The California Department of Social Services released an All
County Letter that outlines implementation of emergency paid sick
leave for In-Home Supportive Service (IHSS) providers in
accordance with H.R. 6201, the federal Families First Coronavirus
Response Act. To be eligible for these sick leave benefits, an
IHSS provider must be unable to work for a COVID-19 related
reason, such as being subject to a quarantine or isolation order,
experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, or caring for someone who is
subject to a quarantine or isolation order. Providers who work
more than 160 hours in a month are eligible for the full two
weeks of paid sick leave and providers who work less are eligible
for a prorated amount. California Department of Social Services
(CDSS) has indicated separately that this paid sick leave
would be funded with $57 million State General Fund ($124 million
total with federal match).
CDSS also announced the availability of personal protective
equipment (PPE) for IHSS providers. Working closely with the
California Department of Public Health (CDPH), CDSS obtained
250,000 N95 masks and 250,000 pairs of gloves. This personal
protective equipment (PPE) is not for all IHSS providers,
but for those providers with prolonged exposure in caring for a
person who is COVID-19 positive or symptomatic. Forthcoming
guidance from CDSS will outline the CDPH guidelines on which
providers should receive this PPE. CDSS is working closely with
the California Association of Public Authorities and county
public authorities on distribution. The PPE will be shipped to
each county public authority and public authorities will work
with counties to determine the best strategy to distribute the
PPE to IHSS providers.
