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In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)

In-Home Supportive Services, also known as IHSS, can help pay for services if you’re a low-income elderly, blind or disabled individual, including children, so that you can remain safely in your own home. IHSS is considered an alternative to out-of-home care, such as nursing homes or board and care facilities.

Important Announcement

FREE COVID-19 VACCINE NOW AVAILABLE FOR ALL IHSS PROVIDERS AND RECIPIENTS AGE 16 YEARS AND OLDER

Free vaccinations are available by appointment only. The Department of Public Health (DPH) developed a vaccination plan in three phases of prioritization with sub-phases and tiers. Free vaccines are currently being offered to all IHSS providers as part of the Phase 1A Tier 2 and recipients age 16 years and older as part of the Phase 1B roll-out group.

IHSS providers and recipients age 16+ who want to be vaccinated can schedule a free appointment or find more information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine on the DPH website: www.vaccinateLACounty.com

If you do not have a computer or need help with scheduling appointment, please contact the DPH Telephone Help Line at (833) 540-0473 between 8:00am - 8:30pm, 7 days a week.

Important: If you are unable to attend your appointment or make another appointment, please cancel the original appointment in order to open the time slot for others. 

Providers will need to bring the following verifications to their vaccination appointment:

  • Photo Identification (driver’s license, state-issued ID card, etc.);
  • IHSS paystub; and
  • Provider confirmation letter with the IHSS letterhead

Recipients age 16-64 will need to bring the following verifications to their vaccination appointment:

  • IHSS Recipient Vaccine Notice (This letter was mailed to you by the California Department of Social Services);
  • Photo Identification (driver’s license, state-issued ID card, etc.); and
  • Proof that you live in LA County, must show your name and address (driver’s license, state-issued ID card, rent receipt, utility bill, vehicle registration, etc.)

Recipients age 65+ will need to bring the following verifications to their vaccination appointment:

  • Proof of age (driver’s license, state-issued ID card, passport, etc.); and
  • Proof that you live in LA County, must show your name and address (driver’s license, state-issued ID card, rent receipt, utility bill, vehicle registration, etc.)

Providers can schedule the same appointment as their recipients for the convenience of providing IHSS services during the vaccination appointment.

            Note: Providers and recipients must have their own appointments.

For more information on how the vaccine is prioritized and allocated, visit: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/acd/ncorona2019/vaccine/allocation/

Additional information on the COVID-19 vaccine will be released as it becomes available.

Customer Support At Your Fingertips

DPSS offers IHSS providers and recipients an online customer service center to access program information, submit questions through a helpdesk system and chat live with a DPSS agent during normal business hours.

Graphic with a person looking at a computer screen and text that reads “Connect with IHSS Online. Get program information, submit questions online, chat with a DPSS agent. Visit the IHSS Helpline Community.”
Caregiver Pushing Senior Woman In Wheelchair Outside Home
Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility criteria for all IHSS applicants and recipients:

  • You must physically reside in the United States. 
  • You must be a California resident.
  • You must apply for Medi-Cal if you are not already receiving.
  • You must live at home or a dwelling of your own choosing (acute care hospital, long-term care facilities, and licensed community care facilities are not considered "own home").
  • You must submit a completed Health Care Certification form.
Caregiver and Health Care Professional
How the Program Works
  • A county social worker will interview 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 types of services you need and the number of hours the county will authorize for each of these services. This assessment will include information given by you and, if appropriate, by your family, friends, physician or other licensed health care professional.
  • You must have a physician or other licensed health care professional fill out a Health Care Certification (SOC 873) form and you must return it to the county before care services can be authorized.
  • You will be notified if your application for IHSS has been approved or denied. If denied, you will be notified of the reason for the denial. If approved, you will be notified of the service authorizations including, the number of hours per month which have been authorized for you.
  • If you are approved for IHSS, you must hire someone (your individual provider) to perform the authorized services.  You are considered your provider's employer and, therefore, it is your responsibility to hire, train, supervise, and fire your provider.
  • Care providers may be family members, friends, neighbors or registered providers through the Public Authority.
  • You can contact the PASC for assistance in locating a provider to interview for hire.
Important Program Information
Apply By Mail

Complete the SOC 295 Application For IHSS

Print and mail to:

  • IHSS Application
  • 2707 S. Grand Ave.
  • Los Angeles, CA 90007

 

Apply By Phone

You can apply for IHSS by calling:

  1. Toll Free Number (888) 944 – IHSS (4477)
  2. Local Number (213) 744 – IHSS (4477)
  3. OR
  4. IHSS Helpline Mon-Fri from 8AM - 5PM
Apply By Secure Fax (eFax)

Print and fax the IHSS application to:

Metro IHSS (213) 947-4591

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How to Submit Requested Documents

You can fax requested documents to your IHSS District Office using its secure fax:

  IHSS Office                            eFax #

  Burbank                           (818) 563-9105

  Chatsworth                      (818) 450-0241

  El Monte                          (626) 380-4960

  Hawthorne                       (310) 943-2125

  Lancaster                         (661) 424-7849

  Metro IHSS                      (213) 947-4591

  Pomona                           (909) 752-9402

  Rancho Dominguez         (310) 943-0361   

 

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Male caretaker helping senior man with walker in nursing home