Plain English Breakdown
The bill specifies additional qualifying circumstances for Medi-Cal (disruptions in providers or infrastructure) but does not list them explicitly in the summary text provided.
Keeping Social Services Active During Emergencies
This law requires state agencies to keep people eligible for social services and health care if they are displaced or affected by a declared emergency.
What This Bill Does
- Requires the State Department of Social Services and Health Care Services to provide continuous eligibility during emergencies.
- Maintains current benefits for at least 90 days after an emergency is declared and through its conclusion.
- Orders counties to immediately restore eligibility without asking for new proof if a person reports being affected by an emergency.
- Treats missed paperwork as having 'good cause' so people do not lose their CalWORKs, CalFresh, CFAP, IHSS, or CAPI benefits during emergencies.
- Allows the state to use automated systems and send notifications to manage these changes.
Who It Names or Affects
- Recipients of CalWORKs, CalFresh, CFAP, IHSS, CAPI, and Medi-Cal programs.
- The State Department of Social Services and the State Department of Health Care Services.
- County agencies that manage eligibility for these social service programs.
Terms To Know
- Continuous Eligibility
- A rule that keeps a person's benefits active without requiring them to reapply or submit new paperwork during an emergency period.
- State of Emergency
- An official declaration made by the Governor regarding a crisis situation like a natural disaster.
- Health Emergency
- An official declaration made by the State Public Health Officer regarding a public health threat.
Limits and Unknowns
- The law only applies if it does not conflict with federal laws.
- Medi-Cal changes depend on receiving approval and funding from the federal government.
- State reimbursement to counties for new costs depends on a determination by the Commission on State Mandates.