 |
| May 19th Propositions Could Impact State Budget |
In February, Governor Schwarzenegger signed into law a new state budget that heavily relied on funds that the state expected to receive from the federal economic stimulus plan, and on borrowing that must be approved by voters. In last month's E-News ( click here), we discussed several programs, including IHSS, that expect to see additional cuts, because the amount of federal stimulus money that the state will be receiving is less than what the budget anticipated.
On May 19th, a special election will be held to vote on several ballot measures that may have additional impacts on the state budget. Sometime after the May 19th election, Governor Schwarzenegger is expected to release a revised budget to address any budget shortfalls that may arise.
Below is general information on each of the measures on the May 19th ballot:
Prop 1A - State Budget. (Changes California Budget Process. Limits State Spending. Increases "Rainy Day" Budget Stabilization Fund.)
If passed, this measure would increase the size of the state's "Rainy Day" fund and would put limits on how the money in the fund is spent. The measure would also give the governor new authority to reduce spending in certain categories without the approval of the legislature. In addition, this measure would extend recently passed tax increases, including sales tax (extended through June 2012), vehicle license fees (extended through June 2013), and personal income tax (extended through 2012). This measure could have a significant impact on future budgeting practices.
Prop 1B - Education Funding.
If passed, this measure would require the state to make $9.3 billion in supplemental payments to K-12 education and community colleges. The required funding will be drawn from a Supplemental Education Payment Account that will only be established if Prop 1A is passed. If Prop 1A does not pass, Prop 1B will not go into effect.
Prop 1C - Lottery Modernization Act.
If passed, this measure would make significant changes to the California Lottery increasing flexibility in how lottery profits are spent and allowing the state to borrow $5 billion from future lottery earnings for fiscal year 2009-2010. It would also allow the state to borrow additional monies in years to come. Lottery profits are currently dedicated to education. This loss of funding would be offset by an increase in educational spending from the State General Fund.
Prop 1D - Children's Services Funding.
If passed, this measure would temporarily redirect a portion of Proposition 10 (First 5 Program) funds to pay for other health and human services programs for children, and would make permanent changes to state and local First 5 commission operations. This would result in a savings of $600 million in the State General Fund for fiscal year 2009-2010.
Prop 1E - Mental Health Services Funding.
If passed, this measure would allow the state to redirect Prop 63 funding (currently limited to programs that expand mental health services) to fund other services such as the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment Program. This would result in a savings of $230 million in the State General Fund.
Prop 1F - Elected Officials' Salaries.
If passed, this measure would prohibit members of the state legislature, the governor, or other constitutional officers from receiving pay increases in years in which there is a running budget deficit.
The impact that these measures will have on the governor's revised budget is uncertain at this time.For more detailed information on the May 19th ballot measures, please visit the Legislative Analyst's Office website at www.lao.ca.gov Back to top |
| Getting Assistance through CalWORKs |
|
The Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) provides many services and programs for low-income families and individuals in L.A. County. Over the next few months, we will highlight several programs established and administered by DPSS that may be beneficial to the IHSS community. This month we will focus on CalWORKs.
Formerly known as Aid to Families and Dependent Children (AFDC), CalWORKs provides temporary cash assistance and employment-focused services to low-income individuals and families (primarily single mothers with minor children). Eligible recipients receive monthly payments to help with housing, food, and other necessary expenses.
In order to be eligible, the family's net monthly income must be less than the Maximum Aid Payment (MAP) for their family size (i.e., the MAP for a family of three is $723). Other requirements are as follows:
- At least one parent must be unemployed, deceased, disabled or absent.
- The principal wage earner in a two-parent family must not be employed more than 100 hours a month at the time of application.
- Children must live with a parent or relative caregiver.
- Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or legal immigrant.
- Applicant's cash on hand is limited to $2,000. If one member of the applicant's family is 60 years or older, the limit is $3,000.
In most instances, adults can only receive 60 months of cash aid through CalWORKs. There is no time limit on cash aid for children.
For more information on how to apply for benefits, go to www.ladpss.org.
|
Do you know any IHSS Consumers who need help finding a homecare worker? We can help!
Tell them to call and sign up with the
PASC Homecare Registry.
