CalWORKs SSI Advocacy Program

Overview

Some of our clients may find it difficult to become self-sufficient due to disabilities or multiple barriers. Our agency is engaged in efforts to find other types of assistance for these clients. For those clients who have long-term disabilities, the next step for assistance may be SSI/SSP hereinafter referred to SSI. Because the application and approval process for SSI can be very complex and involve a lengthy time period (up to 2 years or more), our agency has incorporated a process through the CalWORKs SW for advocating on behalf of CalWORKs clients to obtain SSI benefits.

SSI Advocacy

The CalWORKs SW takes the lead in advocating for the client’s application for SSI by assisting them until SSI is approved. The SWs utilize intervention and assistance in order to:

• Help clients follow through with the SSI application process.
• Secure additional and more precise medical and/or psychiatric information.
• Provide representation at the initial stages of the SSI process.

Advocacy Services Provided

Assessment Services

To aid the client in the SSI application process the following services are provided:

• Education abilities,
• Employment and medical history,
• Agency history, and
• Criminal and institutional history.

Other Services

SWs also conduct third-party interviews to gather information and:

• Prepare correspondence for the client.
• Prepare case for transition to attorneys.
• Furnish legal referrals and referrals to other resources.

Agency Collaboration

Full collaboration between the EW and the EC is needed to assist the SW in completing the SSI application process. As part of this process, the SW will contact the EC and the EW to obtain additional information to support the client’s disability and observations.

The SW will contact the:

• EC via email and
• EW via TMT assignment.

Referrals

At this time, EWs or ECs are not to refer clients to CalWORKs SSI Advocacy. All referrals for this program are initiated from the “Centralized Exemptions List.” Referrals are initiated by the CWES CEW or through management exception. Clients who meet the referral criteria are referred by the CEW.

Referral Criteria

A CalWORKs client who meets the following referral criteria is referred to CalWORKs SSI Advocacy:

• Has a medical exemption for the past 24 months and the disability is permanent or is expected to continue for 12 months,
• Has a medically verifiable disability for the past 24 months and the disability is permanent or is expected to continue for 12 months, or
• Has a current medically verifiable disability that is permanent or is expected to last for 12 months and the client has a 24-month history of non-participation that may be attributed to a medical problem.

Reminder: Referrals are only initiated for CalWORKs individuals who are exempt. Referrals are not to be initiated for disabled individuals for whom care is required in the home.