Social Security protective filing tool

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The Social Security Administration (SSA) has implemented its Online Protective Filing Too.   It allows submitting a request for an appointment to file for benefits and record a protective filing date online.  A protective filing date is established upon submission from the Tool.  The Tool collects responses to initial screening questions, determines applicable Title II and Title XVI claim types, and establishes Title II and Title XVI protective filing dates.  The individual must complete all required fields and submit the inquiry to establish a protective filing date.

The Tool gives a confirmation message onscreen and sends an email confirmation that Social Security will schedule an appointment within 7-14 business days.

The Tool is located at https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/ssi/start.html.

(EM-22015, March 19, 2022.)

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COVID-19 CalFresh emergency allotment for March, 2022

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California has been approved to issue an emergency allotment of CalFresh for March, 2022.  All households will receive at least the maximum CalFresh allotment.  Households eligible to receive the maximum allowable allotment based on household size are now eligible to receive an emergency allotment of $95 per month. Households who are not eligible to receive the maximum allowable allotment based on household size, but whose emergency allotment would be less than $95 per month to receive the maximum allotment, will receive additional CalFresh benefits to raise their emergency allotment to the $95 minimum.

The emergency allotment will be issued on April 17, 2022.

Moving forward, emergency allotments may be approved by FNS on a month-to-month basis until the Secretary of Health and Human Services rescinds the public health emergency.  There will be a one-month phase out of emergency allotments after the public health emergency is rescinded.  (ACWDL, March 21, 2022.)

CalFresh electronic signature requirements

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The California Department of Social Services has issued instructions implementing Welfare and Institutions Code section 18900.4.  This section requires counties to give CalFresh households the option to complete an application and recertification by telephone and capture their signature by an electronic method, such as a telephone signature.  The electronic signature method must require the client to take an affirmative action to indicate concurrence, such as a PIN number or giving verbal affirmation; the record of the signature must be maintained electronically and linked to the documents; and the process must constitute a legal signature.

In addition, federal law requires the county to make an audio recording of the household’s verbal assent and a summary of the information to which the household assents; the audio file must be linked to the application; and the county must provide the household with a printed copy of the application with instructions for how to correct any errors or omissions.  (ACL 22-20, March 4, 2022.)

EBT card CVV enablement and card replacement

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The California Department of Social Services is activating Card Verification Value (CVV) on Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards.  CVV is an is an additional layer of coding embedded in the magnetic stripe on the back of the EBT card and not visible to clients.  It is the three-digit code on the back of credit cards.  However, unlike the CVV number on most credit or debit cards, the EBT CVV number is not printed on the EBT card.

All cards issued by the EBT vendor after June, 2018, and all cards printed at the county welfare department since October, 2019, have the CVV embedded.  Cardholders with EBT cards printed before those dates will need a replacement card.  This is about 911,000 replacement cards.  New cards were mailed from mid-February to mid-March, 2022.  The mailing has instructions for activating the new cards.

The CVV technology will be enabled in late April, 2022.  Cards that do not have the CVV will not work after the CVV technology is activated.  If cardholders have issues with not receiving new cards or with activation of new cards, cardholders need to contact the EBT vendor.  Counties will refer callers to the EBT Customer Service Center.  Counties should follow the current card replacement process if a customer did not receive their new card or otherwise needs a replacement card.  (ACWDL, March 17, 2022.)

Eligibility for Waiver Personal Care Services

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The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has provided information regarding Medi-Cal Home and Community Based Alternative (HCBA) Waiver through the Waiver Personal Care Services (WPCS) program. CDSS also clarifies new roles that the counties must adhere to regarding information sharing and referrals through the waiver program.

The HCBA Waiver provides care management assistance to people at risk for institutional or nursing home placement. With HCBA, a multidisciplinary team of registered nurses and social workers provide care management services to waiver beneficiaries. The waiver covers direct and indirect care services, including WPCS. Under the HCBA waiver, recipients may get up to 24 hours of direct care. The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) administers the HCBA waiver program by contacting the HCBA Waiver agencies.

HCBA Waiver Services include:

  •     Private home health services/nursing
  •     Case management
  •     Habilitation
  •     Home and Family respite
  •     Community transition services
  •     Environmental accessibility adaptations
  •     Waiver Personal Care Services (WPCS) 

County In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Staff must:

-Notify DHCS/Waiver Agency staff of services hours approved by the recipient, and

-Determine eligibility for IHSS hours for those not authorized for WPCS services.

County staff must also share case file information to help DHCS/Waiver Agencies determine the number of WPCS hours to approve. County staff may request that the Waiver Agency supplies a list of mutual recipients in their county.

To be considered for the Waiver Personal Care Services Program candidates apply for enrollment in the HCBA waiver. A receipt will be sent for the candidate’s application. Then a representative from DHCS or relevant HCBA waiver agency will schedule a first in-home assessment to see if the candidate qualifies. Individuals must be currently receiving IHSS and have a maximum of 283 IHSS hours to be eligible for WPCS for specific tasks not covered by IHSS hours.

County IHSS staff will assess the recipient annually to determine IHSS service needs. This reassessment must include updating DHCS/Waiver Agency staff regarding any changes in services to the recipient.  (ACL 21-154, December 30, 2021.)

 

CalWORKs questions and answers regarding changes to semi-annual reporting and annual recertification

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The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued questions and answers regarding changes to the semi-annual reporting and annual recertification processes. CalWORKs assistance units may now provide information about income received during the 30 days prior to submitting the annual recertification.  Counties must determine the relevant period based on when the household or assistance unit submits their annual recertification or when the county sends a CW 2200 Request for Verification form.  If the assistance unit reports income and provides verification for a 30 day period, and that income is reasonably anticipated to continue, the county can use the information provided.  A paystub outside of the 30 day period is sufficient if it represents reasonably anticipated income.

Semi-annual reports (SAR 7) no longer must be signed no earlier than the first of the month to be considered complete.  The SAR 7 is now considered complete if the form is signed and dated by persons specified by CDSS, all questions and items are fully answered, and all required verification is provided, regardless of the date the it is signed.  If the signature and/or date is missing, then the SAR 7 is incomplete.  The date can be captured via electronic signature, or, if the county does not have electronic signature capability, by verbal attestation.

Automated calls can meet the personal contact for late or incomplete SAR 7 as long as the call provides information that leads to a worker, call center or provides a phone number that the recipient can call for assistance.  If the assistance unit does not have a working phone number, the county can use email or text if the client previously gave consent for electronic communication.  If that is unsuccessful, then the county must mail a written reminder no later than five days prior to the last calendar day of the submit month.  The county must document in the case record that it made an attempt to contact and collect information necessary for the report.

The policy for third party verification remains unchanged.  Counties can use information from The Work Number in the same manner as information provided by an employer.  (ACIN I-21-22, March 4, 2022.)