CalWORKs Policy - Department of Public Social Services

ETA is a special kind of bank account that allows
only direct deposits of government
benefits/withdrawals of available cash at Automated
Teller Machines (ATMs). The individual cannot
make other deposits to this account or write checks
against it. The account is intended for individuals
who do not have or may not qualify for a checking or
savings account, but would like to have government
benefits directly deposited to this account.
Once Direct Deposit is set up, how is the
participant informed that the benefits are
available?
The participant will be mailed a notice (DD-01,
Approval for Direct Deposit) with information of
when Direct Deposit will be available. The form is
centrally mailed in English and Spanish with the PA
15, Important Message.
With Direct Deposit, if the benefits are not used
in one month, will they be available the following
month?
Any amount left over from a prior month will be in
the account. As long as the amount in the bank is
under the allowable limit of $2,000 ($3,000 if
someone in the AU is 60 years or older), the
participant can continue to qualify for aid.
Can the participant receive part of the benefits
in cash and have part of it in Direct Deposit?
No, the entire amount of the benefits must be in
Direct Deposit.
Will the Auditor-Controller process requests for
Direct Deposit with address and/or Social
Security number (SSN) discrepancies?
The Auditor-Controller will return all requests for
Direct Deposit with address and/or SSN
discrepancies directly to the participant for
resolution. These discrepancies may include:
An address on a voided check is different from
the case record. The participant will be required
to have the bank complete Section II of the PA
1675. In addition, the participant will be
responsible for contacting the EW to correct the
address on record.