RSS feed of recent human services budget and policy publications from the Legislative Analyst's Office.https://lao.ca.govSocial ServicesPresented to: Assembly Select Committee on CalFresh Enrollment and Nutritionhttps://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5174https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5174Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTSocial ServicesIn this brief, we analyze and provide background on the primary cost drivers of the In-home Supportive Services (IHSS) program, describe and analyze the Governor’s budget proposals related to IHSS, and provide additional considerations and questions for the Legislature to ask regarding the Governor’s proposals.https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5166https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5166Wed, 18 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMTSocial ServicesAssembly Budget Subcommittee No. 7 on Accountability and Oversighthttps://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5155https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5155Wed, 11 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMTSocial ServicesIn this brief, we provide background on affordable housing and affordable housing funding programs, describe and analyze the Governor’s budget proposals related to affordable housing funding, and provide recommendations to the Legislature. https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5154https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5154Fri, 06 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMTSocial ServicesIn this brief, we assess the Governor's proposed funding for county administration of Medi-Cal and CalFresh in response to H.R. 1 and provide related recommendations. https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5149https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5149Thu, 05 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMTSocial ServicesCalifornia’s children and family programs include an array of services to protect children from abuse and neglect and to keep families safely together when possible. This analysis outlines the Governor’s proposed 2026-27 budget for child welfare and foster care programs under the Department of Social Services (DSS), and raises questions and issues for the Legislature to consider.https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5147https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5147Tue, 03 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMTSocial ServicesFor 2026-27, the Governor’s budget proposes $3.6 billion from the General Fund for the state’s share of SSI/SSP—an increase of $94 million (2.7 percent) from the Governor’s revised 2025-26 budget estimate. This increase would bring total program funding to $11.5 billion ($3.6 billion from the General Fund and $7.9 billion federal funds) in 2026-27. We note that while the year-over-year change in General Fund costs for the program is relatively flat, it is increasing slightly despite the fact that caseload is expected to decline and the average state cost for grants is remaining flat. We have been informed by the administration that this is due to a technical adjustment to the current year and we discuss this at a high level in this post.https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5148https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5148Tue, 03 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMTSocial ServicesAssembly Budget Subcommittee No. 7 on Accountability and Oversighthttps://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5123https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5123Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMTSocial ServicesIn this post, we provide an assessment of the Governor's proposed CalWORKs budget for 2026-27. https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5122https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5122Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMTSocial ServicesIn this post, we assess the Governor's proposed budget for food assistance programs, including CalFresh. https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5126https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5126Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT