Source + trust record
Source checked as of September 18, 2026. Primary authority: EDD WSD18-03 and EDD’s current Active Directives list.
Check result: WSD18-03 remains active California guidance and was revised September 3, 2024. It supports open access to AJCC information, self-service, and referrals without front-loading documentation that is only required when a customer enters a specific funded program or service. Eligibility and verification should occur at the point the applicable funding stream requires them, while customers who cannot enter one program should still be connected to other appropriate services or partners. This AI-assisted brief does not receive human legal or compliance review. Official sources control.
WDB decision strip
| STATUS | ACTION | PRIMARY OWNER | CURRENT TIMING | IMPACT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FINAL · ACTIVE | SEQUENCE REFERRAL + ENROLLMENT CORRECTLY | AJCC Program Leadership | At intake, referral, and program enrollment | Universal access · Eligibility · Referrals · Customer experience |
The bottom line
Do not front-load documentation that is only required when a customer enters a particular funded program. AJCCs should preserve broad access to basic services, make referrals efficiently, and verify eligibility at the point the applicable program legally requires it rather than turning intake into an unnecessary barrier.
Verification should happen at the point a program legally requires it—not as a blanket barrier to walking into an AJCC, receiving information, or being referred to help
WSD18-03 establishes California guidance on pathways to workforce services, referrals, and enrollment, including when work-authorization or other eligibility verification becomes necessary. The directive was revised September 3, 2024 and is designed to preserve broad access to AJCC information and services while applying eligibility documentation at the appropriate program stage.
At a glance
Issued
August 29, 2018
Revised
September 3, 2024
Principle
Open access first
Verification
At applicable enrollment stage
Executive takeaway
AJCCs should not create front-door barriers by demanding documentation before a person can receive information, self-service help, referrals, or other services that do not legally require program eligibility. When a customer moves into a funded program or service with specific eligibility requirements, staff then collect and verify the documentation required for that program.
Think in service layers
| Stage | Approach |
|---|---|
| Information, orientation, self-service | Keep access broad; do not impose unnecessary eligibility screens. |
| Referral to partners/community resources | Connect the customer based on need and partner rules. |
| Enrollment in funded program/services | Apply the specific eligibility and documentation requirements of that program. |
| Training/work-based services | Verify any additional legal or program conditions before obligation. |
Customer-experience test: A person who ultimately cannot enroll in one funding stream may still be eligible for another service or partner resource. Intake should preserve those pathways instead of turning one eligibility issue into a system-wide denial.
Operational considerations for Local Boards
- Map which local services require formal eligibility and which do not.
- Align intake scripts and document checklists to those service levels.
- Train staff to offer referrals when a customer cannot enter one program.
- Review forms for documentation requests that occur earlier than necessary.
- Use the September 2024 revision as the controlling version.
Source basis
Primary source: EDD WSD18-03 — Pathway to Services, Referral, and Enrollment