Agenda

Return

D.4

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Marla Stuart, Employment and Human Services Director
Date:	August 15, 2023

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Guaranteed Income Presentation

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 08/15/2023

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Ken Carlson, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

Erick Untal (925) 608-4884

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: August 15, 2023
Monica Nino, County Administrator

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

ACCEPT report as presented by the Employment and Human Services Director and provide guidance regarding waiving of income for Guaranteed Income Pilot payments for individuals residing in Contra Costa County.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Should the Board direct the Employment and Human Services Department to request waivers of Guaranteed Income for General Assistance applicants, and should this result in an applicant being eligible for General Assistance, the average monthly county cost would be $203 per person.

BACKGROUND:

On March 21, 2023, the Board of Supervisors directed the Employment & Human Services (EHSD) Director to return to the Board with an overview of Guaranteed Income Pilot projects. In this presentation, EHSD

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

1) provides a description of the features and desired outcome of Universal Basic Income (UBI);
2) describes Guaranteed Income Pilots as subsets of UBI;
3) summarizes Contra Costa County guaranteed income initiatives;
4) reviews existing income waivers for public assistance; and
5) requests Board guidance as to whether Contra Costa County will request income waivers for Guaranteed Income Pilots that benefit Contra Costa County residents.

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) allows counties to request that income from Guaranteed Income Pilots be waived, or disregarded, as income in the determination of eligibility for public assistance programs (CalWORKs, CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and General Assistance). Income from Guaranteed Income Pilots could result in some households becoming ineligible for public assistance programs due to being over-income. Should the Board decide to request waivers of income from Guaranteed Income Pilots for the determination of eligibility for public assistance programs, it could mean that some households would become eligible for assistance who may not otherwise be eligible.

The County cost of approving waivers of income from Guaranteed Income Pilot projects is low. There is no county share of cost for CalFresh assistance payments or Medi-Cal provider payments. For CalWORKs assistance payments, there is a 2.5% county share of cost. Should a wavier of Guaranteed Income result in the difference between a household not qualifying and qualifying for CalWORKs, the average monthly county cost would be $22.26 for one household. The most substantial cost incurred would be realized with General Assistance which is 100% funded by the County. Should a wavier of Guaranteed Income result in the difference between not qualifying and qualifying for General Assistance, the average monthly county cost for one household would be $203 per household. Guaranteed Income Pilot projects are usually designed for families, pregnant individuals, and former foster youth, none of whom typically qualify for General Assistance. There are currently no known Guaranteed Income Pilots for General Assistance recipients.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

Should the Board choose not to direct the Employment and Human Services Department to request waivers of Guaranteed Income for CalFresh, Medi-Cal and General Assistance, the receipt of Guaranteed Income could cause some households to become ineligible for these public assistance programs.

CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:

Guaranteed income payments made to low-income families support all five of Contra Costa County’s child outcomes: (1) "Children Ready for and Succeeding in School"; (2) "Children and Youth Healthy and Preparing for Productive Adulthood"; (3) "Families that are Economically Self-Sufficient"; (4) "Families that are Safe, Stable and Nurturing"; and (5) "Communities that are Safe and Provide a High Quality of Life for Children and Families”.

CLERK'S ADDENDUM

Speakers: Ruth Fernandez, Executive Director First 5 Contra Costa; Debra Ballinger, Monument Impact; Mariana Moore, Ensuring Opportunity Campaign; Jessica Trevina; Kimmi, Rubicon; Lauren; Stephanie Taddeo.

ACCEPTED the report; and DIRECTED staff to seek the income waivers outlined in the report for Guaranteed Income Pilot payments for individuals residing in Contra Costa County.