EMPLOYMENT ISSUE BRIEF
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Behavioral Health Agency RequirementsBHSA & BH-CONNECT: The Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) and the BH-CONNECT Medi-Cal waiver require Full Service Partnership (FSP) programs to include Individual Placement & Support (IPS) Supported Employment. Local behavioral health agencies must begin offering IPS by July 2026, complete a “gap to fidelity” assessment by December 2027, and deliver services to fidelity by June 30, 2029. IPS is required whether or not a county opts in to BH-CONNECT. Small counties (Less than 200,000 pop.) may request an exemption from IPS fidelity requirements.
Program Examples Behavioral health staff in a small county (Calaveras), medium county (Solano) & large county (Alameda) provide presentations in a recorded webinar: www.calbhbc.org/vr
Solano County's 2020/2021 Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Annual Update reports that of 142 consumers who received employment services, 105 consumers secured employment. Of the 105 consumers, 78% (82) secured jobs that are considered "competitive employment" positions, and of those 55 consumers maintained their employment for 90 days or more for a job retention rate of 67%. |
Individual Placement & Support (IPS)IPS is a successful, evidence-based employment practice. It is a model of supported employment for people with serious mental illness (such as schizophrenia, bipolar, depression.) It is based on eight principles:
IPS Data
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Maintaining Benefits
A common concern for many individuals who receive Social Security disability benefits, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), is that if they become employed, they’ll lose their benefits. It is common for many to think that any amount of work can cause a loss of benefits. Fortunately, this is a myth. In fact, there are many resources available to make sure that if a disability beneficiary goes to work, they can continue to receive their cash and health benefits, even while working. Helpful resources called “work incentives” are available to all SSI and SSDI beneficiaries.
Maintaining Medi-Cal Coverage1619(b) is a federal rule that lets people who stop getting Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits due to work income keep their Medi-Cal health coverage while earning up to $64,517 per year in California. Higher earnings may qualify - If an SSI beneficiary has gross earnings higher than the threshold amount in California, SSA can figure an individual threshold amount if that person has:
Working Disabled Program (WDP): Under the WDP, an individual can earn up to 250% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and receive premium-free Medi-Cal. In 2024, with no unearned income, an individual could earn up to $73,920 per year and receive Medi-Cal. Restarting SSI Benefits1619(b) also makes it easier to get SSI benefits started up again if an individual’s countable income goes below SSI's income limit. Individuals must continue to meet other SSI eligibility rules, such as the resource limit.
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CalABLE allows saving up to $100,000 without affecting eligibility for public benefits. Beneficiary must:
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Definitions
SSI: Supplemental Security Income: SSI is a needs-based program that provides benefits to individuals with limited income and resources who are blind, 65 or older, or have a disability.
SSDI: Social Security Disability Insurance is a federal program that provides benefits to individuals who have paid into Social Security and are unable to work due to a disability.
SSDI: Social Security Disability Insurance is a federal program that provides benefits to individuals who have paid into Social Security and are unable to work due to a disability.
More information: www.calbhbc.org/employment
