In Home Support Services - IHSS
Table of Contents
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Overview of the IHSS Program
The IHSS program provides services to eligible people over the age of 65, the blind, and /or disabled.
The goal of the IHSS program is to allow you to live safely in your own home and avoid the need for out of home care. Services almost always need to be provided in your own home. This could be a house, apartment, hotel, or the home of a relative. If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or meet all Medi-Cal income eligibility requirements, you may be able to receive IHSS services. IHSS is a Medi-Cal program and is funded by federal, state, and county dollars.
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SERVICES
These are the types of services IHSS can provide:
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Personal care services like dressing, bathing, feeding, toileting
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Paramedical services like helping with injections, wound care, colostomy, and catheter care under the direction of a licensed medical professional
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House cleaning
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Cooking
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Shopping
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Laundry
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Accompaniment to and from medical appointments
Some of the things IHSS cannot pay for include:
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Moving furniture
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Paying bills
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Reading mail to you
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Caring for pets, including service animals
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Gardening
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Repair services
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Sitting with you to visit or watch TV
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Taking you on social outings
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APPLICATION PROCESS
1. How to Apply
Contact the In-Home Supportive Services program in your county. A county representative will ask you questions to gather information about the nature of your disability, things that you need help with, your income, and assets. This may take up to 20 minutes.
Yuba County IHSS/Public Authority
5730 Packard Ave. #400 –
P.O. Box 2320
Marysville, CA 95901
Email: HHSD_IHSS@CO.YUBA.CA.US
TEL: (530) 749-6471
FAX: (530) 749-6244
APPLICATION FOR IN-HOME SUPPORTIVE SERVICES - Click to access SOC295.pdf
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2. Home Visit
A social worker will come to your home to determine the types of authorized services that you need and the number of hours for each service. Some of the things the county will consider are your medical condition, living arrangement, and any resources that may already be available.
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3. Health Care Certification Form
You will receive a form for your healthcare provider to complete, certifying your need for IHSS. This form must be completed before services can be authorized.
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4. Authorization
The county will send you a Notice of Action (NOA) telling you if you have been approved or denied services for IHSS. The NOA will specify what services have been approved, how much time is authorized for each service, and how many total monthly hours have been approved.
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5. State Hearing Requests You have the right to ask for a state hearing if you disagree with a county’s action on your benefits or services. You can also ask for a state hearing if the county is not giving you benefits or services which you think you should get.
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Hiring Provider(s)
Once eligibility is established, you can hire one or more people to provide your care. A friend or relative may serve as your care provider, or a referral may be obtained through the IHSS Public Authority Caregiver Registry. Your care provider must complete all the necessary provider enrollment steps prior to starting work. You or your provider can contact your social worker or Public Authority for more information about provider enrollment requirements.
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FINANCIAL FACT SHEET Sheet for IHSS
What is the income limit for IHSS in California?
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In California, the IHSS income limits increase in April of each year. From April 2021 – March 2022, a single applicant can have a monthly income up to $1,481. When both spouses are applicants, the income limit is $2,003 / month. Jan 6, 2022
What is the maximum IHSS hours in California?
The IHSS program has created a family-member exemption to the workweek maximum of 66 hours for IHSS providers to allow them to work up to a maximum of 90 hours per workweek and up to a maximum of 360 hours a month.
How often does the IHSS pay?
The IHSS program has two pay periods from the 1st through the 15th and the 16th through the end of the month. Care providers will complete these time sheets based on the hours they have provided care to the IHSS recipient.
What is the hourly rate for a IHSS provider in Yuba County? $15.65/hour
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How to Become an IHSS Provider
If you want to become an IHSS provider, you must complete all the steps outlined in the document linked below before you can be enrolled as a provider and receive payment from the IHSS program for providing services.
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STEP 1. Complete and sign the IHSS Program Provider Enrollment Form (SOC 426) and return it in person to the County IHSS Office or IHSS Public Authority.
STEP 2. Be fingerprinted and go through a criminal background check by the California Department of Justice.
STEP 3: Attend an IHSS Program Provider Orientation given by the county.
STEP 4: At the end of the Provider Orientation session, sign an IHSS Program Provider Enrollment Agreement (SOC 846).
