After years of work and development by the NOA workgroup (of which LSNC has been a part), DHCS released a letter to remind counties of what is required in a NOA relating to Medi-Cal eligibility. It summarizes the relevant federal and state regulations and delineates what actions are not considered adverse actions for purposes of the timing of the notice. The letter, available here, further provides guidance on font size and language access requirements.
Summaries of select CalWORKs, CalFresh, Health and Housing Regulations
DHCS ACWDL 13-12: Revised Other Health Reporting Coverage Reporting and Correction Procedures
This letter clarifies the procedures counties must take to add or remove Other Health Coverage (OHC) codes from a Medi-Cal case. Counties are able to temporarily remove these codes in immediate need cases but to make the change permanent, must send a request to the state online. The letter details the circumstances in which the addition or removal of an OHC code is appropriate. Click here to view the letter.
ACIN I-09-13: AB 2488; Adoption: Sibling Mutual Consent Program – Confidential Intermediary (5/21/13)
This may only make sense in the world of welfare. AB 2488 permit adoptees and siblings greater opportunities to initiate and make contact with each other. Implementation of this program was suspended until July 1, 2012, but the legislative intent was that implementation of some or all of the changes made to Section 9205 of the Family Code “shall continue, to the extent possible.” So, July 1, 2012 has come and gone almost a year. What now brown cow? This ACIN states: “that commencing July 1, 2012, it is still the intent of the Legislature that this program “shall continue, to the extent possible” and lists a funding source. [Download]
ACL 13-40: State Hearings Division Procedures In Processing Expedited State Hearing Requests (5/20/13)
At long last, the state hearing instructions on how to get an expedited hearing, and what they cover, is given it’s own ACL for increased “finadability.” (The letter had been on the state hearing website, but buried in the “About Hearings” section.) The letter includes a list of issues appropriate for Expedited Hearings, and “any other issue of urgency that the CDSS/SHD deems necessary.” [Download]
ACL 13-13: Monthly Caseworker Visits With Children (5/15/13)
Info for the counties regarding the changes made to the Caseworker Visit mandate as a result of the federal Child and Family Services Improvement and Innovation Act ( Attachment A to the letter). Also gives an update on the progress of the state’s performance in meeting the Child and Family Services Act caseworker visit mandate . Lastly, revisions to Division 31 to replace the visit measures. [Download]
ACL 13-37: CalWORKs Second Set Of WTW 24-Month Time Clock Q & A’s And Associated WDTIP Tracking Impact Codes (5/9/13)
For all those doing Welfare to Work, another key letter explaining the new 24 month time clock. For counties, new WDTIP codes, too.
Of key interest:
- Impact on 24 mtc of 2nd parent (excused) volunteering
- Q #5 on 30% federal cap on voc ed (“As a result, the federal 30 percent limit will have no effect on the number of clients who may engage in education before and after the expiration of their WTW 24-Month Time Clock.”)
- Stopping the clock when amending the WTW plan
- No sanction for any hours assigned above 20/30/35 a week (“clients may not be subject to sanction for failing to participate any number of hours beyond the required 20, 30, or 35 hours per week for WTW participation, even though additional hours may be written into the client’s WTW plan.”)
[Download]