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Resources

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Important Information and Contacts for Caregivers and Care-Seekers

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

  • A federally funded state-wide program that aims to provide non-medical care for all low-income US citizens who qualify
  • A County-operated program which background checks personnel who apply, to then be hired to work for California Residents who apply and need in-home care due to disability, age, or both

What is an IHSS Caregiver?

  • A California Resident who, through the federally funded state-wide program, visits people who need care in their home and helps them with their non-medical needs

  • Applicants are not required to have a medical background or nursing degree. They are only expected to provide the care that Clients cannot do for themselves. Caregivers will be given paperwork which describes the type of work they have been approved to provide for each Clients particular needs. This is determined during an interview with the Client during the sign-up process​

What if I need a Caregiver at night?

  • There are those aging who have different needs whether it be monitoring or changing diapers in the evening. This is a different program than IHSS called WPCS. An additional interview and sign-up process is required for this evening care program to take effect

  • WPCS Hotline: (916) 552-9214

  • Waiver participants and providers, please email your comments and questions regarding the HCBA Waiver to: HCBAlternatives@dhcs.ca.gov  or call toll-free (833) 388-4551

Who can become an IHSS or WPCS Caregiver?​

  • Any US Citizen who is a California Resident and who has not committed any “Tier 1” Convictions or “Tier 2 Exclusionary” Crimes in the past 10 years​

  • Be a citizen of the United States or have “qualified immigration” status and physically reside in the United States.

How Do I become an IHSS Caregiver?​

  1. Complete and Sign the “IHSS Program Provider Enrollment Form” and return it in person or mail it to your local IHSS or Public Authority office (you will be background checked after submitting this form)

  2. You will be called by IHSS for your next steps once your paperwork has been filed in their system

  3. Complete an interview (bring your original Social Security card- can not be a copy)

    • You can get a new Certified Social Security card at your local Social Security office (you will need your original Birth Certificate- can not be a copy- which you can obtain from the Vital Records office of the County you were born in or online at their "Vital Records" website)

  4. Get Fingerprinted and submit it to your local IHSS or Public Authority office

  5. Attend a Provider Orientation in person (contact your county's Public Authority to find your Orientation Schedule)

  6. Sign the “New Provider Enrollment Agreement Form” (SOC 846) after orientation is completed and return it your local IHSS or Public Authority office 

  7. Register your new online account (https://etimesheets.ihss.ca.gov/login) (you will need your Provider Number for this). You will use this website to submit your future Timesheets!

  8. You will complete a video training session and then you will be able to use your etimesheets account for submitting your work hours bi-monthly

  • You can start work for your client up to 90 days before your paperwork is completed! Your client has to call IHSS to initiate this process. You will be backdated and paid for your time upon completion of hiring. If your application is denied, you can appeal by calling (877) 762-0702 with more information at (https://ihssappeal.com/)

How Do I become an WPCS Caregiver?​

  • Talk to your Client's IHSS Social Worker to see if they qualify for a WPCS Caregiver and ask them for pertaining resources

  • WPCS Hotline: (916) 552-9214

  • Waiver participants and providers, please email your comments and questions regarding the HCBA Waiver to: HCBAlternatives@dhcs.ca.gov or call toll-free (833) 388-4551

Who can become an IHSS Client?​

  • A limited income individual on Medi-cal who lives in their own home and who is disabled, blind, and/or over the age of 65

  • Disabled Children also qualify for IHSS care when they come from a low-income family (receipt of SSI means automatic eligibility). If their income is too high for SSI, they may qualify for IHSS but with a share of the cost

How Do I become an IHSS Client?​

  1. Call IHSS at (707) 565 - 5700 to start the process

  2. A county social worker will schedule an interview with you, at your home, to determine your eligibility and needs pertaining to what IHSS can offer. 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 professionals

  3. Complete the Health Care Certification (SOC 295) and send it to the county to be authorized

  4. You will be notified if IHSS has been approved or denied. If approved, you will be notified of the services and the number of hours per month which have been authorized for you. If your application is denied you will be notified of the reason for denial and you can appeal by calling (877) 762-0702 and there's more information at (https://ihssappeal.com/)

  5. If you are approved for IHSS, you must hire someone (not limited to but can be hired through this platform) 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.

