Screening of All FC Children and NMDs Prior to Aging-Out of FC

AB 1331, AB 1633, WIC 13753, WIC 13757

AB 1633 requires counties to take certain actions on behalf of FC children or youths who are receiving SSI prior to aging-out of FC with the goal of ensuring that these young adults maintain their eligibility for SSI benefits.

Counties are required to:

Provide information to young adults regarding the federal requirement to establish continuing disability as an adult,
Provide information to the young adults regarding the process for becoming his/her own payee, or designating an appropriate ARP, and
Assist the young adults, as appropriate, in both of the above requirements.

Additionally, AB 1331 requires counties to:

Screen all youth who are in FC beginning at the ages of 16.5 and continuing while in the EFC Program for a physical or mental disability,
Submit an SSI application on behalf of those youth who are determined likely eligible for benefits.

Screening

All FC cases must be screened annually at RRR when a youth is 16.5 or older but under 21. The screening process must be coordinated with the youth’s expected date of dismissal of court dependency or aging out of foster care. The youth approved for SSI may have their benefits suspended for up to 12 months. The reason for suspending benefits is to allow the youth to receive a larger federal FC grant for their current placement. Once a youth has dependency dismissed or ages out from the Foster Care System and is no longer eligible for FC the SSI grant will be made available.

Screening must also be completed for children or youth placed with NRLG. Screening does not require court dependency; any youth receiving AFDC-FC funding must be screened for an SSI evaluation 16.5 or older but under 21. However, if the child or youth has a LG and not a dependent of the court or a ward, the SWC must assist the LG in filing for RSDI/SSI benefits to allow the LG to become the ARP if benefits are approved.

In order to eliminate duplicate applications, every youth over the age of 16.5 (including NMDs) must be screened by a SW/PO but the final determination to submit the application is made by the SWC.

Note: It is the County’s responsibility to contact the SSA to have the suspended benefits reinstated once the young adult ages-out of FC or dependency is terminated.

Rescreening

Children who were initially screened but not referred for an SSI application should be rescreened at least annually when they reach 16.5 or older or whenever there is a change in circumstances that lead to a change in physical and/or emotional conditions which might make the child potentially eligible for SSI. Children or youth applications that were deferred due to lack of citizenship or qualified immigrant status must be rescreened when the status is granted.

Applications Submitted For Federally Eligible Children or NMDs

In order to submit an application for SSI the youth must not be in receipt of federal foster care. Therefore, all federally eligible cases must have their aid code changed to a non-federal aid code for one month to allow the submission of the SSI application. The aid code must then be immediately changed back to federal beginning the first day of the following month.

Note: For instructions refer to revised BEnDS 2009-3.

Process

The review process begins at the annual RRR, CalSAWS flags and the SSA Advocacy Application were added for tracking (Additional Tools):

SW/PO
1. Screens the case using the state form “SSI Screening Guide, Section A - Disability Screening” (FC 1633A). The FC 1633A is included with RRR documents.
FC EW
1. Receives the RRR documents and reviews the FC 1633A.
2. If the child’s screening is determined to be potentially eligible for SSI,
  1. Completes the state form “SSI Screening Guide, Section B - Financial Eligibility” (FC 1633B).
  2. Refers the FC 1633B to the SWC for a detailed review.
    1. A copy of the FC 1633A and FC 1633B must be forwarded along with the form "Referral for SSI Review" (SCD 1633)
      1. Note: The SCD 1633 will serve as a tracking sheet and checklist to complete the process.
  3. Documents in the CalSAWS journal and enters the flag “FC Potential SSI Child” in CalSAWS.
  4. Sends copies to imaging.
SWC
1. Receives the referral and reviews the case.
2. Determine if the child meets all the criteria for SSI eligibility.
3. Documents the decision on the SCD 1633.
4. Returns the SCD 1633 to the assigned FC EW with further instructions and supporting documentation, including the “SSI Screening Guide Section C - Application Information” (FC 1633C) with the decision.
5. When requested, assists the NRLGs in completing the SSA-11-BK.
  1. Note: When no response is received from the assigned SW/PO, follows the SSI Application Escalation Process.

