Public social services: domestic violence services.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Joaquin Arambula

clarifies veriﬁcation and limits for CalWORKs homeless assistance tied to domestic violence, allowing sworn statements and capping temporary shelter to two 16-day periods total.

Re-referred to Com. on HUM. S.

#publicsocialservices #domesticviolenceservices

Purpose and intent

AB 2470 aims to clarify and potentially adjust how CalWORKs homeless assistance related to domestic violence is verified and provided, ensuring recipients fleeing domestic violence can access temporary shelter and housing assistance. The bill operates within the existing CalWORKs framework and reiterates current program rules while organizing them for clearer understanding.

Key provisions and changes (as reflected in the bill text)

Retains the existing CalWORKs framework, where counties administer cash assistance and related benefits funded by federal, state, and local sources.

Maintains that homelessness eligibility under CalWORKs can be established if homelessness is a direct result of domestic violence by a spouse, partner, or roommate.

Allows domestic violence to be verified via a sworn statement from the victim.

Caps for homeless assistance payments tied to domestic violence:

Two periods of temporary shelter assistance, each period not to exceed 16 cumulative calendar days.
Two payments of permanent housing assistance.

For CalWORKs applicants who report past or present domestic abuse and are fleeing their abuser:

They are deemed homeless and eligible for temporary shelter assistance, as specified in statute.

The lifetime limit for temporary shelter assistance for CalWORKs applicants is:

Two periods of up to 16 cumulative calendar days each, within the applicant’s lifetime.

The stated homeless assistance payments are in addition to other homeless assistance payments that the applicant may qualify for later if they become a CalWORKs recipient.

Who is affected

CalWORKs applicants and recipients who experience homelessness as a direct result of domestic violence.

County welfare departments administering CalWORKs, homeless assistance, and related shelter/housing programs.

Domestic violence survivors seeking temporary shelter or permanent housing assistance under CalWORKs.

Administrative stakeholders and advocates coordinating VAWS (verification) processes under the program.

Procedural and timeline aspects

The bill’s action history indicates movement through the California Legislature in early 2026:

Referred to the Assembly Human Services Committee (HUM. S.) on March 23, 2026.
Previously referred and amended in March 2026.
Initially introduced and read in February 2026, with printer publication on February 20, 2026.

As a policy clarification and continuation of existing rules, the bill does not introduce new funding levels beyond what is already allocated in CalWORKs, but it reinforces verification methods and caps for homeless assistance related to domestic violence.

Any changes would be implemented in the same framework used by counties to administer CalWORKs and homeless services, subject to state funding and administrative guidelines.

Notable details and figures

Temporary shelter: up to two periods, each up to 16 days (cumulative) of temporary shelter assistance.

Permanent housing: up to two payments (no specified dollar cap in the text provided; the cap is on the number of payments and periods).

Lifetime limit: two periods of temporary shelter assistance (16 days each) for applicants while not yet recipients.

If you’d like, I can add a section comparing AB 2470 to current law with redline-style phrasing, or provide a plain-language FAQ based on these provisions.

Bill