.Purpose

Policy

Background

Release Date:

10/08/15

Definitions

Requirements

Verification Docs

 

GROW

3.4. Ancillary/Work-Related Expense

Purpose

(  ) To release a new policy

(  ) To release a new form

(X) To convert existing policy to new writing style only – No concept changes

(  ) Revision of existing policy and/or form(s).

Policy

Impact

(  ) CalWORKs            (  ) CalFresh       (  ) Human Resources 

(  ) GAIN                     (  ) Medi-Cal      (  ) District Operations

(  ) General Relief       (  ) IHSS               (  ) Other

(X) GROW

 

General Relief Opportunities for Work (GROW) participants are eligible to receive Ancillary/Work-Related payments, when needed, to participate in their assigned GROW activities or to meet an employment requirement.   Ancillary requests can be submitted by the GROW service providers, education/training providers, employers or other community-based/non-profit agencies to the GROW Case Manager (GCM).

 

Ancillary/Work-Related expense must be authorized on LRS within one workday of the participant meeting the verification requirements or assignment to a GROW activity.   In instances where the participant needs the Ancillary/Work-Related payment prior to attending the activity, payment must be issued in advance to ensure the participant can comply with his/her assigned activity.  

Background

GROW participants are informed of the various types of Ancillary/Work-Related expense available through the GROW Program during Orientation, Case Manager Appointment (CMA), or prior to or at any time during their assignment in a GROW activity. Ancillary/Work-Related expense payments are issued to GROW participants to cover the costs associated with their participation in an assigned GROW activity or to accept/retain employment. 

 

Note: This policy includes all GROW Ancillary/Work-Related expense payments, except for transportation. Reference: Administrative Release No. 5367.

Definitions

Term

Description

Allowable Ancillary Items/Types

·          Books/Supplies/Fees – to participate in an education/training related activities;

o    Books – includes text books, reference materials, or other books required by the course;

o    Supplies – includes pens, pencils, notebooks, ruler, or other materials required by the course; and

o    Fees – includes registration fees, student identification cards, license fees, certification, exams required by the course, or any other necessary fees. 

Note:  Tuition cost is not an allowable fee expense and cannot be paid.

 

·         Clothing/Shoes – to assist participants who do not have the appropriate clothing attire to search and apply for a job or go to a job interview; 

 

·         Uniform – to participate in education/training related activities or to meet an employment requirement where a specific uniform is required and the employer does not cover the cost.  Examples are: uniforms required to participate in Certified Nursing Assistants, Culinary Arts, Security Officer Training, Construction, etc.;

 

·         Tools – to participate in education/training related activities or as employment requirement where specific tools are required.  For example, construction or welding equipment, and supplies, cosmetology supplies, etc.;

 

·         Guard Card – to enroll in Security Officer Training or to participants with a verified offer of employment in the security field;

 

·         Tattoo Removal – to assist participants who have visible tattoos – a physical obstacle that makes it difficult for them to find and obtain employment;

 

·         Haircut – to assist participants who need proper grooming to find and obtain employment; and

 

·         Shower – to assist homeless participants who have no access to shower facilities and need this expense for hygiene purposes to find and obtain employment.

Ancillary

Threshold Limits

Ancillary Type

Maximum Amount

Frequency

Books/Supplies/ Fees

$150

Once per school semester

Clothing/Shoes

$50

One-time within a twelve-month  period

Uniform

$50

One-time within a twelve-month  period

Tools

$50

One-time within a twelve-month period

Guard Card

$75

One-time within a twelve-month period

Haircut

$10

Monthly

Shower

$10

Monthly

Tattoo Removal

$40

Monthly

 

Note:  Any requests exceeding the threshold limits will only be authorized up to the maximum amount.

Ancillary Issuance

GROW Ancillary/Work-Related expense payments are issued to the participants through their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards.

Requirements

 

Eligibility requirements for ancillary issuance:

 

·      Participant is assigned to a GROW activity; or

·      Participant provides an offer of employment and verification for Ancillary/Work-Related expense need;

·      Participant has an identified employment barrier and needs Ancillary/Work-Related expense while participating in GROW activity and searching for employment.

 

Note: Participants are required to provide receipts within ten business days of Ancillary/Work-Related expense issuance. 

Verification Documents

Category

Acceptable Verification

Job Search/Job Readiness Activities

·      Assignment to GROW activity; and

·      Assessment of need by the GCM, GROW Services Supervisor (GSS), or GROW providers.

Education/

Training- related

·      Written verification or receipts from education/training provider for books/supplies/fees or uniform; and

·      Assessment of need by the GCM, GSS or GROW providers.

Employment-related

·      Written verification from employer for uniform, tools and other necessary Ancillary/Work-Related expense needed; and/or 

·      Assessment of need by the GCM or GSS.  

 

Note:    Ancillary/Work-Related expense for tattoo removal, shower, and haircut may be issued upon the participant’s request if necessary to remove a barrier to employment through an assessment of need by the GCM or GSS.