How do I sign my Child up for IHSS?​

  • Call IHSS at (707) 565 - 5700 and start the process by filling out the (SOC 295) form. You as the parent/legal guardian also have the opportunity to become your Child's IHSS Caregiver.

  • The IHSS Program is funded through four sub programs: the Community First Choice Option (CFCO), the Personal Care Services Program (PCSP), the IHSS Plus Option (IPO), and IHSS-Residual (IHSS-R) which each have specific program requirements. Only when a minor is enrolled in the IHSS sub program, PCSP, is a parent not permitted to be their minor child’s provider as this is restricted by federal program rules.

  • However, effective 60 days after the publication of ACL 23-106, minor recipients, who are in CFCO, IPO, or IHSS-R, may hire any provider that successfully completes provider enrollment. Parents who wish to provide IHSS to their minor child should inform the county of their provider preference so this information may be taken into account when determining IHSS Program eligibility. Choosing to have a parent as a provider will not impact IHSS eligibility; however, it will determine which IHSS program the minor is placed in​

What is the Public Authority?​

  • IHSS is the name of the program to which the Caregiver works for, but the Public Authority is an esteemed group of individuals working to help you navigate the IHSS system by answering any applicable questions you may have surrounding the program

How to approve your Caregivers hours?​

  • To sign up for the Telephone Timesheet System (TTS), call IHSS at (415) 557-6200 or your IHSS Social Worker

  • To approve timesheets by TTS, call (833) 342-5388 or (833) DIAL-EVV

  • Or log in to the ESP: Go to etimesheets.ihss.ca.gov/login

How to submit Caregiver hours?​​

  • Log in to the ESP: Go to etimesheets.ihss.ca.gov/login

  • Go to "Timesheet Entry"

  • Click the Blue arrow next to your Client's name

  • Click the correct date on the drop down menu

  • Submit hours accordingly

  • If you require assistance and need to contact IHSS Payroll, Call your county's Public Authority office and they will connect you

  • State and County staff will never contact you and ask you for your ESP username or password. If you have been contacted by someone requesting your username and password, please call the IHSS Service Desk at (866) 376-7066. Service Desk Agents are available Monday – Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  • Direct Deposit users can choose to receive paperless paystubs through their own ESP account. Learn more at the “What’s New” section of your ESP account or at https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/cdss-programs/ihss/ihss-provider-resources/ihss-paperless-options

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Enjoy these benefits if you choose to join our Union SEIU2015: 

Financial, Insurance, Travel, Discounts, Higher Education, Legal Services, and Hardship & Disaster Relief (https://www.seiumb.com/)

The union has fought on our behalf for years, gaining us benefits and increased wages that we would have gone without! 

 

If you have any questions please call the Public Authority at (707) 565 - 5700

Or In-Home Supportive Services IHSS at (707) 565 - 5900

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More Relevant Websites and Important Forms

All County IHSS Offices

Transportation Aid

IHSS Information CDSS Website

Sonoma County Adult & Aging Resources Website

Sonoma County IHSS Adult & Aging Website

California Department of Social Services IHSS Website

Introduction to the IHSS Program Video

Understanding IHSS Eligibility and the Application Process Video

Understanding IHSS Recipient and Provider Responsibilities Video

Understanding the Needs Assessment Video

SOC 295 Application to get IHSS Care form

SOC 846 Application to become an IHSS Caregiver form

Adult Protective Services

IHSS for Children

IHSS Recipient Resource

IHSS Provider Resource

IHSS Stakeholder Resource

IHSS Emergency Resources

WPCS HCBA Evening Care Website

Report Abuse or Suspect Fraud?

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