What is In Home Supportive Services (IHSS)?

The IHSS Program provides assistance to eligible aged, blind and disabled individuals who are unable to remain safely in their own homes without this assistance. It is an alternative to out of home care, such as skilled nursing or board and care. The person applying for IHSS must live in their own home, which means the place in which the individual chooses to reside. This does not include an acute hospital, skilled nursing, board and care or intermediate care.

How Do I Qualify?

To be eligible a person must:
1. Be a California resident
2. Currently receive SSI/SSP benefits
3. Must not be receiving SSI/SSP payment for non-medical out of home care
4. Or must be all SSI eligibility criteria and pay a share of cost
5. Must live in their own home
6. Must have a disability that will last a year or longer

Once a person is eligible for IHSS, they remain so as long as disability limits their ability to do certain tasks, as long as they are safe in their home or until they no longer want the program. Services can continue for a few weeks, months or years.

What Type of Services Can IHSS Provide?

County staff Social Workers determine the person's level of ability and dependence on assistance by another by an assessment based on State regulations. Along with a doctor's evaluation, staff will assess the effect of physical disability, cognitive and emotional functioning and assign time for tasks identified as needed by a person requesting IHSS assistance. Through County, State and federal funds, the IHSS program can pay a provider to give assistance, as determined by the County social worker in area of need such as:
• Housework
• Laundry
• Shopping and errands
• Meal preparation and clean up
• Eating
• Mobility inside the home
• Bathing and grooming
• Dressing
• Bowel, bladder and menstrual assistance
• Moving in and out of bed
• Repositioning and skin care
• Respiratory care
• M.D. supervised paramedical services
• Transportation to M.D. and other medical appointment

Who Could Be My Caregiver?

The IHSS recipient may hire anyone they choose to act as their care provider. The person giving care is paid through the state pay rolling system as an employee of the person needing the care, through a time sheet system just like most jobs. Family members, spouses, friends, neighbors and professional care givers may all be hired under the IHSS program at the discretion of the recipient. The recipient must supervise and keep track of the authorized hours worked by their caregiver, sign time sheets and assure work authorized by the program is completed. Hourly wage for the IHSS program varies from county to county in California. If a recipient would like to have assistance in finding a care provider they may contact Nevada Sierra Regional In-Home Supportive Services Public Authority at 530-274-5601.

Where Can Apply For IHSS?

The IHSS program exists in all of the counties in California. You can apply by phone or in person through your local Social Services Department. Applications are sent to you and returned by mail. If you do not receive SSI/SSP you may be asked to provide information on your financial situation. After approval for the program you will be visited in your home by a county social worker to discuss your needs and for assessment of care hours.

Websites of interest

CA State IHSS/Quality Assurance Website http://www.dss.cahwnet.gov/dapd/

The IHSS Public Authority http://www.ns-pa.org

Nevada County
Social Services Department
P.O. Box 1210
Nevada City, CA 95959
530-265-1639