CalWORKs Policy - Department of Public Social Services

The exact relationship of the child to the
caretaker must be entered onto LEADER.
When a non-needy caretaker status is correctly
entered on LEADER, the non-needy caretaker’s
income will not be considered in the CalWORKs
grant computation.
See Non-Needy Caretaker Case – Establish
on LEADER for procedures.
Are non-needy caretaker relatives penalized
if they do not cooperate in the Child Support
Enforcement Program?
No, although non-needy caretaker relatives are
referred to the Child Support Services
Department (CSSD) collocated staff for the
opening of a child support case (unless “good
cause” exists), they are not required to
cooperate. If a non-needy caretaker does not
cooperate, the 25% child support grant penalty
does not apply.
See CW 82-500 Child Support Enforcement
Program for additional information
What is a “needy” Caretaker Relative?
A “needy” caretaker relative is a non-parent
caretaker related to the child and is included in
the AU.
Is a needy caretaker relative eligible when
the only child in his/her care receives SSI?
Yes, a needy caretaker relative can receive the
“Exempt” MAP for an Assistance Unit (AU) of 1
when he/she is caring for an:
• SSI/SSP child;
• Foster Care (FC) child; or
• Kinship Guardianship Assistance
Payment (Kin-GAP) child.
See CW 89-110.2 Exempt/Non-Exempt
Assistance Units (AU) for more information.
See CW 44-317.6 – Foster Care/Kin-GAP,
for more information.
See CW 82-820.22 – Kin-GAP Program, for
more information.