The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) is extending waivers of the initial application and recertification interview and face-to-face interview. These waivers were previously in effect, and are not being reimplemented because of the Continuing Appropriations Act. These waivers are now in effective until December 31, 2021.
Per previous guidance, counties must waive the requirement for an interview at initial certification and recertification of eligibility for benefits if the county has verified the identity of the applicant and has completed all mandatory verifications. If an interview cannot be waived, the county may require a telephone interview even if the household requests an in-person interview. However, counties can only deny a request for a face-to-face interview once the county has confirmed that the household has access to a telephone or the county provides access to a telephone. Counties must also conduct a face-to-face interview as a reasonable accommodation for a disability.
Federal Quality Control reviews will resume for July, 2021. Counties can conduct quality control interviews by telephone through December 31, 2021. (All County Welfare Directors Letter, July 1, 2021.)