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What
is In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)?
The In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program is, and will continue
to be, California’s largest and most important in-home care
program. The IHSS program provides personal and domestic services
to aged, blind or disabled individuals in their own homes. Individuals
who perform these services are called providers. Individuals who
receive these benefits are called consumers. The purpose of this
program is to allow the consumers to live safely at home, rather
than in costly and less desirable out-of-home placement facilities.
IHSS pays providers (also called home care workers or personal
care assistants) to provide personal care, such as feeding and
bathing; transportation; protective supervision; and certain paramedical
services ordered by a physician. Providers may also perform household
tasks for consumers such as laundry, shopping, meal preparation
and light housecleaning.
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What is the Public Authority?
The Public Authority is the employer of record for IHSS providers.
The Public Authority is mandated by the State of California. It
is separate from the county and has all the ability to carry out
the delivery of in-home supportive services. The Public Authority
was created specifically as a program improvement for consumers
and providers.
Public Authority services are provided at no cost to consumers
and providers who meet specific qualifications.
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What is the Public Authority’s
role within IHSS?
The significant role the Public Authority fulfills for IHSS is
to offer services that assist consumers with greater access to
providers. This has been accomplished by creating a provider registry.
A provider registry is a computerized data base listing qualified
and screened IHSS providers. These services offered by the Public
Authority provide consumers with a greater level of confidence
when hiring providers. Aside from establishing a registry, the
Public Authority is also responsible for: 1) investigating the
qualifications and background of potential providers, 2) establishing
a referral system to connect providers with consumers, 3) providing
for training for consumers and providers, 4) performing any other
function related to the delivery of IHSS.
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Does the consumer have
any control in choosing a provider?
Yes, while IHSS regulations determine the range of services,
it is the consumer who drives the program. The consumer decides
how the authorized services will be provided. The consumer is
entirely responsible for hiring, supervising, and if necessary,
terminating individual providers. The Public Authority’s
role is to improve the quality of service without interfering
with consumer control.
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How is IHSS funded and
administered?
IHSS is financially supported through a complex combination of
federal, state, and county funding sources. IHSS social workers
determine consumers’ program eligibility, including the number
of hours and type of services each consumer requires to remain
safe in their home.
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Who Pays for IHSS consumer
services?
To qualify for IHSS, individuals must meet specific income and
disability requirements. Services are provided without cost to
Supplemental Security Income and/or State Supplemental Payment
consumers.
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How can I find out if I qualify
for IHSS?
If you are a resident of Butte County, you can contact IHSS intake
by calling 530-538-7538. IHSS social workers meet directly with
the consumer and evaluate what the consumer can and cannot do
safely for him/herself. It is important to stress that the IHSS
program is based on a social model – one that relies on social
worker assessment. The social model focuses on activities of daily
living and the ability of IHSS consumers to function safely in
their own homes.
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How long will it take before
I know if I qualify for IHSS?
The application process can take between 30-45 days, depending
on each individual case. In many cases, the consumer must also
apply for Medi-Cal. Emergency situations are priority and are
processed immediately.
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What happens once I am qualified
to receive IHSS?
The consumer will hire the provider of his/her choice. If the
consumer does not have a provider, the Public Authority will assist
in this process. Upon request, a Public Authority Services Specialist
will supply the consumer with a list of screened providers. The
list of providers will be appropriately matched to each consumer’s
particular needs. The consumer can then interview prospective
providers from this list and hire the one they prefer.
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Who determines how many
hours the provider can work?
An IHSS social worker will determine exactly how many hours of
service per month each consumer is eligible to receive. The hours
allotted will depend on what activities the consumer can no longer
do safely on their own.
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What happens if
I am not satisfied with the provider I hired?
The consumer should be fully comfortable and satisfied with his/her
provider of choice. If for whatever reason a provider needs to
be replaced, the consumer, as the employer, has the ability to
terminate that provider and hire a different one.
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What will I do if my
income is too high to qualify for IHSS, but I need a health care
provider?
Consumers with higher income may be eligible for the program
by paying a share of the cost of services.
Consumers who do not qualify for IHSS will be referred to an agency
which can assist them in finding a private provider.
If you do not qualify for IHSS, click here
for a list of private local agencies that can assist you.
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