Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Claire Cunningham, Director, Human Services Agency
Subject: Agreement with Maximus US Services, Inc., for Disability Benefits Advocacy Services
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Adopt a resolution authorizing an agreement with Maximus US Services, Inc. to provide Disability Benefits Advocacy services, for the term of January 13, 2026 through June 30, 2028, in an amount not to exceed $100,000.
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BACKGROUND:
As part of the County’s strategic plan on homelessness, the Human Services Agency (HSA) and community partners provide a spectrum of services to support people at risk of experiencing homelessness with housing stability and to prevent them from becoming homeless.
The State of California has allocated multiple blocks of grant funding to local governments under the Housing and Disability Advocacy Program (HDAP). The County of San Mateo has received funding through multiple rounds of HDAP funding allocations. HDAP funding has been utilized for case management, housing support services, and disability benefit application assistance for people experiencing homelessness. In FY2025-26, HSA is implementing new HDAP-funded services to serve people at risk of experiencing homelessness, including disability benefits advocacy services.
On April 30, 2024, HSA issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Social Security Advocacy Services. All the proposals received in response to the RFP were evaluated. At the conclusion, the review panel recommended that HSA enter a contract with Maximus US Services, Inc.
On September 9, 2024, HSA entered into an agreement with Maximus US Services for the purpose of providing eligible clients with Social Security disability advocate services in the amount of $200,000 for the term of September 1, 2024, through August 31, 2027 for its Economic Self Sufficiency branch.
DISCUSSION:
HSA is requesting that the Board authorize a second agreement with Maximus US Services, Inc., to provide disability benefits advocacy services for HDAP clients in the amount of $100,000 for the term of January 13, 2026, through June 30, 2028, for its Center on Homelessness branch.
Under this agreement, Maximus US Services, Inc., will provide disability benefits advocacy services to households with one or more persons who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of experiencing homelessness and have a disability (as defined by the Social Security Administration) but are not currently receiving disability benefits. Disability benefits that program participants might be eligible for include the Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Program for the aged, blind, and disabled (SSI/SSP) and the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program.
Program participants will be referred by the San Mateo County Core Service Agencies and may be unsheltered (living outdoors, in vehicles, or other places not meant for human habitation), sheltered, or are otherwise experiencing a housing crisis and have no alternative housing options. People served may include people with long histories of homelessness, little or no income, evictions, alcohol or substance use issues, mental and physical health challenges, and/or other barriers to maintaining housing.
The goal of disability benefits advocacy services is to help referred individuals who have a disability but are not currently receiving disability benefits to apply for the disability benefits for which they are eligible. Maximus US Services, Inc., will assist in the identification, enrollment, appeal, and transition of eligible clients to Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Program for the aged, blind, and disabled (SSI/SSP) and the federal Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program.
The agreement and resolution have been reviewed and approved by the County Attorney as to form.
The resolution contains the County’s standard provision allowing amendments of the County’s fiscal obligation by a maximum of $25,000 (in the aggregate).
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
Target |
|
Percentage of SSI/SSP benefits applications submitted within 90 days of referral. |
85% |
|
Percentage of SSI/SSP benefits applications approved |
67% |
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
The Disability Benefits Advocacy Program will positively impact individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness in San Mateo County, many of whom are immigrants and people of color, by increasing access to critical income supports. The program advances equity by addressing systemic barriers faced by a vulnerable and historically underserved population.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of this agreement is from January 13, 2026, to June 30, 2028. The amount of the agreement is not to exceed $100,000. This agreement is funded by the Housing and Disability Advocacy Program (HDAP) allocation. Budgetary appropriations for this agreement are included in the FY 2025-26 adopted budget and will be included in subsequent budgets. No net County costs are associated with this action.