California Welfare and Institutions Code § 5903

(a) For the purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply: (1) “Client” means an individual who is all of the following: (A) A person with a mental health disability. (B) Medi-Cal eligible. (C) Under 65 years of age. (D) Certified for placement in an institution for mental disease by a county. (E) Eligible for Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Program for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (SSI/SSP) benefits. (2) “Client’s payee” means an authorized representative who may receive revenue resources, including SSI/SSP benefits, on behalf of a client. (3) “SSI/SSP benefits” means revenue resources paid to an eligible client, or the client’s payee, by the federal Social Security Administration pursuant to Subchapter 16 (commencing with Section 1381) of Chapter 7 of Title 42 of the United States Code, and Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 12000) of Part 3 of Division 9. (b) (1) Between August 1, 1991, and June 30, 1992, institution for mental disease providers shall make reasonable efforts to collect SSI/SSP benefits from a client or a client’s payee. The provider shall invoice the client or the client’s payee for the SSI/SSP benefits, minus the personal and incidental allowance amount as established by the Social Security Administration, and remit all SSI/SSP funds collected to the department pursuant to procedures established by the department. (2) Commencing July 1, 1992, and to the extent permitted by federal law, institution for mental disease providers may collect SSI/SSP benefits from a client or a client’s payee. The amount to be invoiced shall be the amount of the client’s SSI/SSP benefits, minus the personal and incidental allowance amount as established by the Social Security Administration. The administrative mechanism for collection of SSI/SSP benefits, including designation of the party responsible for collection, shall be determined by negotiation between the counties and the providers. (c) In collecting SSI/SSP benefits from the client or the client’s payee, the provider shall not be deemed to be the authorized representative, as defined in Section 72015 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations, for purposes of handling the client’s moneys or valuables. (d) Providers shall make all reasonable efforts, as specified in procedures developed by the department in consultation with providers, to collect SSI/SSP benefits from the client or the client’s payee. Providers shall establish an accounting procedure, approved by the department, for the actual collection and remittance of these funds. (e) Providers shall prorate the client’s SSI/SSP benefits by the number of days spent in the facility. (f) After June 30, 1992, and not later than January 1, 1993, the department shall make data available to the Legislature, upon request, regarding the SSI/SSP collections made by institution for mental disease providers pursuant to this section.

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