The In-Home Supportive Services IHSS program provides homecare services to Medi-Cal eligible aged, blind or individuals with disabilities, including children, to assist them to remain safely in their own homes as an alternative to out-of-home care.
IHSS is the largest home and community-based program available in California. Some special needs individuals who may qualify for IHSS services are: children with disabilities, hospice patients, and hospital discharge patients. The In-Home Supportive Services IHSS Program has made the following changes to our operations to protect the health and safety of you, our staff and community, so please read the following important updates here. For information and general assistance, please call the Aging and Adult Services hotline at: If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call If you need assistance completing the Referral Form , please contact our Aging and Adult Services Hotline at Types of services may include help with preparing meals, bathing, dressing, laundry, shopping or medical accompaniment.
Some types of paramedical services may also be provided, such as wound care. IHSS can also provide protective supervision for people who need their provider to watch them for unsafe behavior such as wandering outside and getting lost.
Read below for more detailed information about IHSS eligibility requirements and how to apply. If you require assistance with the online Referral Form, please call the Aging and Adult Services Hotline A social worker will call you back to schedule a home visit 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 IHSS tasks that 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 of your eligibility for IHSS by mail. The mailed notice will include the eligibility decision, and if authorized, the total number of hours an independent provider could be paid to provide you assistance in your home. Once your needs for IHSS services are determined, you must hire someone, known as an independent provider, to provide those services.
