HOURS, WWL & OVERTIME
Which four service types count toward an IP's Work Week Limit?
Personal Care, Respite Care, Relief Care, and Skills Acquisition Training (SAT) all count toward the WWL.
How do IPs claim PTO and Training hours?
IPs submit PTO through the DirectMyCare portal - Time and Mileage entry - Admin time
How does an IP complete their background check authorization and send the confirmation code to CDWA?
IPs complete the DSHS Background Check Authorization Form at fortress.wa.gov/dshs/bcs. After submitting, a 10-digit confirmation code is generated — save it immediately, it cannot be retrieved after exiting. Send the code to CDWA by: listing CDWABackgroundCheck@ConsumerDirectCare.com directly in the online form, or by calling, emailing, or providing it in person to CDWA.
What are the 8 steps of the CDWA new IP hiring process in order?
1. Apply online at ConsumerDirectCare.com/Careers. 2. Complete Form I-9 via DocuSign.
3. Complete Hiring Tasks in Workday (personal info, direct deposit, tax forms, policy acknowledgments). 4. Background Check.
5. Orientation & Safety Training (5 hours).
6. Client/IP Match.
7. Okay to Provide Care (OTPC) date issued.
8. Client Relationship Attestation in DirectMyCare.
How do IPs find their PTO balance?
PTO Balance: Sign into DirectMyCare → My account → Admin Auth Balance
What is the difference between Relief Care and Respite Care?
Relief Care: a paid IP temporarily covers for another paid IP (the regular IP gets the break). Respite Care: a paid IP temporarily covers for an unpaid family caregiver (the family member gets the break).
How much PTO do IPs earn, and what is the cap?
Effective July 1, 2024: IPs earn 1 hour of PTO for every 23 hours worked. (Prior rate effective July 1, 2023: 1 hour per 24 hours worked.) PTO caps at 140 hours — accrual stops once the balance reaches the cap and resumes when the IP uses PTO.
What are the four possible BCCU background check results, and what happens with each?
No Record Found: IP continues hiring, no action needed.
Additional Info Needed: IP responds directly to BCCU (not CDWA) with court documents or an affidavit.
Review Required: CDWA conducts a CC&S (Character, Competence & Suitability) review.
Disqualified: CDWA cannot employ the IP; IP may appeal to the reporting agency.
What is the Okay to Provide Care (OTPC) date, and what three conditions must be met before CDWA issues it?
The OTPC date is the official first day an IP can begin working and be paid for providing care. Three required conditions:
(1) Orientation & Safety training is complete (or exemption approved),
(2) background check and fingerprint appointment are scheduled, and
(3) the client has an active DSHS authorization. The OTPC date is shared by email from CDWA.
An IP assumes they are automatically approved for mileage reimbursement because they drive to every client visit. Is this correct? What is the current monthly mileage cap per consumer?
No — mileage reimbursement is not automatic. It must be specifically authorized in the Client’s care plan before an IP can claim it. Up to 110 miles per month, per consumer, reimbursed at the IRS rate. Effective July 2026, the cap increases to 130 miles/month per consumer under the 2025–2027 Agreement.
Under what three conditions can CDWA approve a temporary WWL increase for an IP? And how is this request submitted?
CDWA may approve a temporary increase when: (1) another IP is temporarily unavailable, (2) the client's health or safety requires additional hours, or (3) the situation could place the client at risk for institutionalization. To request a temporary WWL increase, call 866.214.9899 or email InfoCDWA@ConsumerDirectCare.com
How is an IP's hourly pay rate calculated?
Pay Rate = Base Rate (CCH wage scale) + Certification Differential (+$0.25/hr for HCA cert) + Advanced Training Differential (+$0.25/hr if completed before 12/31/2016) + AHCAS/ABHCAS Differential (+$0.75/hr for specialist credential). Differentials stack on top of the base rate.
How do IPs schedule a fingerprint appointment, what must they bring, and how often must the background check be renewed?
Schedule at identogo.com/IDEMIA or call 1-888-771-5097. Must be scheduled within 120 days of the OTPC date.
Bring: Fingerprint Appointment Form, Date of Birth, and Inquiry ID/OCA number. Background checks must be renewed every 2 years. If expired, CDWA places the IP on an Administrative Hold (unpaid status, cannot submit time).
What is the Client Relationship Attestation, where is it completed, and why does it matter?
The Client Relationship Attestation is completed in the DirectMyCare web portal after receiving the OTPC date. It confirms the IP's relationship to the client (e.g., family member, non-relative), determines the IP's training category, and identifies potential tax exemptions. IPs cannot submit time in the system until this attestation is complete.