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Additional Information
Optional IHSS Provider Orientation Handouts:
Communicating with Your Recipient
Electronic Services Portal Registration
How to Become an IHSS Provider
Live-In Provider Self-Certification Information
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Forms:
IHSS Program Provider Enrollment Form (SOC 426)
IHSS Provider Enrollment Agreement (SOC 846)
IHSS Program Provider Workweek & Travel Time Agreement (SOC 2255)
IHSS Program Provider Sick Leave Request Form (SOC 2302)
Provider Orientation Video Script: English Video Script
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In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Fact Sheets
IHSS Program Information
Functional Index Rankings and Hourly Task Guidelines
IHSS Recipient Right to File a Hearing
IHSS Protective Supervision for Adults (PUB 521)
IHSS Protecitve Supervision for Minor Children (PUB 522)
Finding, Hiring and Working with a Provider
Finding, Interviewing, and Hiring a Provider
Getting Started with Your New Provider
IHSS Recipient and Provider Job Agreement
Setting and Maintaining Boundaries
Supervising Your Provider
Deciding When to Fire a Provider
Timesheets
Blind and Visually Impaired Resources
Blind and Visually Impaired Accommodations
Telephone Timesheet System
Other Helpful Information
Suggestions on How to Handle Money
Recognizing Abusive Behavior
In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)
OTHER RESOURCES
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IHSS Recipient/Consumer Education Videos
The following resources are provided for program recipients/consumers in an online video format. These videos are intended to help individuals understand their rights and responsibilities in the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program.
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IHSS Recipient/Consumer Education Videos
Electronic Services Portal (ESP)
Attention ESP Account Holders who use Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) to sign-in to the ESP
Beginning in February 2022, Electronic Services Portal (ESP) users will no longer be able to open ESP using the Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) web browser. Microsoft Corporation will discontinue all remaining support of the Microsoft IE web browser.
If you are not using the Microsoft Internet Explorer web browser to access the ESP and other internet sites, there is no additional action for you to take.
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If you are using the Microsoft Internet Explorer web browser now, you will need to switch to another supported web browser such as Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome to use the ESP. Instructions for installing a new web browser are below.
Electronic Services Portal (ESP)
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In Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Program and Covid-19 Vaccine Requirement
The new public health order issued December 22, 2021 by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) requires IHSS & WPCS providers to be fully vaccinated and boosted with the COVID-19 vaccine. The deadline to acquire the vaccine booster dose has been extended from February 1, 2022 to March 1, 2022.
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Please review the Recipient Notice and the Provider Notice below for additional information.
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COVID-19 Vaccine Notice to IHSS Recipients and Providers:
Recipient Notice -
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Translations: Spanish
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Information about COVID-19 vaccines, testing, scheduling a vaccination appointment and more is available at the CDPH COVID-19 website.
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IHSS Tools and Resources for Emergency Situations
In-Home Supportive Services Extensive Detailed List
DOMESTIC SERVICES:
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General household chores to maintain the cleanliness of the home.
Related Services:
• Meal Preparation: Preparing foods, cooking, and serving meals
• Meal Clean-up: Cleaning up the cooking area and washing, drying, and putting away cookware.
• Routine Laundry: Washing, drying, folding, and putting away clothes and linens
• Shopping for Food: Making a grocery list, traveling to/from the store, shopping, loading, and storing food purchased.
