Special Needs

Refer to the "Special Needs" topic in the GA handbook for policy information.

Special Needs Procedures

When a GA applicant/recipient requests a special need allowance, the EW will:

  1. Verify General Assistance eligibility.
  2. Obtain appropriate verification of the requested special need(s). For special/therapeutic diet requests, see verification steps below.
  3. Complete and sign the Special Need Requisition (SCD 414) form. 
  4. Obtain the approval signatures of both the Eligibility Work Supervisor and the Social Services Program Manager. 
  5. If approved, complete the appropriate CalSAWS entries.
  6. Document the approval/denial of the special need and all actions taken in a CalSAWS Journal Entry.
  7. Send the appropriate NOA.
  8. Send all documents to Imaging.

Refer to Chewable Byte 23-33: How to Pay Recurring Special Needs for General Assistance, for recurring special needs entries in CalSAWS.

Reminder: Recurring special needs are limited to special diets and medical transportation (must be reviewed at RRR or specified end date, whichever is sooner). All other special needs are non-recurring one-time-only payments. Refer to the "Special Needs" topic in the GA handbook for policy information.

Special/Therapeutic Diet Verification

Refer to the "Special Needs - Diet" topic in the GA handbook for policy information.

Eligibility for a special diet allowance requires verification from a physician. If the client is determined eligible for GA but does not have appropriate physician's verification at the time of their special diet allowance request, the EW will: 

  1. Generate the Special Diet Request (CSF 25) form.
  2. Inform the client to take the CSF 25 to their physician to be completed.
  3. Document in a CalSAWS Journal Entry that the CSF 25 was provided.
  4. Upon receipt of the completed CSF 25, follow the Special Needs Procedures above (starting with #3).

Note: When the physician has indicated that the special diet is only needed for a specific time period; the EW must enter the appropriate end date on the Recurring Special Needs Detail page in CalSAWS (refer to CB 23-33). Otherwise, the request must be reviewed at RRR to determine if it is still appropriate.

Related Topics

 

Presumptive Eligibility