Photo Credit: Sign-on San Diego

More than 372,000 elderly and disabled people bracing for a 20 percent cut in their in-home care are hoping that a judge will block that prospect from playing out across California.

Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation requiring the $100 million reduction in In-Home Supportive Services beginning Jan. 1 if state revenues do not meet projections, which now appears certain. A federal judge has delayed those plans until at least Feb. 1, and advocates of the program have filed a request for an injunction that would stop the cuts indefinitely.

About 24,100 people in San Diego County rely on in-home caregivers to cook, clean, shop and complete other tasks such as providing rides to medical appointments. Recipients and their advocates maintain the cuts, on top of a reduction earlier this year, would force impossible choices such as whether to get dressed or have their colostomy bag changed.

“Understandably, they are very concerned about additional and deeper cuts to the critical services that allow them to safely remain in their homes,” said Frank Mecca, executive director of the County Welfare Directors Association of California, a nonprofit organization representing all 58 counties. “As counties receive calls and continue to conduct home visits, social workers are trying to allay their concerns given the significant unknowns.”  Read More