Who qualifies for the $500 hazard pay?
Eligible recipients must have worked for a minimum of two months (total, not necessarily consecutive) between March 2020 and March 2021.
When can we expect these payments?
These payments are expected to be paid out beginning on January 21, 2022, with an expected 7-14 days for all eligible providers to have received their payment.
How will the payments be distributed?
These payments will be distributed automatically. Providers do not need to enroll, or do anything to get the payment. These payments will be sent to providers the same way that regular IHSS paychecks are distributed.
Why is my check less than $500?
If you have taxes deducted on your regular paychecks, you will have taxes deducted from your $500 payment. The amount will vary based on what tax bracket you’re in. The only providers who are exempt are those that are exempt from FICA deductions (parent, spouse or live-in providers who have completed the live-in self-certification form).
What did union members do to help us get this bonus?
When the state provided plans for its share of the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, SEIU 2015 worked with the Department of Health Care Services and the Department of Social Services. We strongly pushed for this hazard pay for IHSS providers. This one-time payment is designed to address low wages, turnover, and the need for training opportunities among IHSS providers. SEIU 2015 advised the state on what IHSS providers need most during this challenging time—including hazard pay—in order to reward and uplift this workforce who have been on the front lines to keep our state’s most vulnerable residents safe during the pandemic.
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