Title
Receive and accept the semi-annual report of expenditures and caseload data for the Department of Social Services for the period of July through December 2024.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Budget Committee:
Receive and accept the semi-annual report of expenditures and caseload data for the Department of Social Services for the period of July through December 2024.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The attached report represents actual caseload and expenditure data through December 2024.
The report compares data month-to-month and year-to-year against last year and against FY 2019-20 where majority of the year was pre-pandemic for the following programs:
General Assistance (GA) caseload is holding steady over the last six months and from a year-to-year perspective, there is an average increase of 22.43% and caseload is back to “pre-pandemic” level. Assistance costs reflect an increase of 19.35% from prior year which correlates to the percentage caseload increase of 22.43%. The current expenditures are slightly higher than the pre-pandemic year due to monthly costs fluctuating due to Social Security reimbursement. (See attached chart, Page 1).
Based upon the Mid-Year and 3-Year Forecast, the budget will exceed current appropriation levels by $406,417 and will be short $505,799 next year. For FY 2025-26, this entitlement program was issued a pro-rated General Fund Contribution reduction of $6,125.
CalWORKS caseload reflecting higher numbers when looking back month-to-month, but overall year-to-date average caseload and expenditures are reflecting a reduction of 4.5%. However, CalWORKs caseloads generally continue to increase during the winter months of December through March which is reflected in the Departments’ Forecast. Additionally, The Department notes that current caseload and expenditures surpasses the “pre-pandemic” levels. (See Attached chart, page 2).
Based upon the Mid-Year Estimates, the budget will exceed curre...
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