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Burial Expense Payments
Policy
MPP Section 11-402.2, WIC 11212, 11401, 11461.3
When a foster parent wishes to arrange a funeral other than as provided by the county, the county may reimburse the caregiver for burial/funeral costs up to the current state rate (refer to SCD 2405 or Foster Care Charts).
Payment of the claim shall be made under the following circumstances:
- The youth was receiving foster care (i.e., in an out-of-home care placement) at the time of death.
- Direct payment of the claim to the funeral home will be made at the request of the caregiver or when the death of the youth is due to the caregiver’s alleged criminal negligence or other alleged criminal actions.
The burial expense is a non-recurring special need and must be processed as soon as all necessary documentation (forms, receipts, invoices, etc.) is received.
Kin-GAP
Kinship-Guardianship Assistance Payment Program cases are also eligible for the burial/funeral expense payment as long as the child/youth was receiving Kin-GAP benefits at the time of death. The policy above also applies. The Kin-GAP expense rate differs from the FC rate (refer to SCD 2405 or Foster Care Charts).
Documentation
The Social Worker (SW) or Probation Officer (PO) must provide an invoice or document that details the costs of services/products. Refer to the EW Tools Folder for sample documentation.
Payment Process
For FC and Kin-GAP cases within the Department of Family and Children’s Services (DFCS), the request to FC Eligibility will be made by the SW via the Director’s Exception process using the DFCS Request- Burial Expenses form (SCZ 414Z). However, the payment will be issued using the case aid code. For Juvenile Probation Department (JPD) cases, the PO will initiate the request for FC Eligibility via email, and the payment will also be issued using the case aid code.
Once all forms and documentation are received, with all required signatures, the payment is scheduled via the Needs List page in CalSAWS. In the Type drop-down list, workers will choose "Burial" and enter the case aid code. The funeral home must first be added to the CalSAWS Resource Data Bank as a "Provider."
Important: When a youth is ineligible for burial expenses (e.g., not receiving services/benefits at the time of death), county-only funding may be used (aid code 45). Refer to the Director's Exception process for JPD cases.
Upon request by the SW or PO, the check or warrant may be made available for “Office Pickup.” All requests for Burial Expenses must be documented in a CalSAWS Journal. The documentation must include the payee, the amount, the documentation received, and the assigned SW/PO that received the check or warrant.
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