Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director or Assistant Director of the Department of Social Services to sign a no cost agreement with the California Department of Social Services for the purpose of accessing income and employment data for consumers applying for or receiving public assistance, for the period October 31, 2022 through termination upon written notice by either party; and
b. Authorize the Director or Assistant Director of the Department of Social Services to sign up to three (3) amendments to the agreement as long as they do not encompass payment or significantly change the scope of services.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director or Assistant Director of the Department of Social Services to sign a no cost agreement with the California Department of Social Services for the purpose of accessing income and employment data for consumers applying for or receiving public assistance, for the period October 31, 2022 through termination upon written notice by either party; and
b. Authorize the Director or Assistant Director of the Department of Social Services to sign up to three (3) amendments to the agreement as long as they do not encompass payment or significantly change the scope of services.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has established an income verification program for California counties for the California Work and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) and CalFresh programs. As part of this program, CDSS has contracted with TALX Corporation (TALX), a provider of Equifax Verification Services, to allow participating counties to access data for the purpose of verifying consumer-recipient employment, income and other work-related information.
This agreement authorizes the county to retrieve and verify certain employment and/or income data of a consumer-recipient applying for or currently receiving public social service assistance where such information has been furnished to TALX by employers.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel has approved the agreement as to form.
FINANCING:
This agreement is funded solely by CDSS in support of all counties accessing data to improve case processing and accurate benefit calculation and delivery. There is no cost to the county.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This amendment correlates to the Health and Human Services Strategic Initiatives adopted by the Board of Supervisors by allowing Monterey County to access important income information that applicants/recipients might not be able to provide, therefore allowing staff to calculate CalWORKs and/or CalFresh benefits accurately and efficiently for residents of Monterey County.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
__Economic Development
__Administration
X Health & Human Services
__Infrastructure
__Public Safety
Prepared by: Jerry Kulper Management Analyst III x1520
Approved by: Lori A. Medina, Director, x4430
Attachments: Agreement
The proposed agreement is on file with Clerk of the Board as an attachment to this Board Report.