On Tuesday, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors will receive a guaranteed income presentation by the Employment and Human Services Director.
They are seeking guidance regarding waiving of income for pilot payments for individuals residing in Contra Costa County.
According to the Board Report:
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) allows counties to request that income from Guaranteed Income Pilots be waived, or disregarded, as income in the determination of eligibility for public assistance programs (CalWORKs, CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and General Assistance). Income from Guaranteed Income Pilots could result in some households becoming ineligible for public assistance programs due to being over-income. Should the Board decide to request waivers of income from Guaranteed Income Pilots for the determination of eligibility for public assistance programs, it could mean that some households would become eligible for assistance who may not otherwise be eligible.
The County cost of approving waivers of income from Guaranteed Income Pilot projects is low. There is no county share of cost for CalFresh assistance payments or Medi-Cal provider payments. For CalWORKs assistance payments, there is a 2.5% county share of cost.
Should a wavier of Guaranteed Income result in the difference between a household not qualifying and qualifying for CalWORKs, the average monthly county cost would be $22.26 for one household. The most substantial cost incurred would be realized with General Assistance which is 100% funded by the County.
Should a wavier of Guaranteed Income result in the difference between not qualifying and qualifying for General Assistance, the average monthly county cost for one household would be $203 per household.
Guaranteed Income Pilot projects are usually designed for families, pregnant individuals, and former foster youth, none of whom typically qualify for General Assistance. There are currently no known Guaranteed Income Pilots for General Assistance recipients.
Fiscal Impact
Should the Board direct the Employment and Human Services Department to request waivers the average monthly county cost would be $203 per person.
Board of Supervisors Meeting
- August 15, 2023
- 9:00 am
- Staff Report – click here
- Power Point Presentation + More info – click here
Previous Stories:
- Feb 8, 2023 – Bill Would Create Guaranteed Income for Homeless High School Seniors
- Dec 8, 2022 – Program Providing Basic Income to Black Pregnant Women Expands Across California
- Nov 24, 2022 – California Announces First State-Funded Guaranteed Income Program: SACRAMENTO — The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) announced its intent to award more than $25 million in grant funding to seven guaranteed income pilot projects across the state. These pilots will provide unconditional, individual, regular cash payments intended to disrupt poverty, advance equity, and support the basic needs of recipients. These State-funded pilot programs will serve approximately 1,975 individuals across California with monthly payments ranging from $600-$1,200 per month, for a period of 12-18 months. All pilots will participate in program evaluation activities led by the Urban Institute and the University of California, Berkeley.
