(a) (1) Each applicant shall be required before approval of assistance or services to file an affirmation setting forth the applicant’s belief that the applicant meets the specific conditions of eligibility. Such statements shall be on forms prescribed by the department and, in the case of applicants for aid to families with dependent children, shall contain a written declaration that the affirmation is made under penalty of perjury. Any person signing a statement containing such declaration, who willfully and knowingly with intent to deceive states as true any material matter that the person knows to be false, is subject to the penalty prescribed for perjury in the Penal Code.
(2) Whenever the applicant is incapable of completing the affirmation required pursuant to paragraph (1), and a guardian or conservator of the applicant’s estate has not been appointed, the affirmation may be completed on the applicant’s behalf by a relative or close personal friend or a representative of a public agency who has all necessary knowledge regarding the applicant’s circumstances and is willing to affirm thereto. A copy of the affirmation shall be furnished to the applicant or other person completing it at the time it is filed. The other person completing an affirmation who willfully and knowingly with intent to deceive states as true any material matter that the person knows to be false is subject to the penalty prescribed for perjury in the Penal Code.
(3) A county department may also require like statements to be completed before approving restoration of aid as provided by Section 11051, and may require new statements at any time for purposes of continuing assistance.
(b) On and after July 1, 2021, an applicant may complete the affirmation described in subdivision (a) by means of an oral attestation in lieu of a written declaration if the applicant is unable to provide a physical signature or the county human services agency is unable to accept an electronic signature. Except for benefits issued pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (f) of Section 11450, the applicant shall submit a physical signature within 30 working days following an oral attestation for benefits to continue.
(c) Subdivision (b) shall remain operative until the California Statewide Automated Welfare System consortium has implemented an integrated telephonic signature solution. Upon implementation of a telephonic signature solution, the affirmation described in subdivision (a) may be satisfied by use of a telephonic signature.
(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 85, Sec. 30. (AB 135) Effective July 16, 2021.)