COVID-19 IHSS social worker overtime and outreach

Posted on by

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

Posted on by

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

Posted on by

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.)

COVID-19 CDC guidance on responding to people experiencing homelessness

Posted on by

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has issued guidance regarding steps to protect people experiencing homelessness from COVID-19.  CDC recommends partnerships across local sectors including homeless outreach teams, state and local health departments, hospitals and law enforcement.

CDC’s prevention measures are not to clear encampments during community spread of COVID-19 unless individual housing units are available because doing so increases risk of disease spread.  CDC also recommends ensuring restrooms near encampments have functioning water, hand hygiene materials and bath issue, and they remain open 24 hours per day to people experiencing homelessness.  If toilets or handwashing facilities are not available nearby, portable toilets with handwashing facilities should be brought for encampments of more than 10 people.

Persons experiencing unsheltered homelessness with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 should be provided isolation housing.  Behavioral health teams should be involved in the planning for these sites to facilitate access to community support.  If they need to be hospitalized, a discharge plan should be in place.  (CDC COVID-19 Interim Guidance, March 22, 2020.)

COVID-19 changes to IRS practices

Posted on by

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced several changes because of COVID-19.  For taxpayers under an existing installment agreement or an offer and compromise agreement, payments due between April 1 and July 15, 2020 are suspended.  Interest will continue to accrue on unpaid balances.

Taxpayers will have until July 15 to provide requested additional information to support a pending offer and compromise application.

Liens and levies will be suspended until July 15.

New delinquent accounts will not be forwarded to private collection agencies until July 15.

IRS generally will not start new field, office and correspondence examinations.  IRS will continue to work refund claims where possible.  In person meetings are suspended.  Examiners will continue examinations remotely when possible.

Taxpayers have until July 15 to respond to the IRS to verify that they qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit or to verify their income.  Until July 15, the IRS will not deny these credits for failure to provide requested information.  (IR 2020-59, March 25, 2020.)