(a) Notwithstanding any other law, any assistance or relief authorized by, and provided by a community water system or a wastewater treatment provider to an individual pursuant to, this chapter shall be treated in the same manner as the federal earned income refund for the purpose of determining the individual’s eligibility to receive benefits under Division 9 (commencing with Section 10000) of the Welfare and Institutions Code, excluding benefits under Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 14000) of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, or amounts of those benefits.

(b) Notwithstanding any other law, any assistance or relief authorized by, and provided by a community water system or a wastewater treatment provider to an individual pursuant to, this chapter shall not be taken into account as income, and shall not be taken into account as resources for a period of 12 months from receipt, for purposes of determining the eligibility of that individual, or any other individual, for benefits or assistance or the amount or extent of benefits or assistance under any state or local program not covered in subdivision (a). With respect to a state or local program, this subdivision shall only be implemented to the extent that it does not conflict with federal law relating to that program, and that any required federal approval or waiver is first obtained for that program.

(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 3, Sec. 3. (SB 113) Effective February 9, 2022. Inoperative July 1, 2026, pursuant to Section 116773.8. Repealed as of January 1, 2027, pursuant to Section 116773.8.)