Legislative Analyst's Office
State General Fund expenditures for social services programs are estimated to be $6.6 billion in 1994-95. General Fund expenditures for these programs are estimated to increase by $1.7 billion, or 36 percent, between 1987-88 and 1994-95. General Fund spending increased significantly until 1991-92, when realignment legislation shifted about $500 million of social services program costs from the General Fund to the Local Revenue Fund, which is funded through state sales taxes and vehicle license fees.
Combined General Fund and special funds spending (including realignment funds) is estimated to increase by $2.3 billion, or 47 percent, between 1987-88 and 1994-95. This represents an average annual increase of 5.6 percent.
The caseload table shows the average monthly caseloads for the major social services programs from 1992-93 through 1994-95 and the annual percentage change between 1993-94 and 1994-95. It shows that caseloads are projected to increase in the range of 3 to 6 percent.
The federal, state, and local governments fund a large number of programs that provide social services, primarily to low-income persons. The major programs are discussed below.
