CalWORKs Policy - Department of Public Social Services

3. Continue processing if the applicant/participant
has received an eviction notice or three-day
notice to pay or quit. The EW must determine if
the applicant/participant has a financial hardship
that was the direct cause for non-payment or
rent.
If a financial hardship exists, process the
application due to the fact that a financial
crisis was the direct cause for non-payment of
rent and if assistance is not given, the family
could end up homeless. Proof of the financial
hardship is required. The eviction notice or
three-day notice to pay or quit is not in itself
proof of the financial hardship.
If no financial hardship exists, deny the
application since a financial crisis was not the
direct cause for non-payment of rent.
NOTE:
In situations where the family is
applying for the current month’s
rent and is not eligible, the EW shall
explore whether the family had a
decrease in income and the
decrease was voluntarily reported.
When LEADER determines that the
decrease in income results in
increased benefits, LEADER will
issue a supplemental for the month
of the reported change and
increase benefits for the remaining
months of the quarter.
Can EAPE be used to cover a delinquent
mortgage payment?
No. EAPE can be used only to pay back rent or
utilities for up to two months in arrears.
Is it a condition of eligibility under the EAPE
program that the rent be within 80% of the TMHI?
No. It is not a condition of eligibility, under the EAPE
program, that the total monthly rent be within 80% of
the TMHI. However, if the current rent exceeds 80%
of the TMHI, the participant must be referred to the
HCM in the District for assistance in locating
affordable permanent housing in order to prevent the
family from becoming homeless in the future.