To be eligible for IHSS, you must be one of the following; 65 years of age or older, legally blind, a disabled adult, or a disabled child.  You must also:

·         Be a California resident.

·         Live in your own home.  Your own is any place you choose to live, except a nursing home or other out-of-home care facility, licensed or not.

·         Be a United States citizen or an immigrant lawfully admitted for permanent residence.

·         Currently be on Medi-Cal in the county you are applying for IHSS services.

·         Either:

o   Receive or be eligible to receive Supplemental Security Income / State Supplemental Payments (SSI / SSP).

OR

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

·         If you do not receive SSI / SSP, your income and personal property will be used to determine your eligibility for IHSS. 

 

Other Criteria for IHSS

 

·         Income:  If your income is above the SSI / SSP limits, you may be required to pay for a portion of your IHSS benefits.  This is called a “Share of Cost”. 

·         Personal property may not exceed $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple.  

·         Property that is not included in determining eligibility includes:

o   The home you own and live in

o   One vehicle required for transportation to and from medical appointments / work

o   All life insurance policies, if the combined face value is not more than $1,500

·         Property that is included in determining eligibility includes: 

o   Cash on hand

o   Checking and savings accounts

o   Value of stocks, bonds and trust deeds

o   Real property other than the home you own and live in

o   Additional automobiles and recreational vehicles

o   Promissory notes and loans

 

How to Apply for IHSS

 

·                 Call the ODAS IHSS referral line at (707) 784-8259, option 2, during regular office hours 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, except holidays and provide as much of the information below as is known regarding the person who is in need of IHSS:

o   Name, gender, address, phone number, date of birth, social security number, ethnicity, language spoken; guardian / contact’s name, relationship and phone number; services being requested; diagnosis and symptoms; primary medical provider, their phone number, name of insurance coverage and medical record number; names and relationships of others in the home; name of current / prospective care provider (if any) and whether there is smoking or pets in the home.

·                 There may be a waiting list.

  

To report suspected fraud in the In-Home Supportive Services program, call (707) 784-8259.