What is IHSS?

In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) helps pay for assistance in the home with activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living that allow aged, blind, or disabled residents of Santa Cruz County remain safely in their home. IHSS services are available in all 58 counties of California.

Am I Eligible?

Basic eligibility factors include:

• You must be a citizen of the United States or a qualified alien
• You must also be a California resident
• You must live at home or an abode of your own choosing (acute care hospital, long-term care facilities, and licensed community care facilities are not considered “own home”);  AND
• You are a current recipient of Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP);  OR
• You meet all the eligibility criteria for SSI/SSP except that your income is in excess of the SSI/SSP income levels;  OR
• You meet all the eligibility criteria for SSI/SSP, including income, but do not receive SSI/SSP;  OR
• You are a Medi-Cal recipient who meets SSI/SSP disability criteria;  AND
• You can remain safely at home with in home care services
• You have functional limitations that prevent you from caring for yourself

What services does IHSS provide?

Services offered by IHSS range from:

• Domestic and related (includes: meal preparation, meal clean-up, laundry, grocery shopping, and errands)
• Personal care (includes: ambulation, transfers, respiration, bathing/hygiene, rubbing skin/repositioning, and paramedical services)
• Accompaniment to medical appointments
• Protective supervision for recipients with a cognitive impairment

What is the IHSS application process?

1. A referral for IHSS is called in to the IHSS program at (831) 454-4101
2. Medi-Cal eligibility is confirmed by IHSS or referred to Employment and Benefit Services Division 
3. An IHSS Social Worker conducts a home visit
4. IHSS Social Worker reviews information obtained during a home visit, from medical professionals, and other agencies involved in your care (if necessary) to assess services needed and the hours necessary to provide you with care
5. IHSS Social Worker sends you a notice of approval or denial
   1. If you are found eligible, the notice lists the tasks approved and monthly hours authorized
   2. If you are denied, the notice will indicate the reason(s)

How do I pay my share of cost?

IHSS recipients who have a share of cost should not pay their IHSS independent provider any monies until they have received a letter from the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) instructing them to pay. 

This is because, if you have visited other Medi-Cal vendors earlier in the month, you may have encumbered your share of cost elsewhere. Once you have received a letter from CDSS, you are responsible for paying your caregiver for services provided.

Letters are sent to both the recipient and provider following each IHSS pay period (twice a month).

Who can be my independent provider?

You are the employer of your independent provider and therefore can hire whomever you find suitable to perform the tasks authorized by IHSS with certain exceptions.

IHSS providers must have:

• A legal right to work in the United States
• A valid Social Security Number

If you need help finding an independent provider, let your IHSS Social Worker know, IHSS contracts with a registry that will help you look for a caregiver.

When should I call my Social Worker?

To avoid an overpayment or delay in payment to your independent provider, you are responsible for calling your IHSS Social Worker immediately when:

• You are hospitalized and return from a hospitalization
• Have a significant change in your needs for in-home care
• You hire or fire an independent provider
• You will be temporarily out of your home
• There is a change in your home (someone moves in with you, someone leaves your home or you move)

How does my independent provider get paid?

You are responsible for calling your IHSS Social Worker immediately upon hiring an independent provider. You and your provider will need to complete and mail the following forms to your IHSS Social Worker:

• Provider Enrollment Agreement Form SOC 426 AND
• Employer Responsibility Checklist Form SOC 332

Your provider will not receive time cards until these forms have been received by your IHSS Social Worker. Time cards and pay checks are mailed directly to your provider from Sacramento; it is your responsibility to monitor that your provider submits time cards to you twice a month for review and signature. Do not sign a blank time card, and make sure your provider has claimed the exact number of hours worked per day on his/her time card.  You are also responsible for paying your share of cost, if you have one, directly to your provider in the amount indicated in the letters you receive from CDSS.

Your Rights

Whether you are eligible or not, you have the right to be treated with dignity, respect, and courtesy when you apply for IHSS. The Human Services Department will not discriminate against anyone because of race, color, national origin, political affiliation, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, or condition of physical or mental disability.

State Hearing

The Fair Hearings Office is responsible for processing and representing Human Services Department in all California Department of Social Services (CDSS) State Hearings. Recipients or applicants of the various aid and service programs who are dissatisfied with any action or inaction of the County may request a hearing.

• Fair Hearings Officer – Joyce Germain (831) 454-4117.
• We do encourage you to begin by speaking to your IHSS social worker if you have questions or disagree with any action in your IHSS services.  This may prevent a need for a hearing.

How do I apply for IHSS Services?

• Call In-Home Supportive Services at (831) 454-4101.

This fact sheet is not to be used as substitute for
State IHSS Regulations.