What should an IP do if they need to submit time that is older than 30 days, and does the 30-day rule apply to PTO the same way?
For time older than 30 days (effective February 15, 2026): the IP must contact CDWA to request the timesheet be reopened. CDWA must respond in writing within 3 business days. CDWA cannot terminate an IP solely for late time entry. PTO exception: IPs do NOT lose PTO by missing the 30-day window. However, to claim PTO for a date 30+ days old, they must still request the timesheet be reopened.
What is a Grandfathered WWL, and can a new IP qualify for one?
A Grandfathered WWL is a permanent Work Week Limit above 40 hours, based on January 2016 DSHS data. Only IPs who qualified at that time retain it. New IPs cannot qualify — the program is permanently closed.
What is CCH and where can IPs find their CCH balance?
CCH stands for Cumulative Career Hours — the total personal care and respite hours an IP has worked since July 1, 2005. Higher CCH = higher base pay rate on the wage scale. IPs find their CCH balance in DirectMyCare: → My Account → Cumulative Career Hours.
What is a CC&S review, what can trigger one, and what are the three possible outcomes?
CC&S (Character, Competence & Suitability) is a review conducted by CDWA when background check results are flagged or when conduct concerns arise.
Triggers include: 'Review Required' result from BCCU, a policy violation, a Medicaid fraud allegation, or a service coordinator safety concern.
Outcomes: Cleared (approved to work), Conditional/Restricted (specific clients only), or Not Eligible (cannot be employed).
What are the steps of the IP rehire process, and does a returning IP need to redo Orientation & Safety training?
Rehire steps:
(1) Submit all worked time and PTO in DirectMyCare. (2) Request termination in Workday.
(3) Reapply online selecting 'Prior Worker' status.
(4) Complete background check if required.
(5) Wait for new OTPC date.
(6) Complete attestations and verify training.
(7) Begin providing care. Orientation & Safety is a one-time training — returning IPs do NOT need to retake it.
How do IPs access the Annual Compliance Training (ACT), and what should the MRC Rep do if the IP says they never received the email or can't access the link?
ACT is sent by CDWA email and completed in Workday. If IP didn't receive it — forward the example email. If they can't access the link — advise them to take a screenshot of the error and contact their CDWA Service Coordinator immediately. ACT is NOT transferred to the MRC Training Queue.
Required Training does not count toward the WWL — how does it affect overtime, and what six hour types can count toward OT?
Required Training does not count toward WWL, but DOES count toward the overtime calculation when total paid hours exceed 40/week. The six OT-eligible types are: Personal Care, Respite Care, Relief Care, SAT, Required Training, and Admin Time.
How can an IP get hours from a prior home care agency added to their CCH, and what are the two key dates to know?
Where can they obtain their history of previous employment records?
Through the Agency Reciprocity program: IPs contact CDWA to submit a request with documentation from the prior employer. Two key dates: July 1, 2005 — CCH tracking started for all DSHS-paid IPs. July 1, 2017 — Agency Reciprocity program started; only hours from Medicaid-contracted agencies from this date onward can be transferred.
They can obtain their history of previous employment records through ESD
What does the 'Let Us Work' Law (HB 1395, effective July 27, 2025) change about background checks and CC&S reviews?
IPs may continue paid care for up to 30 days while a non-disqualifying CC&S review is pending. CC&S reviews are eliminated for non-disqualifying actions already reviewed by the same employer or actions older than 10 years. Fingerprinting is now required only for: new hires, federally mandated cases, caregivers who lived outside WA, and documented good-faith employer concerns.
What is the CDWA Credential & Training Compliance policy effective February 1, 2026, and what happens after an IP uses their one-time rehire reset and is still non-compliant?
Effective Feb 1, 2026: IPs separated or placed on hold for missing background check requirements, training deadlines, or HCA certification deadlines may use the rehire process exactly one time. After the reset, a new hire date is issued and deadlines reset. If still non-compliant after the reset: the IP is not eligible for rehire for 90 days, or until fully compliant — whichever comes first. No additional resets are available under any circumstances.
When an IP calls the MRC to report a background check issue with CDWA, What clarifying questions must we ask?
- When and how were you notified of your background check?
- When and how did you submit your BGC to CDWA?
-What was the start date of your suspension?
- Has CDWA requested a federal rap sheet and when?
- When did you submit your federal rap sheet?
- When were you reinstated?