1. (a) HOPE program administrators shall work with the Department of Social Services, the Department of Public Health, and other California state and local government agencies to verify all eligibility criteria except for information that can only be provided by the potentially Eligible Child, an Eligible Youth, or their surviving parent, Indian custodian, or legal guardian.
2. (b) HOPE administrators shall use information provided by, but not limited to, potentially Eligible Children, their parent, Indian custodian, or legal guardian, or Eligible Youth, as well as state, county, local, and tribal government agencies, and community organizations to identify potentially Eligible Children.
3. (c) Upon verification of eligibility, HOPE shall enroll Eligible Children and Eligible Youth, create HOPE trust accounts for them, and begin making annual deposits to those accounts.

4. (d) Denial of enrollment and appeals process:

   1. (1) Upon determination that an applicant does not meet eligibility criteria, HOPE staff shall submit a Notice of Action (NOA) form via mail or email informing the applicant, and the applicant's surviving parent, legal guardian, or Indian custodian that the applicant does not meet eligibility criteria. The NOA shall include:

      1. (A) The name of the applicant that was denied enrollment.
      2. (B) The date of application.
      3. (C) The date of denial.
      4. (D) A reason for denial.
      5. (E) A description of the appeals process.

   2. (2) Within sixty (60) calendar days from date of postmarked letter of denial or date of sent email, the applicant or their parent, Indian custodian, or legal guardian, may submit a written appeal. The appeal must be sent electronically via email to: [email protected] with the subject heading: HOPE eligibility appeal or may be mailed to the address identified in the NOA.

      1. (A) The request for appeal must include the original NOA, along with the letter explaining why the decision is inaccurate.
      2. (B) Provide any supporting information or documentation that was not previously submitted to HOPE.

   3. (3) HOPE staff will review the submitted information or documentation and make a determination of eligibility.

      1. (A) Within sixty (60) calendar days from the date the appeal was received, HOPE staff will submit a final determination to the appellee or their surviving parent, Indian custodian, or legal guardian, using the NOA via mail or email that will either confirm the original denial of enrollment or overturn the denial and enroll the applicant into the HOPE program.

Note: Authority cited: Sections 18997.5, 18997.52 and 18997.54, Welfare and Institutions Code. Reference: Sections 18997.51, 18997.54 and 18997.58, Welfare and Institutions Code.

History

1. New section filed 8-26-2025; operative 10-1-2025 (Register 2025, No. 35).