Policy Text
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Determination of Ability to Pay
The purpose of this Order is to e stablish guidelines for determ ining ability to pay
standards for participants of Wor k Release Division programs.
I. Policy Statement
Pursuant to Penal Code 4024.2 and S. C.C. 2.90.310, respectively , an administrative fee
and a per day fee are charged to each program participant. Fee s can be adjusted or
waived according to the parti cipant’s ability to pay.
II. Contents of Order
A. The table below identifies topics covered in this Order:
Topic See Page
General Guidelines 1-2
Financial Interviewin g 2
Income and Household Ex penses 2-3
Adjustment or Waivin g of Fees 3-4
III. General Guidelines
A. The administrative fee shoul d be paid in full, waived, or ad justed prior to
the interview.
B. An applicant who believes he/s he qualifies for a fee reducti on may be
required to provide written proof of expenses and income.
IV. Determining Program Daily Fees
A. Once the administrative fee is paid, waived or adjusted, the site interview
is completed, and the participant’s eligibility for the program is determined,
the financial interviewer s hall calculate total fees.
B. Work Project fees will be based on a max imum of $40.00 per s entenced
day, or based on the current maxim um as provided by the Sacrame nto
County Board of Supervisors.
C. The maximum daily Home Det ention fee will be based on the su m of
current daily monitoring and rent al fees for electronic monitor ing and alco-
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Detention fees will not exceed $47.00 per day, or shall not exc eed the
current maximum as approved by t he Sacramento C ounty Board of
Supervisors.
D. The maximum daily rate for Al ternative Sentencing is $30.00. However,
the fees are charged at a lower r ate for the smaller sentences.
E. When fees have been determined , the financial interview will establish a
payment schedule.
V. Financial Evaluation/Adjustment
A. If an applicant desires a financ ial adjustment review, they may be required
to provide additional written fi nancial information to the Coll ection Services
Agent who will re-evaluate their financial status and make appr opriate
adjustments as necessary.
B. The financial evaluation assist s the CSA in i dentifying inco me and
expenses: 1. Participant’s household income(s) 2. Necessary living expenses 3. Indebtedness 4. Assets
C. The Collection Services Agent can adjust and/or waive fees b ased on this
evaluation.
VI. Appeal Process
A. If a participant wishes to further discuss the Collection Se rvices Agent’s
determination of ability to pay, the Collection Services Superv isor or
appropriate Sergeant may be called in.
VII. Financial Interviewing
A. During the initial interview , in rare cases the participant may be requested
to return with documentati on on income and expenses.
B. Occasionally a spouse or part ner will be brought in to provi de the needed
information.
VIII. Disability or Workers’ Compensation
A. If the participant is on disab ility or workers’ compensation , determine the
following:
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2. How long has he/she been unemployed?
3. Was the participant laid off or terminated?
4. Does the participant live alone or with a spouse, co-habitan t, or
parent who helps support the household?
5. Does the unemployment amount e xceed the Cal Works or General
Assistance grant amount?
IX. Income and Household Expenses
A. Income general
1. Often, it will appear that the par ticipant has more expenses than
income. Usually this occurs bec ause the participant is attempt ing
to conceal income from other sources: a. A second job b. A spouse or roommate c. Social Security benefits d. Child support
X. Household Expenses General
A. The Collection Services Agen t will question unrealistic expe nses to clarify
the participant’s intent. If the amounts are obviously inflate d, and the
participant cannot reasonably subst antiate them, the Collection Services
Agent should inform the participant.
XI. Expense Evaluation
A. The Collection Services Agen t shall evaluate the following:
1. Expenses for utilities, food and transportation.
2. Do they appear grossly exaggerated?
3. Are past due amounts inclu ded in the monthly expenses?
4. Has the applicant intentionally inflated his/her expenses, h oping
that the monthly pay ment will be reduced?
B. Do not allow the participant to claim full rent expense if h e/she is not the
sole occupant. Expenses should be prorated based on the number of
adults in the residence.
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XII. Adjustment or Waiving of Fees
A. A participant