What changed
DHCS Policy Letter 26-001 is dated June 22, 2026 and took effect at once. It says how Long-Term Care Ombudsman referrals fit the ALW waitlist priority groups. The letter limits those referrals to people who live in a nursing facility and meet its criteria. The criteria are in the letter, linked under Sources.
Who it affects
Care Coordination Agencies, Ombudsman programs and professionals who refer. Also people in a nursing facility whose urgent need an Ombudsman has documented.
What to do
An Ombudsman referral is not a shortcut through the waitlist. It puts a person in a priority group only when it meets the letter's criteria, and a person at the agency has to review it. If you think it applies to you, talk with your Care Coordination Agency. Read how the priority groups work.
Sources
This post is a summary. The state's own notice controls. Nothing on this page changes anyone's place on the waitlist or their eligibility.
Changes to this post
- October 6, 2026 Title shortened. The letter's limit is stated in one sentence and the internal review wording is removed.
- October 5, 2026 Effective date corrected to June 22, 2026, the date on the letter, which takes effect immediately. Source link now points to the letter itself.
- August 27, 2026 First published. Effective date shown as the year DHCS lists the letter under; the letter's own date is to be confirmed.