FAQs

Housing Deposits may be available to eligible Medi-Cal members who meet applicable DHCS and Medi-Cal managed care plan requirements, including certain members experiencing or at risk of homelessness, members eligible for Transitional Rent, and members prioritized for certain permanent supportive housing or rental assistance programs. Eligibility and authorization are determined by the member’s Medi-Cal managed care plan.

Housing Deposits may cover approved one-time expenses needed to establish a basic household, such as an eligible security deposit, utility setup fees or deposits, certain utility arrears, first-month utility costs, application fees, certain one-time cleaning or pest-control services, and qualifying medically necessary adaptive aids or other approved health-and-safety items. Housing Deposits do not cover first or last month’s rent or other rental assistance. All expenses are subject to eligibility, documentation and Medi-Cal managed care plan approval.

Approved Housing Deposit expenses are coordinated and paid in accordance with the member’s Medi-Cal managed care plan requirements. Depending on the approved expense, payment may be made to the appropriate landlord, utility company, vendor or other authorized recipient.

There is not one standard Housing Deposits amount for every member. Approved assistance depends on the member’s individual needs, eligible expenses, required documentation, applicable program limits and authorization by the member’s Medi-Cal managed care plan. Housing Deposits are generally available once per CalAIM demonstration period, with limited exceptions permitted under DHCS requirements.

Our team will review your information, help identify the services for which you may qualify, and assist with the required referral, assessment, documentation and housing support planning, when applicable. Requests requiring authorization are submitted to your Medi-Cal managed care plan for review. Once the applicable service is authorized, MISI will coordinate with you and your health plan to begin approved services.

Required documents vary depending on the service, your housing situation and your Medi-Cal managed care plan. Our team will let you know what information is needed and may request identification, Medi-Cal information, housing or lease documentation, or other supporting records. A Social Security Number is not a universal CalAIM Community Supports requirement; however, a landlord, housing provider or another program may separately require one.

Processing times vary depending on the requested service, the Medi-Cal managed care plan, the information required and the member’s individual circumstances. MISI will help move the request forward and keep you informed of its status whenever possible.

There is no out-of-pocket charge to you for CalAIM services that are authorized and covered by your Medi-Cal managed care plan through MISI. Eligibility, service availability and authorization requirements vary by service and health plan.

Receiving an authorized CalAIM service does not necessarily affect other benefits such as CalWORKs or CalFresh, but requirements for other assistance programs can vary. Please tell our team about other assistance you receive so we can help identify potential overlaps and, when appropriate, encourage you to confirm the effect with the agency that administers the other benefit.

No. Approved Housing Deposit expenses are not a loan to the member and generally do not have to be repaid by the member. Housing Deposits cover eligible, authorized expenses and are not unrestricted cash payments to members.

Some forms and steps may be completed electronically, while others may require additional documentation or signatures depending on the service and your Medi-Cal managed care plan. MISI will let you know what is required and will work with you to identify available secure options for completing necessary paperwork.

No. MISI Community Solutions cannot act as a guarantor or co-signer for a housing lease. However, our team can help eligible members navigate housing resources, complete applicable paperwork, understand available services and coordinate authorized housing-related supports.

Yes. You do not need to speak English to seek CalAIM services through MISI. Please tell us your preferred language and communication needs. We will work with you to provide or arrange appropriate language assistance so you can understand and participate in the services available to you.

MISI can help with language assistance related to housing navigation and can help you communicate with housing providers when appropriate. For health care appointments, your Medi-Cal managed care plan can help arrange qualified interpreter services. Our team can help you identify how to request those services.