Waiver Types
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)/CalWORKS
Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF). The monthly cash grant must include the dependent student or be the sole source of income for the family. Students/families receiving food stamps or CalWORKs services but no TANF cash grant are not eligible under Part A.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)/State Supplement Program (SSP)
The SSI Program is a federally funded program which provides income support to persons who are 65 or older, blind or disabled. SSI benefits are also available to qualified blind or disabled children. The SSP Program is a California state program which augments SSI. Both SSI and SSP benefits are administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Eligibility for both programs is determined by SSA using federal criteria. Persons who qualify for SSI also qualify for SSP.
A dependent or independent student who is receiving SSI/SSP benefits directly in his/her name is automatically eligible for a Part A fee waiver. CCR §58620(b)(2)(B)
A dependent student whose parent(s) or guardian(s) are a recipient of SSI is eligible if the SSI program grant is the sole source of income for the parent(s) or guardian(s). CCR §58620(b)(2)(B) Otherwise, the dependent student’s family income would have to meet the income standards established for CCPG Part B or the student would have to demonstrate the minimum financial need established for Part C.
Other associated public benefits such as Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) and regular Social Security retirement benefits do not automatically qualify students under Part A. To qualify, the student or parents would have to meet the criteria established for CCPG Part B or C.
General Assistance
General Assistance (GA). The receipt of General Assistance qualifies the student for a CCPG. In some counties, additional aid may be available that may come "under the umbrella" of General Assistance. If questions arise, contact your local Department of Public Assistance for a determination of whether that aid can be considered as General Assistance. Again, food stamp eligibility alone is not sufficient to qualify for Part A.