under CalWORKs who are attending a community college, to the extent funding is provided in the annual Budget Act. Existing law authorizes those special services to include workstudy. Existing law prohibits program payments to an employer for workstudy from exceeding 75% of the wage for the workstudy positions and requires an employer to pay at least 25% of the wage for the workstudy positions.
This bill would expand the definition of CalWORKs recipient for program purposes to include a person whose dependent is a recipient of aid under CalWORKs. The bill would add direct aid designed to meet ongoing basic needs and services, as described, as a special service for which program funds may be used. The bill would authorize program payments to an employer for workstudy to pay 100% of the wage for the workstudy positions and would delete the requirement that an employer pay at least 25% of the wage for the workstudy positions. By expanding program eligibility and services, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Statutes affected:
AB 363: 79200 EDC, 79204 EDC, 79205 EDC
02/03/25 - Introduced: 79200 EDC, 79204 EDC, 79205 EDC