Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/431369
9 The People's Guide 2015 CalWORKs think you have a mental health barrier to finding or keeping a job. You can also ask for a mental health evalua- tion anytime by calling your eligibility worker or GAIN worker. After the evaluation, you can be referred to a mental health provider for treatment. The GAIN worker must develop your welfare-to-work plan based on what your treatment provider recommends. You have the right to refuse any mental health treatment, but if you do, you can't use mental health problems as a reason to not work or not participate in GAIN or REP. Substance Use Disorder Services: You can ask for help with substance use disorder treatment at anytime by calling your eligi- bility worker or GAIN worker. If you find it difficult to obtain or keep a job because of problems with alcohol or drugs, the DPSS worker can refer you to a substance use disorder clinical assessment. You may receive help through residential or day treatment: individual, group or family counseling; rehabilitation services: and health care information and referrals. You can continue getting these services as part of your Welfare-to-Work requirements while receiving cash aid. You can go to a substance use disorder treatment program as the welfare to work activity. You have the right to refuse any substance use disorder treatment program as the welfare-to-work activity; however, if you do not go to a treatment program, you cannot use substance use disorder as a reason to not work or not participate in GAIN or REP. Up to $1500 for Housing Relocation: If you are working or have a job offer for 20 hours or more a week you can apply for Housing Relocation assistance to move closer to your job, your child care, or your transportation. This benefit is available only once in a lifetime. You must show that you either have a com- mute of one hour or more each way to work or to child-care or a combination of the two; or that there is no public transporta- tion available at the time your work shift starts and ends. You must also show that you have located a place to live. Your new rent must be less than 60% of your Total Monthly Household Income. You can also get up to $405 for a refrigera- tor or stove if you need one because of the move, so the total can be $1,905. • Non-parent relative, or caretaker of a child who is a dependent, or a ward of the court, or at risk of being placed in foster care. DPSS must agree that this harms your ability to participate or work. • One time only, you can use the exemp- tion of caring for a child from newborn to 23 months old. If you do not qualify for an exemption, you may have good cause that excuses you from doing something GAIN asks you to do. The 48-month time limit is not stopped by good cause (see section below on domestic violence for exceptions). Good cause includes: • Not getting supportive services you need (such as child care and transportation) to work or go to a GAIN or REP activity • Child sick at home from school • No transportation (for example your car broke down) • You are homeless Domestic Violence Waiver: DPSS can waive some of the CalWORKs rules for victims of domestic violence. For example they can stop the 48 month time clock, excuse you from going to GAIN, stop child support collections, or waive the maximum family grant rule. The violence can be something that happened in the past or in the present. Exempt people can volunteer and get help. You do not have to participate in GAIN or REP if you are excused or exempt. But you may volunteer to participate. As an exempt volunteer, you do not have to do the full 20 hours each week, but you are subject to other requirements of GAIN participants. You can do as many or as few hours as you are able. DPSS must also pay you for services, like child care and money for transportation, tools, and books. 3. Learning Disabilities All GAIN participants must be offered a learning disability (LD) screening. You can say you do not want the LD screening, but if you change your mind, you can ask for LD screening and evaluation anytime. If the evaluation shows you have a learning disability, your welfare-to-work plan must have activities that help you deal with your learning disability, such as tutoring or extra study time. DPSS must decide whether job search will be useful for you, or if your time limits should be extended. If you have already been to assessment, went through GAIN or REP and failed to make satisfactory progress, you may have the clock stopped on your time limits and changes must be made in your plan with special help offered to you. Service To Help You Separate from cash aid (CalWORKs checks), CalWORKs can help you pay for work-related and training-related costs both before and after the 48-month limit. It is sometimes wise to volunteer to partici- pate in GAIN or REP after being excused in order to receive this money. At present the services include: • Child care (see pg. 20) • Transportation Money: bus fare, mileage payment,taxi or train money, or funds to fix a car to allow you to get to work or welfare to work activity. Usually GAIN and REP will give you money to buy a monthly bus pass. But, if it takes you more than one hour each way by bus, including walking time, to get to work (or other welfare to work activity). DPSS must pay you mileage. The current rate is .525¢ a mile for the first 500 miles/month, and 15¢ for additional miles. You can also get paid for parking. • Money for tools, books, supplies,clothing, uniforms, and other necessary costs specifically required to partcipate in an approved Welfare to Work activity or to accept a job or keep a job. Tuition is not paid for. • Domestic Violence Counseling and Pro- tection: Survivors of domestic violence can get special help through programs including emergency housing and safety planning, counseling, parent- ing classes, and legal services that provide help with restraining orders and divorces. You do not need a police report or other documents. Your sworn statement is enough proof. Everything you tell the DPSS eligibility worker or GAIN worker will be kept secret to the extent of the law. • Taxi Vouchers: anyone in a domestic violence situation receiving Cal- WORKs should be able to get taxi vouchers from the program assisting them if it will help keep them or their children safe. • Mental Health Services: You should receive a mental health screening during orientation. Also, a DPSS worker can suggest to you that you go to a mental health evaluation if they