Eligibility and Application

Overview

The In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Program provides people who have disabilities or are over the age of 65 with in-home and personal care services to help them live safely in their own home or maintain an independent living arrangement. Services available are:

  • Domestic services such as sweeping, vacuuming, taking out the garbage, wheelchair cleaning and battery recharging, and changing bed linens;
  • Related services such as meal preparation and clean-up, laundry and shopping;
  • Personal care services such as feeding, bathing, grooming, dressing, bowel and bladder care, and help with medications;
  • Transportation to medical appointments or alternative sources of services like day programs;
  • Removal and clean-up of yard hazards;
  • Heavy cleaning;
  • Protective supervision for cognitively or mentally impaired individuals to safeguard from self injury or hazard; and
  • Paramedical services, as ordered by a physician such as injections, range of motion exercises, catheter insertion, etc.

IHSS is often seen as an alternative to assisted living or nursing facilities. The program is funded by state, county and federal dollars. Personal care services can now be provided at the workplace as well.

Who Can Be Eligible for IHSS?

Any California resident, living in his/her own home, who is already eligible for Medi-Cal can be eligible for IHSS.

The four eligibility categories people with disabilities most often use to get on Medi-Cal are:

  • SSI-linked Medi-Cal
  • Aged and Disabled Federal Poverty Level Medi-Cal
  • California’s Working Disabled Program
  • Aged, Blind, and Disabled Medically Needy Medi-Cal

See DB101’s Medi-Cal program description for more details on these categories.

Note that acute care hospitals, long-term care facilities, and community care facilities are not considered one’s “own home.” If you live in such a facility and meet the other IHSS eligibility criteria above, you may still be eligible for the program if you plan to live on your own in the future and can do so safely. If this situation applies to you, IHSS is required to go to your facility to do a needs assessment there before you are released.

The same resource limits that apply to SSI-linked Medi-Cal apply to IHSS (less than $2,000 in personal property for an individual; $3,000 for a couple—one home, one car used to get to medical appointments, and life insurance with a combined face value under $1,500 do not count as personal property).

Income rules for IHSS can vary depending upon which Medi-Cal category you are enrolled in.

Getting Started

  • Call or visit your local county Medi-Cal office to complete an IHSS application. Once IHSS receives the application, a caseworker will be assigned to conduct a needs assessment.
  • Needs assessment: Your caseworker will come to your home to interview you to determine if you qualify for IHSS. They will also ask you a series of questions about your mental and physical abilities to determine what tasks you can perform safely and what you might need help with. They will also evaluate your living and social situation.
  • After the needs assessment, IHSS will contact you to let you know if you have been approved or denied. If approved, you will be notified of the services and number of hours authorized. If services are denied or you are not happy with the number of hours authorized, you have the right to appeal. The appeals procedure is outlined on the back of the notice you receive.