skip to main content

California

These resources – like the public health crisis itself – are constantly evolving and are only current as to the date of publication. This page was last updated on September 25, 2020.

For more up-to-date information on the relief programs available in California, we recommend that you visit the Secretary of State's website or the California COVID-19 portal.

resource search icon

Description of Program and Relief

Waiver of Certain Eligibility Requirements for In-Home Supportive Services and Early Learning and Care Services

As authorized by Governor Gavin Newsom’s Executive Order N-47-20, the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued a temporary waiver of certain requirements and procedures for In-Home Supportive Services Program (IHSS) services providers providing care for older adults and individuals with disabilities.

Also as authorized by the order, the California Department of Education (CDE) has temporarily waived certain Education Code eligibility requirements for non-CalWORKS federal- and state-subsidized early learning and care services to facilitate enrollment for: (1) children of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers and (2) children with disabilities or special health care needs whose Individual Education Plans and Individual Family Support Plans include early childhood education services.

The order also temporarily waives the requirement that children at risk of abuse or neglect submit a written referral from a legal, medical, or social services agency in order to receive priority for such services. At-risk children may instead submit a self-certification form.

Government or Lead Agency

California Executive Department; California Department of Social Services; California Department of Education

Dates Available

Applicable IHSS requirements and procedures are currently waived from April 7, 2020 to June 6, 2020.

Applicable Education Code requirements are currently waived for eligible children from April 4, 2020 to June 30, 2020.

Applicable written referral requirements will be waived for children at risk of abuse or neglect until the end of the State of Emergency (which will expire upon proclamation of the Governor or by concurrent resolution of the legislature).

Eligibility Requirements/Restrictions

Official guidance regarding the IHSS waivers can be found here.

The waivers for non-CalWORKS federal- and state-subsidized early learning and care services apply to (1) children of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers (defined here) and (2) children with disabilities or special health care needs whose Individual Education Plans and Individual Family Support Plans include early childhood education services.

Application Deadlines (If Applicable)

Families of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers in need of early learning and care services (also known as COVID-19 Emergency Childcare) must apply by completing the COVID-19 2020 Confidential Application for Emergency Childcare Services, located here, by June 30, 2020.

Contact for More Information

For questions about the waiver of IHSS policy and requirements, contact the CDSS, Adult Programs Division, Policy and Operations Bureau at (916) 651-5350.

For questions about COVID-19 Emergency Childcare services, contact the CDE, Early Learning and Care Division at ELCDEmergency@cde.ca.gov.

List of Additional Information

A copy of CDSS’s All County Letter detailing the terms of the waivers for IHSS providers can be found here.

A copy of the CDE’s guidance regarding early learning and care services and COVID-19 Emergency Childcare can be found here.

A copy of Executive Order N-47-20, which authorizes the waivers described above, can be found here.


© 2021 Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. This does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. In some jurisdictions, this publication may be considered attorney advertising. Past representations are no guarantee of future outcomes.

© 2024 Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

Privacy Policy