Self-Initiated Programs: Getting Education Through CalWORKs
From CalWORKs | Welfare Resources
Contents |
Your Rights
- What is a SIP?
- It means “Self-Initiated Program.”
- Why be a SIP?
- Being a “SIP” means you are guaranteed education as your CalWORKs welfare-to-work activity!
- Becoming a SIP
- You must be enrolled in school before your CalWORKs “appraisal.” (This is usually your first welfare-to-work appointment.) You do not have to have started school, just be signed up.
- You must be making “satisfactory progress” in school.
- The program results in a degree or certificate. (If you already have a B.A., you must be in a teaching credential program.)
- The school program must lead to employment.
- Leading to Employment?
- If your program is not on the county’s list of pre-approved programs, the county must allow you to show the program will lead to work.
- Note: The county must tell in writing how you can do this, and give you a reasonable time to turn in the proof.
- The County Won’t Approve My Program!
- If you are in school, but you are not in a degree or certificate program, or the county decides that your program will not lead to work, the county must let you to finish the current term.
- At the end of the term, you must either change to a degree or certificate program that will lead to work, or do a different welfare-to-work activity.
- How long do I have?
- You have the full 60-months on CalWORKs to finish your program.
- The county cannot make you change to a shorter program.
- Do I need to do “core” work activities?
- SIPs are not affected by the new work activity rules that go into effect December 1, 2004. You do not have to do 20 “core” hours as a SIP.
- You do have to meet the 32-35 hours/week participation rule.
- If you don’t find your own non-school activities to fill up your hours, the county can send you to “assessment” to develop a welfare-to-work plan for the remaining hours.
- These other activities can’t interfere with your school program.
- Does Study Time Count?
- Supervised study time (such as study labs or tutorials) counts for participation hours.
- Study time at home will not count.
- If you need this as a disability accommodation, contact your local legal advocate.
- Volunteer SIPs
- If you don’t have to do welfare-to-work because you are exempt, you can volunteer.
- If you are a SIP when you become exempt, the county must let you be a volunteer SIP.
- Volunteers still get support services. See “Exemptions” brochure.
- As a volunteer SIP, you do the number of hours that is right for you. You do not have to do the full 32 or 35 hours per week.
- As a volunteer, you can’t be sanctioned.
Solving Problems
- About to graduate?
- If you are finishing High School or getting your GED, and you plan to go to college by the end of the summer, you will not be put into welfare-to-work, and are guaranteed school.
- Sign up for school NOW!
- To get a guaranteed education program, you must be enrolled in school before your first welfare-to-work appointment.
- Counties cannot make you do “appraisal” while your application is pending. If you were not given a choice, and enrolled in school before your aid was granted but after the appraisal appointment, ask for a state fair hearing.
- Get the county policy on how to show your school program will lead to employment. Make sure you ask for more time to turn in your proof, if you need it.
- Denied a SIP?
- Ask for a state fair hearing. Fill out the back of any Notice of Action or call 800-952-5253.
Need More Help?
For more legal help and information, you can use LawHelpCalifornia to contact a local legal advocate.
