COVID-19

COVID-19 extension of RCA, ECA and TCVAP eligibility

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The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued guidance regarding extension of eligibility for Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA), Entrant Cash Assistance (ECA) and Trafficking and Crime Victims Assistance Program (TCVAP) until beyond the 8-month time limit until September 30, 2020.

RCA, ECA and TCVAP provide cash benefits to various refugee and immigrant populations for 8 months.  The programs generally follow eligibility rules for CalWORKs.  Note that applicants and recipients of these programs are not required to provide a Social Security Number.

ECA, RCA and TCVAP are now extended until September 30, 2020 for recipients whose date of eligibility is between April 1, 2019, and February 1, 2020.  For recipients who received their either month of benefits in May, 2020 or will reach the 8 month limit between June 1, 2020 and September 30, 2020, benefits will continue until September 30, 2020.  For such recipients who reached their 8 month limit or were discontinued because of noncompliance, counties can extend benefits until September 30, 2020 if clients reapply and meet eligibility requirements. Counties are encouraged to contact clients to inform them they may be eligible and can reapply.  (ACWDL, June 11, 2020.)

COVID-19 processing IEVS matches

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The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued guidance regarding processing IEVS matches because of COVID-19.  Processing of Recipient-IEVS matches for March, April, and May, 2020 are suspended.  Counties must not process Recipient-IEVS matches received during March, April, and May, 2020.  Counties have been granted an extension of the IEVS follow-up timeframes.

However, processing continues of matches from the Payment Verification System, which includes information on CalWORKs and CalFresh recipients who receive or are entitled to Social Security, Unemployment Insurance and State Disability Insurance benefits.

Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation all count as income for CalFresh.  Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation count as income for CalWORKs.  Pandemic Unemployment Compensation does not count as income for CalWORKs but counts as income for CalWORKs applicants.

CDSS is working with the Employment Development Department to develop an electronic match for Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation.

For CalFresh, if a recipient responds to a notice of adverse action with by stating they receive Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation, the county must verify receipt of those benefits and take appropriate action.

For CalWORKs, any Unemployment Insurance benefits with be added to other earned income and exceed the Income Reporting Threshold to be considered a missed mandatory report.  If the county discovers the recipient may have missed such a report, the county must send the recipient a verification letter to request verification of Unemployment Insurance, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, or Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation.

Beginning June 1, 2020, all IEVS matches will continue except for the Annual IRS Match, which will not resume until 2021.

Cases of suspected fraud must still be referred to Special Investigative Units (SIU) regardless of any temporary waiver periods or restrictions because of COVID-19.  SIUs can continue to conduct face-to-face interviews.   No application or benefits should be delayed, denied or interrupted without sufficient evidence to take case action.  (ACWDL, June 5, 2020.)

COVID-19 Interim Assistance Reimbursement agreements

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Counties can be reimbursed for General Assistance/General Relief paid to claimants from retroactive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.  One condition of this reimbursement is the claimant signing an agreement for interim assistance reimbursement called the SSP 14.

The Social Security Administration has agreed to allow telephone attestations instead of wet signatures on the SSP 14 form for the duration of the COVID-19 state of emergency.  (ACL 20-64, June 4, 2020.)

COVID-19 IHSS personal protective equipment

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The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) informs counties that personal protective equipment is being made available to both In Home Supportive Services (IHSS) providers and recipients who requests it.  Personal protective equipment is available at the Public Authority offices in each county.  Each set of personal protective equipment will include a face mask and a pair of gloves. (ACL 20-61, June 1, 2020.)

COVID-19 Project Roomkey

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The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued information and guidance about Project Roomkey which provides non-congregate shelter options to people experiencing homelessness, particularly private hotel rooms and trailers.  California has distributed 1,305 trailers for Project Roomkey.

CDSS recommends that who are experiencing homelessness and have tested positive for COVID-19, have been exposed to COVID-19 or are at high risk of COVID-19 be prioritized for Project Roomkey.

Project Roomkey providers should: 1) anticipated the need within priority populations and determine how best to triage individuals, 2) identify appropriate locations and properties and execute agreements with property owners, and 3) identify and operationalize core operating services, including wraparound supports.  (ACWDL, June 1, 2020.)

COVID-19 financial support for at risk families

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The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has provided information about financial support for eligible at-risk families with child welfare contact during the COVID-19 state of emergency.  Households are eligible if they meet one of the following criteria with a case open at any time in April, 2020 or a new case opened in May or June, 2020:

  • Households with a Family Maintenance service component without a subsequent entry into Foster Care.
  • Households with an Emergency Response service component without a subsequent entry into Foster Care.
  • Households with a substantiated Emergency Response referral, without an accompanying case opening or entry into Foster Care.
  • Households with an inconclusive Emergency Response referral, without an accompanying case opening or entry into Foster Care, where the Structured Decision Making Risk Assessment was considered high or very high.
  • Probation cases where children or youth were at imminent or serious risk of removal or candidates for foster care.

Eligible households will be issued prepaid cards. The assistance payment will be $200 per month for April, May and June, 2020 or $400 per month for an eligible household with three or more children at risk of entering Foster Care.  Households with cases opened in May will receive the payment for May and June, and households with cases opened in June will receive the payment for June.

These payments will not count as income for CalWORKs or CalFresh.  (ACIN I-44-20, June 1, 2020.)