Implementing California’s Child Welfare Prevention Services Program

Jan 28, 2026 - Many counties stated that they already have spent all or most of their state block grant dollars—prior to being able to claim any Title IV‑E matching funds for eligible EBPs. Because federal reimbursement for prevention services will require $1 local funding to match every $1 of federal monies claimed—and given the constraints and complexities of counties’ local
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5106

The 2026-27 Budget: County Administration and H.R. 1 Implementation

Mar 5, 2026 - To what extent are realignment funds used to support CalFresh administration today versus other county funds? How will increased county costs for CalFresh administration under H.R.  1 affect efforts to reduce payment error rates?
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5149

The 2026-27 Budget: In-Home Supportive Services

Mar 18, 2026 - Recent Caseload Growth Has Matched Historic Highs. As seen in Figure  3 , IHSS caseload has grown significantly since 2013. Despite slower caseload growth between 2016 ‑17 and 2020 ‑21 (the caseload continued to grow during this period, just at a slower than usual rate).
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5166

The 2026-27 Budget: Child Welfare

Mar 3, 2026 - The 2024-25 spending plan amended and added substantial new statutory language establishing the permanent rate structure —referred to as the Tiered Rate Structure —and extending the duration of the interim rate period until permanent rates can be implemented (Chapter  46 of 2024 [AB  161, Committee on Budget]).
https://lao.ca.gov/publications/report/5147

The 2026-27 Budget: Food Assistance Programs

Feb 18, 2026 - California ’s most recent payment error rate, for federal fiscal year 2023-24, is about 11  percent. (The comparable national error rate is similarly about 11  percent.) Payment error rates in California and nationally have risen in recent years, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5126

The 2026-27 Budget: Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP) Program

Mar 3, 2026 - The SSI/SSP caseload grew at a rate of less than 1  percent each year between 2011-12 and 2014-15. Beginning in 2015-16, however, SSI/SSP caseload began to decline slowly at an average rate of 1.7  percent each year.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5148