Title
Receive and accept the semi-annual report of expenditures and caseload data for the Department of Social Services for the period of January through June 2025.
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 January through June 2025.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The attached report represents actual caseload and expenditure data through June 2025.
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 slightly increased from 444 in December 2024 to 506 in June 2025, an increase of 62 cases. From a year-to-year perspective, there is an average increase of 30% and caseload has surpassed the “pre-pandemic” caseload. Assistance costs reflect an increase of 27% from prior year which correlates with the rise in caseload. (See attached chart, page 1).
Mid-Year Estimates forecasted a budget shortfall of $406,417, however, we ended the year with a shortfall of $451,230. The Board approved RES 25-108 to increase the General Assistance Appropriations for FY 2024-25, financed by a transfer of General Fund Contributions from Social Services Budget. For FY 2025-26, the Department requested an augmentation of $479,891 and the Board approved $359,918 for this entitlement program.
CalWORKs caseload reflecting a slight increase of 121 cases from December 2024. From a year-to-year perspective, there is an average caseload and expenditures increase of 7%. CalWORKs caseloads continues to increase in the winter months of December through April, before starting to trend down. Additionally, the Department notes that current caseload and expenditures surpasses the “pre-pandemic” levels for this entitlement program also. CalWorks grant aid increased approximately $2 per person on O...
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