(a) Notwithstanding Section 11257, in addition to the personal property or resources permitted by other provisions of this part, and to the extent permitted by federal law, an applicant or recipient for aid under this chapter including an applicant or recipient under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11200) may retain countable resources in an amount not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for assistance units that do not include at least one member 60 years of age or older or a disabled member, and in an amount not to exceed fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) for assistance units that include at least one member 60 years of age or older or a disabled member.

(b) Effective January 1, 2021, or the date that automation changes occur, as required for implementation, in the Statewide Automated Welfare System, whichever date is later, and annually thereafter, the resources thresholds described in subdivision (a) shall be increased on January 1 of each subsequent year by an amount equal to the increase in the California Necessities Index for the most recent fiscal year.

(c) The county shall determine the value of exempt personal property other than motor vehicles in conformance with methods established under CalFresh.

(d) (1) (A) The value of each motor vehicle that is not exempt under paragraph (4) shall be the equity value of the vehicle, which shall be the fair market value less encumbrances.

(B) Any motor vehicle with an equity value of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) or less shall not be attributed to the family’s resource level.

(C) For each motor vehicle with an equity value of more than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000), the equity value that exceeds twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) shall be attributed to the family’s resource level.

(2) The equity threshold described in paragraph (1) of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) shall be adjusted upward annually, commencing January 1, 2021, or the date that automation changes occur, as required for implementation, in the Statewide Automated Welfare System, whichever date is later, by the increase, if any, in the United States Transportation Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

(3) The county shall determine the fair market value of the vehicle in accordance with a methodology determined by the department. The applicant or recipient shall self-certify the amount of encumbrance, if any.

(4) The entire value of any motor vehicle shall be exempt if any of the following apply:

(A) It is used primarily for income-producing purposes.

(B) It annually produces income that is consistent with its fair market value, even if used on a seasonal basis.

(C) It is necessary for long distance travel, other than daily commuting, that is essential for the employment of a family member.

(D) It is used as the family’s residence.

(E) It is necessary to transport a physically disabled family member, including an excluded disabled family member, regardless of the purpose of the transportation.

(F) It would be exempted under any of subparagraphs (A) to (D), inclusive, but the vehicle is not in use because of temporary unemployment.

(G) It is used to carry fuel for heating for home use, when the transported fuel or water is the primary source of fuel or water for the family.

(H) Ownership of the vehicle was transferred through a gift, donation, or family transfer, as defined by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

(e) This section shall become operative on June 1, 2020, or when the department notifies the Legislature that the Statewide Automated Welfare System can perform the necessary automation to implement this section, whichever date is later.

(Added by Stats. 2019, Ch. 27, Sec. 34. (SB 80) Effective June 27, 2019. Section operative on or after June 1, 2020, as prescribed by its own provisions.)