Health Alliance (HA) Time on Aid (TOA)

Some clients may need long-term treatment for mental health and/or substance abuse problems past the 60 month CalWORKs time limit. HA clinicians should continually check the client’s TOA to assure that ongoing treatment needs are addressed appropriately.

Procedures for Tracking TOA

HA should check TOA while checking WTW at admission and regular intervals thereafter and document remaining TOA in the client’s chart. If there is uncertainty about TOA, the program will contact the client’s EC for help in determining the client’s TOA.

Clients on Medication

Clients who may need psychotropic medications are referred to the agency’s psychiatrist for a Medication Evaluation. If a client is about to run out of TOA (has one year or less left), the clinician will start the process of transitioning the client to a non-HA provider.

If a treatment provider cannot be found by the time the client times out of CalWORKs aid, HA services may be extended for a maximum of three (3) months. This extension exists solely to place the client appropriately and efforts to transition the client to appropriate non-HA services must be the focus during this time and must be documented.

If the HA provider wishes to continue services past the 48-month time limit, the HA provider must request a review for an extension using the Comments Section at the bottom of the SCD 29. Upon the receipt of the SCD 29, requesting an extension, the EC must process the request by following the process detailed in CWES Update 2003-03.