Return of the SCD 1633 to the FC EW

SWC Decision	FC EW
The child is potentially eligible but it is not in the child's best interest to apply at this time. This case will be reevaluated at the next RRR due date. No additional action is necessary at this time. Updates SSI Advocacy Application.	Files SCD 1633 and signed FC 1633C in imaging. Adds appropriate flag. Enters detailed CalSAWS journal.
The child is not SSI eligible at this time. Update the flag “FC Not SSI Child.” Updates SSI Advocacy Application.	Files SCD 1633 and signed FC 1633C in imaging. Enters detailed CalSAWS journal.
The case is potentially eligible. Updates SSI Advocacy Application.	Files SCD 1633 and signed FC 1633C. Returns copy of SCD 1633 to SSI SW Coordinator with completion date. Enters detailed CalSAWS journal.

Final SSI SW Coordinator Response

If an application is submitted, the case will be tracked using the CalSAWS flags and the SSI Advocacy Application updated by the SWC. The application may take months to be evaluated by SSA. Once a response is received the SWC will communicate the final decision to the FC EW via the SCD 1633. SWC will notify the assigned FC EW when it is necessary the renew the SSI eligibility. One of the following actions will be required:

SWC	FC EW
SSI has been approved. Benefits are being suspended because the child or youth is under 16.5. Updates flag to “FC SSI Approved.” Updates SSI Advocacy Application.	Sends SCD 1633 to imaging. Enters detailed CalSAWS journal.
SSI has been denied. Updates SSI Advocacy Application.	Files SCD 1633 in imaging. Enters detailed CalSAWS journal.
SSI has been approved and the benefits were suspended for one year. The SSI benefits must be renewed every year. For federally eligible youths the benefits must be changed one month prior to the renewal date. Sends a task or sends an e-mail to the assigned FC EW to have the aid code changed to Non-Federal for one month. Updates SSI Advocacy Application	Files the request in imaging. Completes the process outlined in BEnDS 2009-3. Enters detailed CalSAWS journal.

SSI Initial Application and Potentially Eligible Escalation Process

SWC
1. Submits the initial SSI Application and the SSI Screening Guide (FC 1633) to the assigned SW/PO. When the assigned SW/PO does not respond after the following process must occur:
  1. If No Response After 30 working days for initial Application, or After 5, working days for the FC 1633,
    1. Sends an E-mail to the SW and SWS or PO and POS (currently Jill.Ugalde@pro.sccgov.org)
    2. Include in the subject line:
      1. “FC SSI Potential SSI Child” or “FC Packet Submitted to SW”,
      2. The due date.
  2. If No Response 15 days after sending the first e-mail for the initial application, or 10 days after sending the FC 1633,
    1. Sends a 2nd e-mail to the DFCS Resolution (DFCS only) in-box, or
    2. Sends a 2nd e-mail to PO and Jill.Ugalde@pro.sccgov.org,
    3. Includes “Urgent SSI Potential Child Request is due” and “FC Packet Submitted to SW is due” in Subject Line,
    4. Includes all previous e-mails,
    5. Includes the FC SSPM, DFCS SSPM IIIs names on the CC line of the e-mail (for SW cases only).

Required Forms

The state has provided four forms to assist in the SSI screening. The County has created one additional form to assist in the tracking process which needs to occur to complete the review. The forms are available online. There must be a copy of all the forms used during the review on file in IDM (F2 top).

Form	Form Name	Description
SCD 1633	Referral for SSI Review	This is a county developed form to assist in the coordination of the necessary processes that need to occur during the SSI review. It also serves as a reminder of the required flags that must be entered into CalSAWS.
FC 1633A	SSI Screening Guide Section A - Disability Screening	This is the initial screening tool used by the SW/PO. A copy must be forwarded to the FC EW and filed in imaging.
FC 1633B	SSI Screening Guide Section B - Financial Screening	This form is to be completed by the FC EW only when a referral is necessary. The information on this form will help determine if it is beneficial for the child to apply for SSI. A copy of this form must be filed in imaging.
FC 1633C	SSI Screening Guide Section C - Application Information	This form is completed by the SWC once the case has been evaluated. A copy of this form must be returned to the FC EW and filed in imaging.
FC 1633D	SSI Assessment Tool	This form is used only by the SWC once a case has been determined to be potentially eligible for SSI. This form assists in the gathering of necessary information and the determination if the application should be “Fast Tracked.”