DMHAS Waiver Housing and Living Supports Services Overview
Provides an overview of the roles and responsibilities, eligibility requirements, services available, and assistance provided by the DMHAS Waiver Housing and Living Supports Services program. It covers housing search, lease negotiations, and start-up assistance for clients, emphasizing the clinical justification and asset-based eligibility criteria.
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DMHAS Waiver Housing and Living Supports Services Roles and Responsibilities
Overview Eligibility requirements for program services Services Available DMHAS Subsidy vs. RAP Post transition/re-location roles and responsibilities Questions
Who is eligible for assistance from the DMHAS Waiver Housing and Living Supports Services Program Client must be accepted and/or receiving on-going services through DMHAS ABI Services, the ABI Waiver or the Mental Health Waiver Eligibility is based on client assets as determined by DMHAS WHLSS staff; DMHAS WHLSS is a service of LAST RESORT- client assets must be exhausted prior to referral for assistance Clinical justification is required for access to any services provided by DMHAS WHLSS
Services available from DMHAS WHLSS Housing search On-going Monthly Subsidy for Community clients Services for a Starter Apartment Assistance with moving expenses
Housing Search Upon acceptance of referral, housing search commences DMHAS WHLSS identifies maximum of two (2) apartments for client to view/select On-line resources, realtors and referral networking resources are used TCM, CSP or RA will assist with transportation to apartment viewings Upon selection of apartment DMHAS WHLSS will assist with preparation/submission of housing application and required documentation (to be obtained by community staff) application and hold fees and negotiation with prospective landlord
Lease and Start-up DMHAS WHLSS will negotiate and finalize lease with client and landlord Housing Coordinator will finalize any Housing Authority requirements in MFP/RAP cases Selection of furniture and shopping for household items at Wal-Mart (clients may participate in this process to the extent practical and clinically appropriate; TCM/CSP/RA expected to assist with transportation) Provide a Starter Apartment set-up for client
What is a starter apartment? Security Deposit- up to two (2) months 1stmonths rent Funds for furniture and household items (limited to pre- approved P-Card shopping list) as determined after assessment of client needs and resources First year s annual premium for Renter s Insurance (renewal Premium is client s responsibility) Environmental modifications/assistive technology up to $10,000 maximum (request must include clinical/medical justification) Utility deposits for transfer of or set-up of service only Moving expenses up to a maximum of $600
One-time Re-Location With appropriate clinical/justification, DMHAS WHLSS will assist with one-time re-location after the initial move/re-location On-time re-location consists of application/hold fees for new apartment, security deposit up to two (2) months, 1stmonth s rent, moving expenses up to $600 Requests for replacement furniture/household items on case-by- case basis as reasonable accommodation based on client need and clinical justification If re-location is to alternate housing setting or institutionalization, client is responsible for removal/storage of all household furnishings, household items and/or personal belongings
RAP vs. DMHAS WHLSS Subsidy State of Connecticut Rental Assistance Program (RAP) administered and funded by HUD through State of Connecticut Dept. of Housing (DOH) and administered by J. D Amelia & Associates through 8 regional Housing Authorities Available only to ABI/Mental Health Waiver MFP participants Eligibility is determined by J. D Amelia pursuant to HUD guidelines RAP Subsidy is permanent; if client refuses or graduates from Waiver Services, RAP subsidy remains in place Subsidy is based on household size and household income Subsidy is calculated at 30% of TOTAL household income plus/minus applicable utility allowances. This constitutes tenant portion rent.
