SB 374 Summary

• Establishes a $500 standard allowance for CalWORKs recipients enrolled full-time in postsecondary education and making satisfactory progress, payable in cash or as a book voucher no later than 15 days before semester start.

• Allows recipients to opt out of the standard allowance and claim reimbursement for actual book and supply costs, with county payment required within 10 days of request.

• Deems full-time postsecondary students making satisfactory progress as meeting all welfare-to-work requirements, including hourly participation rates, and entitles them to necessary supportive services like child care and transportation.

• Permits part-time postsecondary students meeting hourly participation rates to count recommended study hours toward welfare-to-work requirements and receive supportive services.

• Extends the 24-month cumulative education participation period for recipients enrolled in publicly funded postsecondary institutions making satisfactory progress that would meaningfully increase employment likelihood.