Special Needs

Overview

Special needs are allowed in addition to the maximum need standard and may be authorized only when not available through other resources. Other resources include the client’s available liquid assets and the goods and services offered by other organizations in the community. The deductions that are allowed from gross earned income are considered liquid assets; and must be utilized. A special need cannot be obtained through a public or private organization free of charge. The fact that the special need is not available through other resources must be clearly documented in the case record. Supervisory approval is required prior to payment of a special need. SSPM’s are responsible for assuring that these policies are carried out correctly.

The Special needs in General Assistance fall into two categories: Continuing and One-Time-Only. GA Special Needs are similar to Recurring and Non-recurring in CalWORKs [Refer to "Special Needs" in the CalWORKs HB].

Emergencies Resulting from Sudden and Unusual Circumstances

Applicants/recipients are entitled to receive a nonrecurring special need payment to repair or replace clothing or household equipment; to provide assistance for damages to the home; OR to pay for interim shelter when the client’s home was destroyed or made uninhabitable or inaccessible.

The loss or damage must have been caused by sudden and unusual circumstances beyond the AU's control.

Recurring Special Need Allowances

These allowances are added to the Total Needs in the GA grant computation process. Payment for recurring special needs is limited to:

Special diets, and
Medical transportation.

The payment for special needs is in addition to the maximum aid authorized.

A special diet allowance should be reviewed at every RV. Some, such as diabetic diets, will continue indefinitely while others, such as pregnancy diets, continue only for a specified time.

If a client requires a therapeutic diet other than one of those previously listed, they should be processed as Director’s Exceptions and will be considered on an individual basis. Form “Special Need Requisition” (SCD 414) must be completed. The request should include the physician’s recommendation, approval of the diet plan from the County Medical Consultant, and verification of the coast of the diet plan.

Nonrecurring Special Needs

Nonrecurring special needs known as One-Time-Only Special Need Allowances are those needs unique to a particular individual which are urgent in nature and absolutely essential to maintain health and a minimum of decency.

All Special Needs must be verified of the occurred incident (i.e., fire, police or insurance reports must be obtained).

Nonrecurring special needs are limited to the following areas:

One-time replacement of clothing;
One-time supply of linens or bedding;
Repair/replacement of furniture resulting from a loss due to sudden/unusual circumstances;
Medical care in the home; and
Transportation - should not be confused with the transportation allowances authorized by VSD
which are job or training related.
- Special transportation needs for medical treatment shall be allowed in addition to any maximum basic standard. The applicant/recipient must provide a statement from his/her doctor of the frequency and expected duration of the medical treatment.
- Once special transportation needs are verified and documented in the case record, if the applicant/recipient owns and uses his/her own motor vehicle, or uses someone else's motor vehicle or pays another person for transportation, the following rates shall be observed:
  - The actual cost, OR
  - 7 cents per mile, whichever is less.

Additional limitations exist for the above special needs. [see below policy].

All requests for nonrecurring special needs require program manager approval form “Special Need Requisition” (SCD 414) must be completed for approval.

Example:Example:A GA recipient has a medical emergency and an ambulance is called to transport him/her to a hospital. The recipient must provide the ambulance bill as verification of the expense before the EW can obtain approval for a supplemental payment to be issued as a nonrecurring special need.

[Refer to "Special Needs" in the DEBS BP].

GA Policy for Special Needs

Special Needs GA Policy [289]

Special needs are those needs which are urgent in nature and absolutely essential to maintain health and a minimum level of decency. Payments may be granted by the Agency to cover special needs. These payments are in addition to the maximum aid authorized, when the special needs have been verified and are unavailable from other resources. Special needs due to a catastrophe must not exceed a total of $300.00 per catastrophe. Special needs and payments, are as follows:

Special Diet

Allow the actual cost of a therapeutic diet, (the cost can not to exceed $15.00 per month), when a therapeutic diet has been prescribed by a physician and the diet requires an identifiable additional expense to the recipient.

Restaurant Meals

If the recipient...	Then allow...
Must eat in a restaurant, but is not on a special diet,	The actual cost of restaurant meals, but do not exceed $15.00 per month.
Must eat in a restaurant, has a therapeutic diet prescribed by a physician, and the diet requires an identifiable additional expense,	The actual cost of restaurant meals, not to exceed $30.00 per month.

Reminder: Special allowances for restaurant meals are allowed only if the present living arrangements do not provide or permit cooking facilities; and the living arrangements which provide or permit cooking facilities are currently unavailable in the recipient's community.

Clothing

Allow the actual cost, not to exceed $50.00, for a one-time replacement of basic clothing; but, only if the recipient has been receiving aid for at least three consecutive months.

Linens or Bedding

An initial supply of linens or bedding may be allowed whenever these items are not provided by the current living arrangements. Replacement of linens or bedding may be allowed when there has been a loss due to sudden and unusual circumstances. Items of linens and bedding are limited to:

Sheets: 3 per bed
Blankets: 2 per bed
Pillows: 1 per person
Pillow cases: 2 per pillow

The amount allowed is the actual cost, but can not exceed $50.00.

Household Furniture and Appliances

Repair or replacement (whichever costs less) of household furniture and appliances may be allowed whenever there has been a loss due to sudden and unusual circumstances. The amount allowed is the actual cost, but can not exceed the following amounts:

Stove: $55.00 (plus cost of installation)
Refrigerator: 70.00
Washing Machine: 100.00 (including delivery and installation)
Table and Chairs: 30.00 (including 4 chairs; each additional chair—$5.00)
Crib: 20.00 (including mattress)
Bed: 15.00
Springs: 15.00
Chest of Drawers: 15.00

Care in Home

The cost of care for a recipient in his or her own home may be allowed when such care is:

Needed for more than a month
Due to illness or incapacity
Less costly than hospitalization, nursing home or boarding home care, depending on the level of care needed
Ordered by a doctor and approved by the County Medical Consultant
Required because there is no immediate relative or other available resource which may provide such care.

Transportation

The actual cost of transportation is allowed when transportation is needed for medical treatment and when public transportation is unavailable or unsuitable. The cost is the lowest possible amount which is consistent with the needed transportation, such costs are determined by the Agency.