County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency HHSACalWORKs Program Guide Number
Page
Temporary Absence From The Assistance Unit
41500C
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Revision Date
July 1 2020
Background
Any member of an Assistance Unit AU may be considered temporarily absent when absent from the home for one full calendar month or less A child may be considered to be living in the home of a caretaker relative even though the child andor the caretaker relative is temporarily absent from the home
Purpose
To define the factors to be considered when determining temporary absence status This material revision is to reformat the section
Policy
Length of Temporary Absence Rules
Any member of the AU can be temporarily absent from the home for one calendar month or less
One full calendar month is from the first day of the month through the last day of the month
If the individual is absent for the entire month of February the calendar month is not considered completed until a full 30 days has transpired
A person confined in a correctional facility on the first of any month and expected to remain for one calendar month or more is to be considered permanently absent
Examples
On February 2nd an AU member leaves the home to visit other family and returns on March 16th The person left after the 1st and was not gone for one calendar month They would be considered temporarily absent
On April 16th an AU member leaves home due to a death in the family and does not return until June 3rd The person was gone more than one calendar month May and is not eligible for aid in June
In a nonleap year an AU member leaves the home on February 1st The person is not considered absent until March 3rd after 30 days away from home
Evaluating for Length of Absence Exception Factors The following factors must be evaluated in determining exceptions to the one calendar month time limit for temporary absence
The caretaker relative must continue to exercise responsibility for care and control of the child
The absent person has the ability to return
In the case of an absent child the caretaker relative has the ability to require the return of the child to the home
The caretaker relative continues to contribute to the support of the child
Verification Verification is required to document the basis of any exception to the one full calendar month time limit for temporary absence described below Documentation consists of a thirdparty verification and a case comment explanation
Example
County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency HHSACalWORKs Program Guide Number
Page
Temporary Absence From The Assistance Unit
41500C
2 of 3
The AU reports that a child has been hospitalized Verification is required to document the basis of the temporary absence Acceptable evidence that a child is hospitalized may include but is not limited to the following
An admittance documentation from the hospital
A letter from the admitting medical doctor or other legally qualified medical professional
Other documentation determined to be acceptable evidence that the child has been admitted to the hospital
The documentation must include the date the child was admitted to the hospital and if possible the anticipated duration of the hospital stay If the child remains hospitalized beyond the anticipated duration of the hospital stay a new verification is required
Reasons for Exceptions to the Length of Absence Time Limit The following situations are exceptions to the one full calendar month time limit for a temporary absence from the home
Reason for Absence
Hospital Stay
Employment
Institution of Higher Learning and Educational School leading to high school diploma or equivalent
Vocational School leading to a job
A Child with an Individualized Education Plan IEP
A Child in a Licensed Group Home
Description
As of January 1 2014
Any AU member may be considered temporarily absent during a hospital stay
A hospital stay may include any inpatient admission to a medical hospital a psychiatric care facility or drug andor alcohol rehabilitation treatment facility
An AU member absent from the home because of work is temporarily absent for the duration of the job
Absence from the home to search for a job does not qualify for this exemption
An AU member who is away from home to attend one of these institutions is considered temporarily absent when there is no local school that provides the same preparatory opportunities
Individuals who qualify for this exemption continue to be considered temporarily absent during the period they are in school or training
A child who is away from home to attend a school that meets their special needs is temporarily absent when there is no local school that can meet the childs needs
When a child is in a licensed group home due to a crisis situation such as their parent
o
Being hospitalized
o
Being Incapacitated
o
Receiving respite care services to maintain family stability is considered temporarily absent if Foster Care is not paying for the childs care and
The caretaker relative continues to have care and control over the child
This exemption is limited to the duration of the parents illness or the other family crisis
County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency HHSACalWORKs Program Guide Number
Page
Temporary Absence From The Assistance Unit
41500C
3 of 3
A child placed in outofhome care by a Childrens Services Protective Services Worker
If the childs family is considered to be a CalWORKs Family Reunification then the child is considered temporarily absent for up to 180 days
The absence may be extended by order of Juvenile Court
The child continues to be considered temporarily absent until returned home or reunification services are terminated by the Juvenile Court
Procedure
None
Program Impacts
None
References
EAS 82812
Sunset Date
This policy will be reviewed for continuance by July 31 2023
Approval for Release
Rick Wanne Director Eligibility Operations