The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued guidance regarding administration of the In Home Supportive Services (IHSS) provider enrollment process and flexibility in authorization of hours and overtime violations because of COVID-19. These guidelines are in place until June 30, 2020.
CDSS is temporarily waiving the requirements for providers to submit original documents verifying identity of the provider for enrollment, and for providers to attend orientation in person and sign the IHSS Provider Enrollment Form, SOC 846, in person. The requirement for the county to get a completed and signed SOC 846 remains in effect.
Counties can ask that documentation verifying the provider’s identity be mailed to the county. However, these documents do not need to be received by the county prior to enrolling the provider.
Counties may, with the agreement of labor unions, offer orientation to new providers remotely. However, providers should be enrolled prior to completing remote orientation.
Counties should be flexible in adjusting weekly authorized service hours to ensure adequate and timely services during the State of Emergency. Counties should adjust hours when alternative resources such as school or community-based serves that were previously used are no longer available.
When IHSS providers will incur overtime or travel time violations for performing services that are “in critical need” during the State of Emergency, CDSS will remove the violations until June 30, 2020. (ACL 20-32, April 10, 2020.)