In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Program

What is the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program?

The IHSS Program will help pay for services provided to you so that you can remain safely in your own home.

Who is eligible for the IHSS Program?

• You must be a California resident.
• You must have a Medi-Cal eligibility determination.
• You must live
  • at home; or
  • in an RV if it has the necessary utilities needed to provide authorized IHSS (i.e. running water, electricity, heat, and appliances for the safe storage and preparation of food for meals) and can be situated in a single location for period of time; or
  • in an abode of your own choosing (acute care hospital, long-term care facilities, and licensed community care facilities are not considered "own home").

How the program works:

A county social worker will interview you at your home to determine your eligibility and need for IHSS. Based on your ability to safely perform certain tasks for yourself, the social worker will assess the types of services you need and the number of hours the county will authorize for each of these services.

This assessment will include information given by you and, if appropriate, by your family, friends, physician or other licensed health care professional.

A completed Health Care Certification (SOC 873) must be received by the county prior to authorization of services.

You will be notified if IHSS has been approved or denied. If denied, you will be notified of the reason for the denial. If approved, you will be notified of the services and the number of hours per month which have been authorized for you.

If you are approved for IHSS, you must hire someone (your individual provider) to perform the authorized services. You are considered your provider's employer and, therefore, it is your responsibility to hire, train, supervise, and fire this individual.

If your county has contracted IHSS providers, you may choose to have services provided by the contractor.

If your county has homemaker employees, you may receive services from a county homemaker.

What services can the IHSS Program provide?

• Housecleaning
• Cooking
• Shopping
• Laundry
• Taking you to and from medical appointments
• Personal care services such as dressing, bathing, feeding, toileting
• Paramedical services such as helping with injections, wound care, colostomy and catheter care as directed by a doctor

What services IHSS Program cannot Provide?

• Moving furniture
• Paying bills
• Reading mail to you
• Caring for pets, including service animals
• Gardening
• Repair services
• Sitting with you to visit or watch TV
• Taking you on social outings

How to apply?

To apply for IHSS, complete an Application For In-Home Supportive Services and submit it to your county IHSS Office.

For more information, visit In Home Supportive Services (ca.gov)