Under a new anti-fraud law thousands of disabled and elderly Californians could have trouble getting home care services. Starting this all new service providers have to get criminal background checks.
Frank Mecca, who is with California’s County Welfare Directors Association, says the state has not given counties final instructions on how to implement the law. And Mecca said that means there will be delays.
“Thousands of elderly people and adults with disabilities will be left without critical services we know they need to remain safely at home,” said Mecca.
A state spokesperson said a small percentage of people will see changes to their home care. And if the new policy holds up provider's paychecks for work they're doing, the state says it will pay them back retroactively.
Meanwhile, Assemblymember Noreen Evans said she’s working on emergency legislation to avoid further service delays for the elderly and disabled.
