The In-Home Supportive Services Program (IHSS) provides people who are blind, disabled, or over the age of 65 with personal assistance and in-home support services so they can live safely in their homes. Services range from assistance with household chores to personal care such as dressing and bathing to paramedical services. The program is often seen as an alternative to assisted living or nursing facilities.

If you meet eligibility criteria, a county social worker will conduct a needs assessment to determine the types of IHSS services you require and the number of hours that will be paid for by the program. IHSS recipients may qualify for up to 283 hours of service per month. Recent legislation allows for the use of some IHSS services at the workplace.

2010 IHSS Program Changes

In 2009, changes to the IHSS program were passed by the California State Legislature and signed into law by the governor. Some of these changes have not been implemented due to law suits and a temporary injunction issued by a Federal judge. Other changes to the IHSS program have taken effect, including new provider enrollment procedures and an elimination of the IHSS Share of Cost buyout program. Please read about these changes in the links below. We are in the process of updating the DB101 IHSS pages to reflect these changes, and will monitor new changes to the IHSS program in 2012.

Please visit the following websites for more information on changes to the IHSS program (and the status of the law suits related to IHSS):