In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)

The In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Program pays for services that enable eligible individuals who are disabled (including children) and seniors to remain safely in their own homes. The IHSS Program includes personal care services such as bathing, grooming and dressing; domestic services such as cooking, house cleaning and laundry; protective supervision for individuals with mental impairment; paramedical services such as assistance with medications, bowel and bladder care, and catheter insertion; and accompaniment to medical appointments. IHSS is an alternative to costly institutional care.

Who Qualifies to Receive IHSS?

How Does A Person Apply?

What Does A Person Do Once Approved for IHSS?

How Are IHSS Payments Made?

Who Qualifies to Receive IHSS?

To be eligible for the IHSS Program a person must;

1. Receive or be eligible to receive SSI/SSP or Medi-Cal benefits
2. Be 65 years old or over, or legally blind, or disabled by Social Security standards
3. Live in his/her own home
4. Be a U.S. citizen or a lawful resident of the State of California

Other Criteria:

1. Income: A person whose income is above the SSI/SSP limits may be required to pay for a portion of his/her IHSS benefits. This is called a "Share of Cost".
2. Personal Property: An applicant's personal property may not exceed $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple. Property that is counted includes cash, checking and savings accounts, the value of stocks, bonds, trust deeds, real property, additional automobiles and recreational vehicles, promissory notes and loans. Property that is not counted includes the home the person owns and lives in, one automobile and all life insurance polices if the combined face value is not more than $1,500.

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How Does A Person Apply?

IHSS in Los Angeles County is administered by the Department of Public Social Services (DPSS). DPSS is responsible for determining the eligibility of potential IHSS consumers and takes applications for IHSS through the “IHSS Application Hotline,” which can be reached at 888-944-4477 or TTY: 1-800-735-2922. After the initial call, a county social worker will schedule an in-home interview with the potential IHSS recipient. Using information gathered during the in-home interview, DPSS will complete an assessment of the person’s needs and determine whether or not he/she qualifies to receive IHSS.

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What Does A Person Do Once Approved for IHSS?

Once approved for IHSS, it is the responsibility of the recipient, or consumer, to hire his/or her own homecare provider and to act as the provider’s employer. This includes all training, supervision, and maintaining or terminating the employment relationship. Wages for the homecare provider will be paid through a combination of Federal, State and County funds. Also, if the recipient or consumer has a Share of Cost, it is his/her responsibility to pay the Share of Cost to the homecare provider once a month.

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How are IHSS Payments Made?

There are two ways in which IHSS payments are made: Advanced and arrears. Advanced pay is a payment option available only to IHSS consumers with severe disabilities. Under this option, a check is mailed directly to the IHSS consumer at the beginning of each month and he/she pays the homecare provider(s). The arrears option is that in which payment is made directly to the homecare provider(s) on a bi-weekly basis.

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Phone 818-206-7000 | Toll Free 877-565-4477 | Fax 818-206-8000 | TTY 818-206-7015

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