COVID-19 changes to Stage 1 child care attendance and reporting requirements

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The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued guidance regarding changes to attendance and reporting requirements because of COVID-19.  These changes were enacted by SB 117 which waives specific attendance and reporting requirements for CalWORKs Stage 1 child care.  CDSS also waives these requirements for Emergency Child Care Bridge Program for Foster Children.  This waiver will remain in effect until June 30, 2020 unless changed by the legislature.

Providers who are closed because of COVID-19 and are not able to submit their monthly attendance record or invoice shall be reimbursed based on the total certified authorizations, either part-time or full-time.  License-exempt providers shall also be reimbursed based on the maximum authorized hours of care.

Contractors that have closed because of COVID-19 may be reimbursed for up to 30 days after closure.  Providers that remain open shall submit attendance records or invoices based on current reporting policy.  Providers may submit an invoice or attendance record without the parent signature if the parent is unavailable to sign because of COVID-19.  Regardless of attendance, these providers shall be reimbursed based on child-care authorizations.

Families who need services but whose usual provider is closed can select an alternative provider that will be paid. Alternate providers shall be paid even when the regular provider has a paid day of non-operation.  (All County Welfare Directors Letter, March 19, 2020.)

The California Department of Education states that same policies apply to Stage 2 and Stage 3 providers.  (Management Bulletin 20-04, March 18, 2020.)

COVID-19 temporary waiver of family child care fees

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Effective April 1, 2020 for April, May, and June, 2020, all family fees for California Department of Education child care programs are waived.  Contractors must suspend collecting any family fees as of April 1, 2020 and must notify families that fees for April, May and June are waived.  Alternative Payment contractors that require providers to collect family fees directly must direct providers to suspend collecting these fees.

Contractors that are continuing to certify or recertify while family fees are waived shall continue to calculate the appropriate family fee and state the fee on the Notice of Action.  The Notice must also state that the fee is waived for April, May and June.

For families that have a delinquent family fee plan, contractors shall place the plan on hold for April, May and June.  Families must not be terminated because of outstanding fees owed during this time.  Delinquent family fee plans will resume in July, 2020.  Family fees waived for April, May and June shall not be included in the delinquent fee plan.  (Management Bulletin 20-05, March, 2020.)

VA mortgage special relief for COVID-19

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The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has issued information regarding special relief for COVID-19.  VA will conduct meetings by telephone with persons for people with symptoms of or exposed to COVID-19.

VA encourages holders or guaranteed loans to extend forbearance to borrowers in distress because of COVID-19. VA encourages waiving late charges on affected loans.  Servicers are encouraged to suspend credit reporting on affected loans.  (Circular 26-20-7, March 16, 2020.)

VA request for foreclosure moratorium

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The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) strongly encourages loan holders to establish a 60 day moratorium beginning on March 18, 2020 on completing foreclosures or initiating new foreclosures on loans.  VA regulations allow additional interest in a guarantee claim when termination is delayed by VA requested forbearance.

Loan holders should consider the impact of completing an eviction action when choosing to retain a property instead of conveying to VA.  VA requests holders not expose Veterans and their families to additional risk through an eviction action.  (Circular 26-20-8, March 18, 2020.)

IHSS reassessments during COVID-19

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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.)

Changes to CAPI procedures because of COVID-19

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The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has announced temporary changes to the Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) because of COVID-19.  Until further notice, the CAPI face-to-face interview requirement is waived for CAPI initial applications.  Counties and CAPI consortia must accept CAPI applications by mail and telephone.  For telephone applications, county stall must read each question on the CAPI Statement of Facts and Statement of Household Expenses and Contributions to the applicant in their preferred language, using an interpreter as necessary and record the answers.  Counties and CAPI consortia can also complete the application process by videoconference.

For telephone applications, the county shall ask the applicant’s permission to sign the application as a proxy for the applicant to preserve the protected application date.  If the applicant refuses, the forms must be mailed to the county, and the protected application date is the date the county receives the signed application.  The Interim Assistance Reimbursement Form must be mailed to the applicant for signature.

For applications taken by phone or video, the country must determine eligibility without waiting for signed forms or requested verification.

CAPI redeterminations are suspended until June 16, 2020.  Counties are not required to go back and conduct redeterminations for individuals whose redermination period falls between March 18, 2020 and June 16, 2020.

Counties and CAPI consortia must continue to require CAPI applicants and recipients who are qualified aliens to apply for SSI, and should direct them to telephone their local Social Security office.  The Social Security Administration has agreed to transmit SSI denials letters to counties by email.  (Program Manager Letter, March 20, 2020.)