Trends in CalWORKs: Participant Characteristics

Jun 16, 2025 - Caseload Over Time Historically, Caseload Generally Increased Following Economic Downturns. During economic downturns, many households lose jobs and other sources of income. Some of these households enroll in CalWORKs .
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5057

The 2025-26 Budget: Overview of the Federal CalWORKs Pilot

Feb 21, 2025 - As mentioned, CDSS reported to the Legislature in January 2025 with its cost estimates to implement various policy changes as part of the pilot. While our office is still working to assess the cost estimates (including assumed county administrative savings), the estimates generally appear reasonable at this time.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4978

The 2025-26 Budget: The California State Payroll System IT Project

Mar 7, 2025 - Only one out of six roles on a DART —the liaison, which is CSPS ’s single point of contact with the department for change management efforts —requires a department staff ’s full-time commitment. The remaining five roles —the reporting coordinator, scope/capability subject matter experts, sponsor, technical coordinator, and training coordinator —require partial
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5011

The 2025-26 Budget: Overview of the Governor's Budget

Jan 13, 2025 - The  administration appears to share some of these concerns, noting recent job losses among high ‑wage workers and the risks posed by the inherent volatility of tax receipts tied to stock market gains.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4951

Trends in CalWORKs: Participant Characteristics [Publication Details]

Jun 16, 2025 - This report is the first of a three-part series focused on trends in the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program. Each part of the series focuses on an area of the program, beginning with this report on participant characteristics.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5057

The 2025-26 Budget: Child Welfare

Feb 13, 2025 - As part of CCR, county child welfare agencies are required to coordinate a CFT meeting for youth within 60 days of entering foster care, and at least every six months throughout their time in care. In line with the goals of BH-CONNECT to help prevent entry into or further escalation within the child welfare system, DSS expanded the CFT requirement to include FM cases.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4962

The 2025-26 Budget: In-Home Supportive Services

Mar 6, 2025 - While the administration does not include any major new IHSS related proposals as part of the Governor ’s 2025-26 budget, throughout this post, we provide updates on some of the most recent, prior-year policy changes.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5009

Preliminary Assessment of Significant Changes to State's Technology Project Approval and Oversight Processes

Apr 29, 2025 - This time line would be more reasonable than the administration ’s plan for a full launch of the PDL process this July, giving both the administration and the Legislature additional time to adjust their own processes (including the annual budget process) to the new realities of GenAI technology.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5034

The 2025-26 Budget: Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP) Program

Feb 13, 2025 - The administration does not include any new SSP-related proposals as part of the Governor ’s 2025-26 budget proposal. Background The SSI/SSP program provides cash grants to low-income aged, blind, and disabled individuals.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4964

The 2025-26 Budget: Food Assistance Programs

Feb 19, 2025 - Our 2024-25 and 2025-26 estimates generally align with the administration ’s forecast at this time. We will revisit this estimate in the spring when additional data is available. Budget Maintains Delay in CFAP Expansion.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4971