• Other Shopping/Errands: Includes shopping for other necessary items and performing small and necessary errands (e.g., picking up a prescription)
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NON-MEDICAL PERSONAL CARE SERVICES:
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• Respiration/Assistance: Assisting recipient with non-medical breathing related services, such as self-administration of oxygen, nebulizer, and cleaning breathing machines
• Bowel and Bladder Care: Assistance using the toilet (including getting on/off), bedpan/bedside commode, or urinal; emptying and cleaning ostomy bag, enema, and/or catheter receptacles; applying diapers, disposable undergarments, and disposable barrier pads; wiping and cleaning recipient; and washing/drying recipient’s and provider’s hands
• Feeding: Assisting the recipient to eat meals, cleaning his/her face and hands before/after meals
• Routine Bed Baths: Giving a recipient who is confined to bed a routine sponge bath
• Dressing: Assisting the recipient to put on and take off his/her clothes as needed throughout the day
• Menstrual Care: Assistance with the external placement of sanitary napkins and barrier pads
• Ambulation and Getting In/Out of Vehicles: Assisting the recipient with walking or moving about the home, including to/from the bathroom and to/from and into/out of the car for transporting to medical appointments and/or alternative resources
• Transfer (Moving In/Out of Bed and/or On/Off Seats): Assisting recipient from standing, sitting, or prone position to another position and/or from one piece of furniture or equipment to another
• Bathing, Oral Hygiene, and Grooming:Assisting the recipient with bathing or showering, brushing teeth, flossing, and cleaning dentures; shampooing, drying, and combing/brushing hair; shaving; and applying lotion, powder, and deodorant
• Repositioning and Rubbing Skin: Rubbing skin to promote circulation and/or prevent skin breakdown, turning in bed and other types of repositioning, range of motion exercises, assisted walking, and strengthening exercises
• Care of and Assistance with Prosthetic Devices and Help Setting up Medications:Taking off/putting on and maintaining prosthetic devices, including vision/hearing aids, reminding the recipient to take prescribed and/or over the counter medications, and setting up Medi-sets
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MEDICAL ACCOMPANIMENT:
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Accompanying recipient to and from appointments and waiting with recipient for physicians, dentists, and other health practitioners’ appointments; or sites necessary for fitting health-related appliances/devices and special clothing, and may be authorized for an IHSS recipient only after it has been determined that non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) is not being provided under the Medi-Cal Program, and in only those cases in which the social worker has determined that the recipient receives NEMT through Medi-Cal but the recipient also needs assistance with an IHSS authorized task either in transit to/from or at the location of the appointment with the health care professional.
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SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES:
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• Heavy Cleaning: Thorough cleaning of the home to remove hazardous debris or dirt. Authorized one time only and only under certain circumstances
• Yard Hazard Abatement: Light work in the yard to remove high grass or weeds and rubbish when these materials pose a fire hazard (authorized one time only); or remove ice, snow, or other hazardous substances from entrances and essential walkways when these materials make access to the home hazardous
• Protective Supervision: A benefit to watch an individual, who has a mental impairment, to keep the individual safe and prevent injuries and accidents. Certain limitations apply
• Teaching and Demonstration: Teaching and demonstrating those services provided by IHSS providers so the recipient can perform services which are currently performed by IHSS by himself/herself. Certain limitations apply. This service is limited to three months, one-time-only.
• Paramedical Services:Services ordered by a licensed health care professional which recipient could perform themselves if they did not have functional limitations. When such services are necessary to maintain the recipient’s health, paramedical services include activities such as administration of medications, checking blood sugar, administering insulin injections, inserting a medical device into a body orifice; activities requiring sterile procedures; or range of motion to improve function. Special limitations apply.
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IHSS Career Pathways Program
Coming in Fall 2022
IHSS Career Pathways is an exciting, new initiative meant to provide training opportunities to IHSS providers in California. The IHSS Career Pathways Program will encourage recruitment and retention of providers for recipients while providing training opportunities to enhance providers skills and career opportunities.
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Program Goals
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Recruit, train, and retain a network of high-skilled care workers.
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Improve consumer experience and care outcomes.
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Support a career ladder that allows care workers to build their skills and opportunities for career advancement.
Educational Pathways
There will be five pathways available to the IHSS providers and will provide a wealth of health care educational knowledge.
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Category 1: General Pathways
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General Health and Safety for Caregivers
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Adult Education
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Category 2: Specialized Pathways
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Cognitive Impairments and Behavioral Health
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Complex Physical Care Needs
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Transitioning into In-Home Care
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Get Paid to Attend
Providers who choose to participate can get paid for the time in training and may qualify for payments for completing training in particular areas.
The system is being built now. More information to be available throughout 2022.
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Proposed Implementation Timeline
We are targeting the Career Pathways Program to be available in October 2022.
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Stakeholder Engagement
IHSS Career Pathways Stakeholder engagement meetings are expected to start in early 2022. Updates will be available at IHSS Career Pathways Program-Stakeholder Information.
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Contact Us - Please submit your questions to IHSSCareerPathways@dss.ca.gov
Resource and Reference - IHSS Career Pathways Resources
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