DPSS Online

To qualify for IHSS you must:

• Be 65 years old or older, blind, and/or a disabled as defined by Social Security Administration standards.
• Be a citizen of the United States or a qualified alien.
• Be a Resident of Los Angeles County.
• Live in your own home. Your own home is any place you choose to live (hospitals, nursing homes, and licensed community care facilities are not considered "own home").
• Either:

• Receive or be eligible to receive Supplemental Security Income/State Supplemental Payments (SSI/SSP), OR

• Meet all SSI/SSP eligibility criteria except for income or citizenship/immigration status.

Applications for IHSS can be made by calling:
1 (888) 944-IHSS [4477] or
1 (213) 744-IHSS [4477]

If you currently receive SSI/SSP payments from the Social Security Administration, a county Social Worker will interview you at your home to determine your eligibility and need for IHSS.

If you do not currently receive SSI/SSP, you must first be determined eligible to Medi-Cal under Medi-Cal rules and regulations. Your application will automatically go to a Medi-Cal Eligibility Worker for this determination. Once you are determined eligible to Medi-Cal, a Social Worker will visit your home to determine your eligibility and need for IHSS.

Based on your ability to safely perform certain tasks for yourself, the Social Worker will assess the types of IHSS services you need and authorize an amount of time for each one. The assessment of need includes information given by you and, if appropriate, by your family, friends, physician or other health care practitioner.

You will be notified if IHSS has been approved or denied. If denied, you will be notified of the reason for denial. If approved, you will be notified of the services and how many hours per month have been authorized for you.

If approved for IHSS, you must hire someone (your IHSS provider) to perform the authorized services. You, the IHSS consumer/recipient, are considered your provider's employer. It is your responsibility to hire, train, supervise, and if necessary, fire this individual.

If you need assistance locating a provider call the Personal Assistance Services Council (PASC). The PASC is the Public Authority for Los Angels County. They operate a Registry to provide referrals for IHSS consumers and providers. You may contact PASC at (877) 565-4477 for more information.

IHSS consumers who need assistance in locating a provider can also contact the Service Employees International Union, United Long Term Care Worker (ULTCW) Homecare Exchange Registry. The ULTCW union operates a Registry for IHSS consumers and providers. You may contact the Homecare Exchange Registry by calling 1-866-544-5742.

To add or change a provider, please call your Provider Clerk.

Your provider must complete or have completed all the following enrollment requirements before he/she can be paid as an IHSS provider:

• Attend an on-site provider orientation to obtain information about IHSS rules and requirements for being a provider;

• Complete and sign the IHSS Provider Enrollment Form (SOC 426). The form must be submitted to the county in person and original documentation verifying provider's identity (e.g. current photo identification and social security card) must be provided for photocopying by the county;

• Complete and sign the Provider Enrollment Agreement, SOC 846. The SOC 846 states that the provider understands and agrees to the rules of the IHSS program and the responsibilities of being an IHSS provider; and

• Submit fingerprints and pass a Criminal Background Investigation (CBI) from the Department of Justice. The provider is responsible for paying for this service.

Note: Providers cannot be enrolled and receive payment as IHSS providers until ALL of the above requirements have been completed, including passing a CBI.

Refer to the back of your Notice of Action for instructions on how to request a Fair Hearing. If you misplaced your notice of action, contact your Social Worker and ask him/her to provide you with a copy of the notice of action.

If you have any questions about your IHSS hours, please contact your IHSS Social Worker.

If your health condition has changed and you believe you need more assistance, please contact your IHSS Social Worker.

IHSS consumers/recipients who get IHSS services also have Medi-Cal. You, as an IHSS consumer/recipient, may have to pay a certain dollar amount each month toward your medical expenses. This dollar amount is called a Share of Cost (SOC). A SOC is similar to a private insurance plan's/recipient out-of-pocket deductible. Twice a month, both you and the provider who works for you will receive an "Explanation of IHSS SOC" letter that will tell you how much money to pay the provider. The SOC is part of provider's salary. You, as the IHSS consumer, must pay the SOC, if any, to the provider monthly. The SOC may change from month to month.