DMHAS WHLSS Subsidy Eligibility based on client receiving ongoing supports from DSS ABI or Mental Health Medicaid Waiver Client must be the leaseholder and a fully executed one (1) year lease is required Rent cannot exceed Maximum Allowable Rent (MAR) payment standards as approved by DOH for RAP for a 1 bedroom apartment Utility bills must be in client s name for utility allowance eligibility Telephone land line/cable must be in client s name for allowance eligibility Clients receiving Sec. 8, RAP, living in subsidized community housing, and/or any other form of rental subsidy or have been terminated/evicted from any of those subsidy programs for just cause are ineligible for the DMHAS WHLSS subsidy The DMHAS WHLSS subsidy is a program of LAST RESORT AND IS NOT A PERMANENT SUBSIDY. Clients refusing services, ineligible for services or who graduate from services from the DSS ABI or Mental Health Waiver will become ineligible for the subsidy
DMHAS WHLSS Subsidy Housing Guidelines Limited to procurement of one (1) bedroom apartment (2 + bedroom apartment will be considered only if it falls within 1 bedroom MAR payment standard or if live-in caregiver is required) Rent must be within MAR rent for the area including applicable utility allowances as established by DOH. Rent in excess of MAR up to a maximum of 120% of MAR will be considered as a Reasonable Accommodation upon written request and clinical/medical justification Tenant must be leaseholder of valid/fully executed one (1) year lease Copy of lease must be on file with DMHAS WHLSS staff Statewide Housing Program Coordinator assigned to case will inspect residence prior to initial lease, on subsequent lease renewals and at termination of tenancy if Security deposit was provided by DMHAS WHLSS
Roles and Responsibilities- Statewide Housing Program Coordinator From referral through lease-up, Coordinator is a member of client s team to advise and coordinate housing needs on a statewide basis Assist with locating housing, application process, inspecting apartments, coordinating home evaluations, ensuring utility placement, and access funds through fiduciary (Goodwill) Post move into the community be available to consult/coordinate any housing issues that cannot be resolved by client with assistance of community staff Oversee subsidy requests and subsidy adjustments based on income/expenses and/or rent changes (Community staff must notify DMHAS WHLSS staff immediately of any income/expense/rent changes) Monitor lease renewal to insure lease is current, fully executed and valid
Continued. Create budget and on approval submit to fiduciary (Goodwill) Complete and transmit subsidy letters to landlord, community staff, clients and conservators (Please make sure DMHAS WHLSS staff has the most current contact information) Complete and submit check requests for housing expenses Manage purchase of furnishings, household items and start- up expenses and process Manage budget revisions and annual re-certification process
Staff Responsibilities- CIS/CSC/CSP Assist in housing location, start-up and moving process Report any changes in client s utility budget, income, and/or rent Ensure clients/conservators are aware of DMHAS WHLSS eligibility guidelines and that subsidy is dependent on connection to Waiver services Notify Housing Coordinator of client discharges, service provider changes and/or termination of Waiver services Report to Housing Coordinator any intent to move or possibility of eviction Assist client with Recertification process and provide Housing Coordinator with all Annual Recertification documents required and assist client with budgeting for and renewal of Renter s Insurance if required. MONITOR LANDLORD/TENANT RELATIONSHIP AND ASSIST CLIENT WITH ALL LANDLORD/TENANT ISSUES Assist client with lease renewal process, notify Housing Coordinator immediately of new lease provisions and provide copy of lease to Housing Coordinator Assist client with application to public/subsidized housing
DMHAS WHLSS Budget Process Budget prepared by Statewide Housing Program Coordinator Budget based on the following: Income (SSI, SSDI, State Supplement, wages, and all other forms of income (e.g. pensions, annuities, etc.) Rent Start-up costs including hold/application fees, Security Deposit, 1st month s rent, 1styear s renter s insurance premium $2200.00 apartment start-up (furniture) $75 phone (land line only)/ cable allowance Utility and renter s insurance allowances Food/Miscellaneous allowance (maximum $400) $600 is available for P-Card shopping budget which is not included in DMHAS WHLSS budget document
DMHAS WHLSS Annual Recertification Process begins in January and letters sent to client and community staff Recertification budget starts for July 1 to coincide with State of Connecticut Fiscal Year Client/Staff provide the following information: current income verification for all forms of income, current utility/phone/ cable/renter s insurance bill in client s name Copy of current lease Information due by March 1. Second letter sent on March 1 requesting compliance for April 1 Upon completion of budget for upcoming Fiscal Year, letter will be sent to client, staff, conservators and landlords verifying budget amounts If all documentation is not received by APRIL 30, NOTICE OF SUBSIDY TERMINATION WILL BE ISSUED
Termination of DMHAS WHLSS Subsidy DMHAS WHLSS Subsidy will be terminated under the following conditions Client receives written notice of termination of Medicaid Waiver Services Monthly expenses (rent and allowance for utilities, phone/cable and miscellaneous allowances) are equal to or less than client s income (Gross income from any and all sources, wages, stipends, etc.) Income exclusions: gifts, one-time payment (renter s rebate, fuel assistance), wages from government funded/sponsored/related program. If client is institutionalized for a period of ninety (90) days or less, DMHAS WHLSS subsidy will be continued for that period. If client is expected to be institutionalized in excess of the ninety (90) day period, client s situation will be re-assessed and if prognosis is that they will return to the community within the upcoming ninety (90) day period, the DMHAS WHLSS subsidy will be continued for an additional ninety (90) days. In no event will the subsidy continue beyond a maximum of one hundred and eighty (180) days of institutionalization Failure to renew lease Eviction
Replacement of Household Items due to Bed Bug Infestation Before consideration of replacement, client and landlord must make every effort to exterminate/remediate the infestation pursuant to CGS Sec. 47a-7 and provide written proof of extermination/remediation Upon proof of extermination/remediation the following items will be replaced: full-sized mattress and box spring, Upholstered furniture, Bedding and linens (e.g. sheets, comforter, towels, etc.