877-565-4477 |
| Health Benefits for Your IHSS Worker! |
|
 In 2002, PASC and the United Long-Term Care Workers' Union established the PASC-SEIU Homecare Workers Health Care Plan to provide health coverage for IHSS providers who do not have Medi-Cal or other health insurance. Today there are over 31,000 IHSS providers in L.A. County enrolled in the plan, which is provided through Community Health Plan (CHP).
The premium for the PASC-SEIU Homecare Workers Health Care Plan is $1 per month. A homecare provider may apply for the health plan if he/she:
- Is a current IHSS provider
- Is authorized by the county to work 80 hours or more per month
- Has worked at least 80 hours per month in the past two months and is continuing to work in such an assignment
For questions regarding eligibility or enrollment in the PASC-SEIU Homecare Workers Health Care Plan, call PASC at 877-325-4644.
For questions about the services offered through the health plan, call Community Health Plan at 800-475-5550.
|
| Filling Out a W-4 |
| When you hire a homecare provider, it is your responsibility as an employer to ensure that all the necessary paperwork is completed to enroll your provider in the IHSS system. There are certain forms you should ask your provider clerk to send you, including a Provider Enrollment Agreement that must be completed by both you and your provider, and a W-4 form. The W-4 will make it easier for the government to deduct income taxes from your provider's paycheck. If this form is not filled out, your provider will have to pay the IRS the total amount of taxes due for the previous year on April 15th.
When completing the W-4, it is the provider's responsibility to make sure their personal information is filled out correctly (boxes 1 through 4) and to sign and date the form. The provider should also complete the allowances and witholdings section (boxes 5 thourgh 7). There is a worksheet on the back of the W-4 form to assist with calculating how many allowances they can claim.
As the employer, you should make sure that your name and address are filled out correctly (box 8) and enter your employer identification number (box 10). The employer identification number is a special number assigned to each consumer. If you don't know your number, please leave it blank. The IHSS provider clerk will fill in that number for you at a later time.
If your provider has any questions about how many allowances or witholdings to put down, he/she can ask an accountant or contact the IRS at 800-829-1040.
Back to top |
Do you have questions about PASC and the IHSS Program? Do you have suggestions for topics to be covered in the PASC E-News? Send your questions and suggestions to e-news@pascla.org. PASC E-News is designed for you to get the information you need! Note: If you do not wish to receive future editions or would like to update your profile with us, please scroll down to the bottom of this message and click on either " SafeUnsubscribe" or " Update Profile/Email Address". |
| Upcoming Trainings and Events
Click on event for more information |
Lifting and Transferring Training (L.A.) - May 14th: Learn the basics of body mechanics, muscle use, and posture that will help you assist consumers with moving in and out of bed, transferring into and out of wheelchairs, using mechanical lifts, transferring into and positioning in bed, and using slider boards.
For information on additional events, please visit the Calendar section of our website at www.pascla.org. |
Legislation Watch
Click on bill for more information |
AB 378 (Cook) - IHSS Provider Training: If passed, this bill would require public authorities to develop and implement training standards for IHSS providers throughout the state.
SB 246 (Benoit) - Background Checks for IHSS Providers: If passed, this bill would require public authorities to add all IHSS providers to their registries, and to conduct criminal background investigations (CBIs) on all IHSS providers through the California State Department of Justice. The bill would also require that each provider pay at least a portion of the cost of the CBI.
AB 452 (Yamada) - The California Independence Act of 2009: If passed, this bill would allow individuals who are not eligible for IHSS to receive provider referrals through public authority registries for a fee set by each county. Public authority participation in this program would be voluntary.
SB 141 (Maldonado) - IHSS Provider Timesheets: If passed, this bill would require IHSS timesheets, which are signed by the recipient and the provider of services, to contain a legal certification statement. A person who knowingly provides false information would be subject to a civil penalty, of between $2,500 and $25,000.
SB 791 (Yee) - IHSS County Responsibilities: If passed, this bill would establishes that public authorities are the employer of IHSS workers for the purpose of workers' receiving health care benefits available through the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) and the federal Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
HR 1670 (Davis - IL) - Community Choice Act of 2009: If passed, this federal bill would amend Title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide individuals with disabilities and older Americans with equal access to community-based attendant services and support, and for other purposes. Back to top 
| |
|
|
|
|
