The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued guidance regarding continued assistance payments and case management for persons who were in extended foster care upon turning age 21 between April 17, 2020 and June 30, 2021. The California Budget extends assistance payments and case management to all persons in extended foster care upon turning age 21 on or after April 17, 2020 through June 30, 2021.
If a county discontinued assistance payments for persons who were in extended foster care upon turning age 21 between April 17, 2020 and June 30, 2021, the county must make diligent efforts to contact those persons immediately, and no later than 10 days after October 23, 2020. The county must arrange to resume and make retroactive assistance payments if the person was eligible. These payments must be provided unless the person affirmatively opts out to have the payments discontinued. If the person did not remain in a provider-based setting after discontinuance, the young adult is ineligible for payment equivalent to the rate for a supervised independent living placement, even if a housing location was not approved.
Persons who were in extended foster care upon turning age 21 and are not receiving extended assistance and support are not in extended foster care and are not nonminor dependents, and therefore do not have participation, housing or placement approval requirements. Payments may not be terminated because these persons are not participating in employment or education activities, or for living in unapproved housing.
Because these persons are no longer in extended foster care or court dependents, monthly contact visits can occur remotely. Caseworkers should try to make in-person contact with these persons at least quarterly.
A person receiving assistance after turning age 21 may continue to reside in any type of eligible foster care placement as a client, or the person can receive payment equivalent to the Supervised Independent Placement Living rate. If a parenting young adult was receiving an infant supplement, the infant supplement must continue to be paid as long as the nondependent child continues to live with the parent. After a young adult turns 21, a new infant supplement may be approved based on a change in circumstances. No other types of rate supplements may be newly granted after the young adult turns age 21, but rate supplements granted and in effect when the young adult turns age 21 may continue to the same provider. If a person transitions to other independent housing, they are responsible locating their new housing. However, caseworkers should provide assistance and support upon request.
Recipients of extended foster care assistance after turning age 21 must be given adequate notice before any county action denying, changing or terminating benefits. (ACL 20-117, October 23, 2020 and ACL 20-117E, November 2, 2020.)