County Officials: Letter saying COVID-19 testing is required for benefits is fake
MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION) Monterey County officials said they have seen a letter circulating on social media saying that clients must be tested for COVID-19 to continue receiving state benefits, and they said the letter is fake.
Officials said the letter references the Merced County Human Services agency and what appears to be the signature of a state official. They said the letter tells clients that if they test positive, their children will be placed into foster care and directs them to a website.
The county said social workers will never ask for a client's health status when applying for benefits, and children cannot be placed in foster care because a parent is sick.