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HomeWelfare and Institutions CodeDiv. 9Pt. 3Ch. 2[ARTICLE 3.2. Gre...§ 11321 Grieving Parent Assistance Exemption

§ 11321 Grieving Parent Assistance Exemption

Welfare and Institutions Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 11321 Grieving Parent Assistance Exemption

This law says that if a parent on welfare loses a child, they won't get punished for missing work or program rules for that month and the next. The county must also help them get food, housing, and mental health support.

Key Takeaways

  • •If your child dies while you're on welfare, you get a break from work rules for that month and the next.
  • •The county must help you get food, housing, and counseling.
  • •This only applies to parents who are required to work or train as part of their welfare program.

Example

A single mom on welfare has a child who passes away. She misses a required job training session because she's grieving.

She won't get in trouble or lose benefits for missing the session that month or the next. The county must also help her find food stamps, housing help, and counseling.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 11321 Grieving Parent Assistance Exemption

(a) Notwithstanding any other law, sanctions shall not be applied for a grieving parent’s failure or refusal to comply with program requirements during the month in which a child in the assistance unit died, or the following month. (b) Upon receiving notification of the death of a child in an assistance unit, the county shall do both of the following: (1) Assist a grieving parent in accessing services for which the parent may be eligible. These services may include, but are not limited to, nutrition supplement programs, housing assistance, and other cash aid programs. (2) Provide information to the grieving parent about mental health services, including, but not limited to, information about, and a referral to, services provided by the county human services agency, if appropriate. (c) For the purposes of this section, “grieving parent” means an aided adult who is required to participate in welfare-to-work activities and who experiences the death of a child in his or her assistance unit. (Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 514, Sec. 1. (AB 433) Effective January 1, 2016.)

Last verified: January 11, 2026

Key Terms

grieving parentassistance unitwelfare-to-work activities

Related Statutes

  • § 11322.8 Welfare-To-Work Hour Requirements
  • § 11320 Gain Program Definition
  • § 11320.3 Welfare-To-Work Participation Requirements
  • § 11322.4 Welfare-To-Work Funding Intent
  • § 11322.82 Self-Employment Activity Hours

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Welfare and Institutions Code. Section 11321.
View Official Source