Care Economy Payments for HCBS Direct Care Workers
To support California's direct care providers of Medi-Cal Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) will be distributing a one-time payment of $500. These payments are meant to help alleviate financial strain and hardships suffered by California's HCBS direct care workforce during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) and incentivize retention of California's existing HCBS direct care workforce. These payments are funded through California's HCBS Spending Plan, approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on January 4, 2022.
Eligibility
To qualify, an HCBS direct care provider:
- Must have worked for a minimum of two (2) months between March 2020 and March 2022. (Note: The eligibility timeframe was extended by one year.)
- Must currently be providing direct care HCBS.
- Must have provided services through one of the eligible HCBS waivers/programs as the appropriate provider type (Eligibility List).
Application Process
The application process is now closed as of
Saturday, July 29, 2023.
Payment Information (new as of 10/27/2023)
DHCS issued payments to HCBS direct care providers on October 27, 2023. HCBS direct care providers receiving funding shall issue payments to approved employees within 60 days of receipt of funds. HCBS direct care providers approved to receive a care economy payment but do not receive it by November 15, 2023, may inquire via email at:
HCBSCareEconomyPayments@dhcs.ca.gov.
Resources
Contact Us
For questions, please email HCBSCareEconomyPayments@dhcs.ca.gov
