Momentum for Health

In 2007, Alliance for Community Care was re-branded to Momentum for Mental Health, and since 2020 has been known as Momentum for Health.

Momentum for Health has over 15 residential, outpatient, and housing sites throughout Santa Clara County with headquarters located at 1922 The Alameda, San Jose, CA. Clients can call (408) 260-4040 to access services or they can call 988 if they are experiencing a mental health emergency.

Current programs under Momentum for Health can be found through the 'Services' section of their website: https://momentumforhealth.org/services/

Application Process

Confidentiality

Social Services Agency (SSA) staff are authorized to release information to Momentum staff regarding an individual’s GA eligibility; and Momentum staff are authorized to release information to SSA staff.

Responsibilities of Momentum Staff

Staff at the authorized facilities will submit the following completed forms to the GA Receptionist for each applicant that may be potentially eligible for GA:

“Identification and Intake Record” (SCD 41).
“Application For Cash Aid, CalFresh, And/Or Medi-Cal/Health Care Programs” (SAWS 2 Plus).
“Application for General Assistance” (GA 1) and cover letter.

The above forms must be submitted even though the case may already be in an active status.

SSA will provide the authorized facilities with all the necessary application forms.

Responsibilities of Eligibility Staff

If there is NOT an open GA case, then the Intake EW will process the application according to the regular intake processes.

If there is an open GA case, then the Continuing EW is responsible to take the appropriate action, including but not limited to the following:

Refer the client to Social Security to apply for SSI using the SCD 169.
Complete all appropriate entries in CalSAWS, and
Send the appropriate Approval NOA to notify the RCH facility of the GA need standard.

If the applicant is serving a sanction and was hospitalized or was a resident in a Mental Rehabilitation facility, at the time of the noncooperation with VS, the sanction will be rescinded. The rescission MUST be cleared through VS.

Responsibilities of Applicant

All applicants who are in an authorized facility will be required to apply for SSI (Refer to IAR chapter). Staff at the facility will help the applicant/recipient with the
different steps in the process.

If potential eligibility exists, applicants who are in an authorized facility are required to apply for SDI or any other benefit to which they may
be entitled to receive. A denial letter is required as verification that the applicant has applied for all benefits that he or she may be eligible for.

Identification

A cover letter from the Mental Rehabilitation program is acceptable evidence of a client's identity. This cover letter MUST include height, weight, hair color, eye color,
Social Security number and date of birth. A copy of the applicant's Social Security card or completed MC 194 is required.

Residence

Applicants who are currently residing in an authorized facility are considered to be residents of Santa Clara County UNLESS, prior to their admission, they resided in another county, and the SOLE reason for their presence in Santa Clara County is for participation in that program. If the applicant/recipient was hospitalized prior to his/her admission to the facility, and if prior to his/her hospitalization his/her residence was in another county, he/she is NOT considered to be a resident of Santa Clara County.

Note: The applicant's statement regarding the above, in conjunction with his/her presence in the facility, will be acceptable evidence of Santa Clara County residence.

Citizenship/Noncitizen

The same regulations to any other applicant/recipient apply. Refer to Citizens/Noncitizens chapter.

Property

Personal Property

If the applicant has net personal property which exceeds the $500 limit, he/she must be responsible for payment to the RCH facility. Verification indicating that payment has been made to the RCH facility, and that applicant’s property is within the necessary limits is required.

Note: If the applicant pays his/her own bill, then the GA payment starts, the day after the time period covered by the applicant's payment (provided the applicant is otherwise eligible). The “Application for General Assistance” (GA 1) date is the application date.

Real Property

Same requirements apply. Refer to Property chapter.

Income

Staff at the facility will provide SSA with a written statement if it is believed that there is no income (as stated by the applicant). If there is no evidence to the contrary, that statement will be acceptable.

If the exact amount of income cannot be verified, and it has been requested by the staff at the mental rehabilitation facility, then a “very high” estimate can be used for the initial determination of eligibility.

Note: The EW must use prudent judgment when calculating the estimated income.

Income Reports

Income reports are to be completed by each resident of an RCH facility. If income reports are completed (either partially or totally) by a staff person at the facility; BOTH the staff person and the client MUST sign the income report. Refer to SAR 7 chapter.

Employability Status

Unless specifically modified in this section, all applicants/recipients residing at an authorized mental rehabilitation facility, will be processed following the standard GA program procedures.

A good cause determination is not necessary if an applicant quit a job within 30 days of the application due to medical, mental or emotional problems. Good cause exists and written verification is not required.

Need Standards

For the authorized RCH facilities, the maximum GA grant amount is the standard listed in the Chart Book. Of this amount, the majority is for care and supervision and a standard amount is to meet the recipient’s personal needs. If the recipient is in the facility for less than a full month, the care and supervision rate and the personal needs are prorated based on the number of days the client is in the facility. [Refer to "Needs Standards" in the General Assistance Charts chapter].

[Refer to "RCH Payments" in the DEBS BP].

Change in Residence

Recipients must notify the EW of their change in residence within 10 business days.

Transfer Between Authorized Facilities

If a recipient transfers between authorized facilities, the RCH facility staff person will inform the EW via a telephone call, and the information must also be reported on the SAR 7.

Recipient Leaves Authorized Facility — GA Discontinued

When a recipient leaves an authorized facility and there is NO contact from the client, the EW MUST discontinue the case. A ten (10) day notice is NOT required, however, an appropriate Notice of Action must be sent or Notice for “Loss of Contact/Whereabouts Unknown” (GA 098).

Recipient Leaves Authorized Facility — GA Continues

When a recipient leaves an authorized facility and contacts the EW, the EW updates the recipient’s case and establishes a change in aid-code in CalSAWS.

Ensure the GA grant amount is accurate based on GA need standards.
Subtract any personal needs money already issued for the current month;
Prorate the balance from the date the client first notifies the EW of a new address. (If independent living is arranged with EW prior to leaving rehabilitation facility, the GA grant will be prorated from the day after discharge).

Note: Proper identification is necessary for any recipient leaving an authorized facility (refer to Identification chapter). If identification, as listed in Section 10 is not available, the RCH cover letter will be considered an acceptable form of identification.