The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) is now allowing initial In Home Supportive Services (IHSS) assessment to be done by video call.  Counties must continue to do initial face-to-face assessments when appropriate.

Quality Assurance/Program Integrity home visits can be done in person or by video call during the COVID-19 emergency.  (ACL 20-42, April 16, 2020.)

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.)

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued guidance regarding an exception to IHSS applicants submitting the SOC 873 Health Care Certification prior to authorization of IHSS services.

Counties can consider all new IHSS applicants who are unable to obtain a SOC 873 from their licensed heath care provider because of COVID-19 to be considered at imminent risk of out of home placement and therefore have good cause for not submitting the SOC 873 prior to authorization of services.  These applicants should have good cause to submit the SOC 873 up to 90 days from the date it is requested by county.  Counties may authorize IHSS services pending receipt of the SOC 873 for 90 days from the date of the county request for applicants who meet all eligibility requirements.  (ACIN I-28-20, March 30, 2020.)

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued guidance regarding social worker outreach and overtime.  CDSS will augment IHSS administrative fund to support social worker overtime.  Social workers’ primary work during overtime should be initial face-to-face assessment, answering and returning phone calls, assessments because of a change in condition or circumstances that would increase hours and assistance with provider enrollment.

In addition, IHSS and Adult Protective Services social workers should identify and outreach to program recipients who may need additional support during the COVID-19 emergency.  Counties should prioritize recipients who are most at-risk for outreach.  For example, recipients who are over 80 years old, living alone, or do not have an active provider can be prioritized.  Counties will receive funding for these activities.  (ACL 20-30, March 30, 2020.)

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued guidance regarding the need for back-up In Home Supportive Services (IHSS) providers because of COVID-19.  Each county must implement a system in which providers can be quickly assigned to IHSS recipients when their provider can no longer work because of COVID-19.   Counties should work with their public authorities to implement the system.  CDSS will augment IHSS administrative funding to implement the system.  Providers referred to provide emergency back-up services will be paid $2 more per hour than the current county wage rate.  (ACL 20-29, March 30, 2020.)

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued guidance about flexibility available to counties because of COVID-19.  Counties should allow recipients flexibility in assigning weekly service hours to their IHSS providers so that recipients may receive adequate and timely services.  When providers incur overtime violations while performing services that are “in critical need,” CDSS will remove the violations through June 30, 2020.  (Program Manager Letter, March 19, 2020.)