COVID-19 IHSS social worker overtime and outreach

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.)

COVID-19 IHSS back-up providers

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.)

COVID-19 IHSS provider overtime

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.)

IHSS reassessments during COVID-19

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has authorized counties to suspend any scheduled In Home Supportive Services (IHSS) reassessments through June 30, 2020.  However, initial assessments must continue to be done face-to-face. Social workers should try to collect as much information as possible by telephone prior to the assessment to minimize the time spent in the applicant’s home.

Counties may continue to conduct reassessments by phone, but any adverse action shall not take effect until June 30, 2020.

Counties should prioritize activities related to applicants and recipients receiving timely authorization of services.  These activities include initial assessments, requests for reassessment because of change in condition or circumstances (including loss of alternative resources because of COVID-19), enrollment of providers, and answering phone calls from providers and recipients.  (ACL 20-26, March 24, 2020.)

90 day suspension of redeterminations, CalWORKs clock stop, and public meeting requirements

Governor Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order regarding public benefits programs in California.  The executive order suspends otherwise required redeterminations for Medi-Cal, CalWORKs, CalFresh , Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants, California Food Assistance Program, and In Home Supportive Services for 90 days.

The executive order also stops the CalWORKs 48 month time clock through June 17, 2020.  Any month or partial month of CalWORKs received will not be counted toward California’s 48 month time on aid limit.

The Executive Order also suspends any requirement of physical presence in the Brown Act or the Bagley-Keene Act for meetings or local or state bodies.  Meetings of state or local bodies held via teleconference and allowing members of the public to observe and address the meeting shall satisfy any requirement that the body allow members of the public to attend the meeting and offer public comment.

The body must have a procedure for reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities and advertise that procedure in each public meeting notice.  Requirements for notice of the time and agenda for meetings are unchanged, except that the notice of the time of the meeting must also give notice of how the public may observe and comment.  These public meeting provision apply as long as state or local public officials have imposed or recommended social distancing. (Executive Order N-29-20, March 17, 2020.)