In-Home Supportive Services
(IHSS)
In-Home Supportive Services
(IHSS)
In-Home Supportive Services, or IHSS, is a program to help people stay safe in their homes. It gives help to older people, people who are blind, and those who have long-lasting disabilities. Disabled children might also get help from IHSS. It’s better for many people than leaving home to live in nursing homes or assisted living.
If you are approved, IHSS can help you with everyday needs. Things like:
- Cleaning your home (housekeeping)
- Grocery shopping
- Cooking meals and cleaning up after
- Going to doctor’s appointments
- Helping you eat (if you need it)
- Taking care of breathing equipment
- Help when you can’t control your bladder or bowels
- Bathing and help with hygiene
- Getting dressed
- Helping with medicines
- Taking care of your teeth, nails, and hair
You can get IHSS help if you meet all of these:
- You are 65 or older, or you are blind, or you have a permanent disability.
- You live in California.
- You are eligible for Medi-Cal.
- You live in your own home or somewhere you choose, not in a nursing facility or hospital.
- You fill out a Health Certification form.
- Call the IHSS office in Contra Costa County at (925) 229-8434.
- You don’t need to go to the office. Someone will come to your home.
- When your Health Care Certification (form SOC 873) is done, a social worker will visit your home. The social worker will talk with you (and family or doctors, if needed) to see what help you need.
- After that, you’ll be told if you are approved or not. If approved, you’ll know which services you get and how many hours per month. If not, you’ll be told why.
- You can pick someone you want as your caregiver. The caregiver could be a friend or family member.
- If you don’t know someone, there’s a registry. The registry helps find workers who match what you need. They’ll give you a list of 3-6 people. You can call them and pick whom you want to work with.
- Caregivers get paid after they work. They are covered by certain rules and insurance.