DHA - SB 119 Change to Sanctions

UPE met and conferred on September 21, 2026, with representatives from DHA regarding changes to the handling of WTW sanctions.  First, all sanctions must be cured on intake (if there has been a 30-day break in aid), during recertification, and now during continuing contacts where clients express a desire to cure the sanction and an intent to participate in WTW activities.  These changes are state-mandated.  The state promised a change to CAL-SAWs that would automatically cure the sanctions at intake, but they have pushed back this system change to November.  These changes will impact intake, continuing, and welfare-to-work.

The meeting was spent mostly gathering information from the Department about the changes and the procedures associated with them.  UPE and DHA will meet again on October 1, 2026, when UPE will make proposals related to the impact of the changes on our members.

UPE thanks Olivia Brown, Stephanie McCall, and Tony Derego for their representation at this meeting.