Bill > AB42

This bill aims to modify income and resource eligibility rules for two key California social services programs: CalWORKs (California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids) and CalFresh (California's version of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP). Specifically, the bill would exempt any grant, award, scholarship, loan, or fellowship provided to a program participant for higher education purposes from being counted as income or resources when determining program eligibility, with the exception of cash payments from friends or relatives. The bill requires the State Department of Social Services to exercise federal options that allow exclusion of certain income types when calculating program eligibility, to the extent permitted by federal law. Additionally, the department is instructed to implement these changes through an all-county letter or similar guidance by March 1, 2026, and before formal regulations are adopted. The bill does not provide additional funding for implementing these changes and stipulates that if the Commission on State Mandates determines the bill creates state-mandated local program costs, those costs would be reimbursed according to existing statutory procedures. By expanding eligibility criteria, the bill aims to provide more flexibility and support for low-income families pursuing higher education.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB42