BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 2311
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Date of Hearing: May 14, 2014
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Mike Gatto, Chair
AB 2311 (Bradford) - As Introduced: February 21, 2014
Policy Committee: Human
ServicesVote:4 - 0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
Yes Reimbursable: Yes
SUMMARY
This bill excludes employable veterans who were honorably
discharged from the armed forces from the prohibition on
providing general assistance for more than three months in a
12-month period to individuals who have been offered an
opportunity to attend job skills or job training sessions.
FISCAL EFFECT
Should the Commission on State Mandates determine that this bill
contains a reimbursable cost, there would be unknown, but
potentially significant costs to the GF to reimburse counties
for providing additional general assistance (GA) to veterans.
For example, if between one-tenth and one-quarter of homeless
veterans receive GA and half live in counties that already grant
the extension (counties are not required to adhere to a time
limit for providing general assistance and many do not),
approximately 750 to 1,875 veterans would receive additional
benefit. If each receives GA for an additional nine months, the
added statewide cost would be in the range of $1 million to $3.7
million.
COMMENTS
1)Purpose . This bill seeks to provide necessary support to
honorably discharged veterans who are in need of general
relief benefits and do not have access to other resources or
benefits.
2)General Assistance . Counties provide general assistance to
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residents unable to support themselves. Each county's GA
program is 100% county-funded, allowing counties to set their
own benefit levels and eligibility requirements. Many
recipients of GA are also eligible for nutrition assistance
through the CalFresh program, and some counties require GA
applicants to seek aid through CalFresh and other applicable
safety net programs as a condition of receiving GA benefits.
According to the Department of Social Services, there were
148,385 individuals in California receiving general relief
benefits in February 2014. The average monthly benefit per
person in February was $221.46, but the benefit amount and
delivery is varied throughout the state. Some counties provide
either cash grants or in-kind grants or some mix of both.
Counties establish their own maximum grant amounts, often with
different benefit levels for individuals and couples. Most
counties require applicants to sign repayment agreements as a
condition of receiving aid, the fulfillment of which likely
depends on whether the aided individual eventually receives an
income or obtains property.
3)Veterans in California . According to September 2013 estimates
from the US Department of Veterans Affairs, California is home
to nearly 1.8 million veterans; 8% of the national veteran
population of approximately 22 million. The state's veteran
population is comprised of 90% men and 10% women. Veterans
returning home face a number of barriers to employment,
including mental health challenges and other difficulties
transitioning back into civilian life. Data from the US
Department of Housing and Urban Development revealed that on a
single night in 2013, there were 15,179 homeless veterans in
California. The actual number of veterans who experienced
homelessness throughout the year is likely greater.
4)Prior Legislation . SB 134 (Hueso), Chapter 283, Statutes of
2013 exempted honorably discharged veterans from mandatory
participation in CalFresh Employment and Training programs in
participating counties.
Analysis Prepared by : Jennifer Swenson / APPR. / (916)
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319-2081