CalWORKs Policy - Department of Public Social Services

EXAMPLE
A parent with two children fails to submit verification of
immunization and does not have good cause. The AU
size remains 3, but due to the penalty, LEADER issues
the MAP for 2.
NOTE: No penalty is applied when the only eligible child
receives benefits from the Kin-GAP Program.
See CW 82-820.22 Kin-GAP Program for more
information.
The AU consists of the mother, her child, a common
child and the unmarried father. The mother does not
comply with immunization regulations and she is
penalized. Does the other parent also get penalized?
If both parents (married or unmarried) are in the AU, both
get penalized. If the second parent is a stepparent and
he/she is in the AU with the caretaker parent, only the
caretaker parent is penalized. However, if the biological
parent is absent and the stepparent is the caretaker
relative, then LEADER would apply the penalty to the
stepparent.
If the family does not provide proof of immunization, a
penalty is applied. What happens if 6 months later the
child is no longer a pre-school child?
When the child reaches the age of compulsory school
attendance, he/she is no longer a pre-school child under
age 6. In this case, the penalty no longer applies and
should be removed.
Can an applicant/participant claim good cause if
he/she fails to provide verification of immunization?
Yes, a parent/caretaker relative can claim good cause for
not submitting verification. If the EW determines that
good cause exists, the applicant/participant has an
additional 30 days to submit the verification.
Circumstances may include but are not limited to:
• Lack of reasonable access to immunization
services; or
• Language barriers; or
• Physical distance; or