Homeless Assistance Application

[EAS 44-211.5]

Rule

Any indication that a family is homeless must be treated as a request for HA. The applicant/recipient must complete the “Homeless Assistance Statement of Facts” (CW 42).

Usually the client will call their EW and state: “I'm having a housing problem.” The EW must question the client to determine how they came into this situation; for example, “Tell me what your situation is...” or “How did you come into this situation?” If the response by the client indicates that the AU meets the homeless criteria, the client must be advised to come into the office and complete the CW 42. If the client refuses to come into the office and complete the CW 42, there is no application. The EW must carefully document on the Journal Detail page should this occur.

Action

Upon indication that a family is homeless, the EW must take the following steps:

  1. Have the client complete the CW 42 and thoroughly review with the client the information listed at the top of the form.
  2. Assess the family’s immediate housing needs.
  3. Determine if the family meets the definition of homeless and whether the AU has received HA once within the last 12 months or if they are applying as an exception.
  4. Determine if the AU is eligible or apparently eligible for CalWORKs.
  5. If AU is not eligible for TS, deny the HA request, issuing a HA denial NOA and recording the HA denial in case comments and stop here.
    1. If AU is eligible for TS, continue to Step 6.
  6. Advise the client of the requirement to actively seek from appropriate sources and provide evidence of the search for permanent housing.
  7. Give the client a “Permanent Housing Search Document,” (CW 74).
  8. Review CalSAWS to verify if the client is CWES eligible (active, exempt, or sanctioned status).
  9. Pay TS for seven calendar days as homelessness is verified upon the receipt of the complete CW 42.
  10. Issue the appropriate HA NOA, if HA eligible.

Example Example Mrs. Jones calls her EW on 8/5 to see if the EW can assist her with a housing problem. The EW inquires as to the type of problem. Mrs. Jones states “I have been staying with my sister for the last two months. Her landlord found out and told her I had to move by 8/6 or he would evict her. I already gave my sister my share of the August rent. She used it to pay her rent. I need help in finding a place for me and my baby to stay until I can decide what to do.” The EW must determine if Mrs. Jones is eligible for a HA or meets an exception, if she is seeking permanent housing and if she meets the homeless definition.

Homeless Assistance Payment Indicator (HAPI)

HAPI is accessed through IEVS. HAPI was designed to help prevent duplicate HA payments. All 58 counties are required to enter identifying data on all adults who receive HA.

The following chart must be used to insure that HAPI is accessed and used prior to and after the HA determination is made.

  1. Eligibility Worker (EW) or Designated Clerk
    1. Query the Case Question screen and the HAPI, "Known to Welfare” screen via IEVS for each adult in the AU. The findings are noted on the SC 41 by the clerk, or a copy of the screen obtained for the case record.
  2. EW
    1. Determine if the client has an established 12-month period or meets the criteria for an exception and if the applicant is potentially HA eligible, when HAPI indicates that the applicant has received HA previously.
  3. Designated Clerk
    1. Enter the HA payment information on the HAPI “Add” screen, when the initial HA payment is issued. Enter each adult in the AU into HAPI.
  4. EW
    1. Complete the  Homeless Detail pages to enter HA payment information into the HAPI data base.
  5. EW
    1. Document on the Journal Detail page.
      1. Print the “HAPI” screen.
      2. Image the “HAPI” screen with the other HA documents into the case.
      3. Check MEDS to ensure that the HAPI code took. If this was not successful, follow established procedures to have HAPI entered clerically by the MTO using the SC 1296.

Entering HAPI

The data entered on the Homeless Detail page and the Permanent/Temporary Homeless Detail pages send the appropriate Add transaction to the MEDS network.

Related Topics

Homeless Assistance Program Eligibility

Temporary Shelter

Permanent Homeless Assistance

Homeless Assistance Exceptions

Cal-OAR Measures

Homeless Assistance Payment Information

Homeless Assistance Case Management Concerns

Contract Shelter Providers

Expanded Temporary Homeless Assistance

Questions and Answers Regarding Shared Housing