Key points
- For older adults and people who are blind or disabled who have Medi-Cal and live at home in California.
- IHSS can help with housecleaning, cooking, laundry, grocery shopping, personal care such as bathing, and accompaniment to medical appointments.
- A county social worker visits your home, assesses your needs, and sets your hours per month.
- The person receiving IHSS chooses, hires, and directs the caregiver. A spouse can be paid only in certain situations.
Who qualifies
According to CDSS, IHSS is for older adults and people who are blind or disabled who live in California. You must be eligible for Medi-Cal and live at home, not in a hospital, nursing facility, or licensed care facility.
You also need a Health Care Certification form (SOC 873) completed by a doctor or other health care professional.
What IHSS helps with
Depending on your needs, IHSS can pay for help such as housecleaning, cooking, laundry, grocery shopping, personal care (bathing, toileting, grooming), some medical care at home, accompaniment to medical appointments, and protective supervision for people with a cognitive impairment or mental illness who cannot recognize danger.
A county social worker visits your home, assesses what you cannot do on your own, and then sends a Notice of Action listing the tasks approved and your hours per month.
Who can be the caregiver
The person receiving IHSS chooses, hires, and directs the caregiver and can let them go. Relatives, including adult children, can be paid caregivers if they meet the enrollment requirements. The caregiver must complete enrollment, including an orientation and fingerprinting for a background check, before being paid.
According to CDSS, IHSS pays a spouse in certain situations; if the spouse is able and available at home, the program limits which tasks are paid. Each case is reviewed separately, so ask the social worker.
How to apply and appeal
Submit application form SOC 295 to your county IHSS office. According to CDSS, the form is available in several languages. The county will schedule a social worker to visit your home.
If you disagree with the decision or the hours approved, you have the right to appeal. If your needs change, you can ask for a reassessment at any time; the county also reassesses every year.
Steps
- Check Medi-Cal. IHSS requires Medi-Cal. If you do not have it, apply for Medi-Cal first or at the same time.
- Submit form SOC 295. At your county IHSS office.
- Have your doctor complete SOC 873. The Health Care Certification form.
- Prepare for the assessment. List the tasks you cannot do on your own to tell the social worker.
- Choose a caregiver. It can be a relative. The caregiver must complete enrollment, orientation, and a background check before being paid.
Quick check
- Do I have Medi-Cal?
- Do I live at home (not in a nursing facility)?
- What tasks do I need help with each day?
- Who will be my caregiver?
Common questions
Can my adult child be my paid caregiver?
Yes. According to CDSS, an adult child can be paid as a caregiver if they meet the enrollment requirements, including an orientation and a background check. A spouse can be paid only in certain situations. Ask your county social worker.
I do not have Medi-Cal. Can I get IHSS?
According to CDSS, you must be eligible for Medi-Cal to get IHSS. Apply for Medi-Cal first or at the same time.
What if I disagree with the hours approved?
You have the right to appeal the decision or the hours. If your needs change, ask for a reassessment.
Is QualitySpace an IHSS office?
No. QualitySpace Insurance Agency is a private insurance agency, not a government office. To apply, contact your county IHSS office.