Author: Stephen Goldberg

CalWORKs MBSAC increase

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Effective July 1, 2017, the CalWORKs Minimum Basic Standard of Adequate Care (MBSAC) increased by 3.84%. The MBSAC is the maximum amount of income an assistance unit can have, after income deductions, and be eligible for CalWORKs. The increase is the cost of living increase required by Welfare and Institutions Code Section 11453. This cost of living increase also increased the Income-In-Kind (IIK) level by 3.84%. The IIK level is the value assigned to free housing, utilities, clothes or food

These increases also apply to Refugee Cash Assistance, Entrant Cash Assistance and Trafficking and Crime Victims Assistance Program benefits.  The California Department of Social Services issued a chart showing the new MBSAC and IIK amount.

If computer systems are not updated to implement the new MBSAC level, county must review and correct any applications denied after July 1, 2017 if the only reason for denial was failure to pass applicant financial eligibility because of the MBSAC or aid in kind amounts used.  ACL 17-44 (June 2, 2017).

Failure to sign IHSS provider agreement

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Previously, the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) instructed that IHSS providers who did not sign the SOC 846 provider agreement by April 29, 2017 would be terminated from the program.  CDSS has rescinded this policy.  CDSS states that most providers completed and returned the SOC 846 and all providers have received the information contained in the SOC 846. As a result, no disciplinary action will be taken against IHSS providers who do not sign and return the provider agreement.  (ACL 17-43, May 19, 2017.)

CalFresh treatment of IHSS wages

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The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued instructions about treatment of IHSS wages for purposes of CalFresh.  CDSS has decided that IHSS wages are income for purposes of CalFresh.  CDSS states that IHSS wages are not excluded as money received for care and maintenance of the third party who is not a household member because it is considered earned income.  In addition, the Internal Revenue Service rules excluding IHSS as a difficulty of care payment do not apply to CalFresh.  (ACIN I-34-17, May 26, 2017.)

Changes to neurological disorders listings

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Social Security has rewritten the listings for neurological disorders effective September 29, 2016.

The revised introduction to Listing Section 11.00 includes criteria for how to establish “disorganization of motor function” and how to evaluate those criteria.  If Social Security does not find a person disabled on this basis alone but finds marked limitation in physical function and any one of four areas of mental function, it will find no residual functional capacity for work.

Some of the highlights of the changes are: epilepsy is combined into revised and expanded Listing 11.03, the IQ factor for cerebral palsy in Listing 11.07 is removed, listing 11.09 for Multiple Sclerosis now includes marked limitation in physical functioning in addition to mental functioning, listing 11.20 for coma or persistent vegetative state persisting for at least one month is added, and listing 11.22 for motor neuron disorders other than ALS is added.

The children’s listings are rearranged to more closely parallel the adult listings. Listing 111.06 for motor dysfunction is removed.

Revised Medical Criteria for Evaluating Neurological Disorders, 81 Fed. Reg. 43048 (July 1, 2016).

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Changes to HIV listing

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Social Security has rewritten the listing for HIV effective January 17, 2017.  The introduction to Listing Section 14 describing HIV is rewritten including changing the tests used for a definitive determination of HIV.  The new introduction also allows persuasive physician diagnosis of HIV which can be with or without laboratory findings, and documentation of manifestation of HIV.

Prior listing 14.08 is repealed.  New Listing 14.11 list requires specific documentation stated in introductory section 14.00F1 and one of eight conditions or criteria to meet the listing.  The new listing no longer includes documented side effects, resulting infections and illnesses.  Changes to the childrens listing mirror the adult listing changes.

Revised Medical Criteria for Evaluating Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection and for Evaluating Functional Limitations in Immune System Disorders, 81 Fed. Reg. 86915 (December 2, 2016).

Changes to mental impairment listings

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Social Security has substantially changed the mental impairment listings effective January 17, 2017.  The revisions add three new listed impairments: neurodevelopmental disorders (includes learning disabilities) (new Listing 12.11), eating disorders (new listing 12.13), and trauma- and stressor-related disorders (including PTSD) (new listing 12.15).  The revisions also substantially rewrite the listing for Intellectual Disability (listing 12.05).  Revisions to the children’s listings mirror changes to the adult listings.

The revisions change the “B” criteria.  The new “B” criteria are: Understand, Remember or Apply Information; Interact with Others; Concentrate, Persist or Maintain Pace and Adapt or Manage Oneself.  The revisions add multiple factors to consider for each of the new “B” criteria.

The revisions also require considering homelessness as a factor in difficulty to produce medical evidence.

Revised Medical Criteria for Evaluating Mental Disorders, 81 Fed. Reg. 66138 (September 26, 2016).

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