About In-Home Supportive Services

 

In Home Supportive Services (IHSS) is a federal, state, and locally funded program designed to provide assistance to eligible aged, blind, and disabled individuals who, without this care, would be unable to remain safely in their own homes, and would be at risk of being placed in a care facility. IHSS is considered an alternative to out-of-home care, such as nursing homes or board and care facilities.

 Some services that can be authorized through IHSS include: housecleaning, meal preparation, laundry, grocery shopping, personal care services, accompaniment to medical appointments, and protective supervision for the mentally impaired.

For a Youtube video explaining In Home Supportive Services please click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=YrlZbvg_nZE

 

Eligibility

 

Who can use this service?

To be eligible for IHSS Services, a person must meet the following conditions:

•        Be disabled, blind, or age 65 or older (children potentially eligible)

·         Must physically reside in the San Joaquin County. 

•        Unable to live safely in their own home without assistance (acute care hospital, long-term care facilities, and license community care facilities are not considered “own home”).

•        Meet financial need requirement

•        Must have Medi-Cal: https://www.c4yourself.com/c4yourself/index.jsp Eligibility.  [*Note: If you cannot qualify for Medi-Cal please call 209-468-1104 for referrals to other possible options for assistance]

•        Must submit a completed Health Care Certification form. (see Step 2 below for more information)

Who can make a referral?   Anyone who recognizes a person is in need of in-home assistance may make a referral to IHSS.

 

Application Process

 

>>Step 1: Complete an Application and Health Certification

These forms can be found on the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) website or by clicking the links below.

APPLICATION (SOC 295)

ENGLISH: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/FMUForms/Q-T/SOC295.pdf

SPANISH: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/TranslatedForms/Spanish/SOC_295_Spanish.pdf?ver=2018-11-21-140233-913

HEALTH CARE CERTIFICATION (SOC 873):

https://cdss.ca.gov/cdssweb/entres/forms/english/soc873.pdf

LARGE FONT FORMS:

https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/FMUForms/Q-T/SOC295L.pdf

https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/FMUForms/Q-T/SOC873L.pdf?ver=2019-04-12-155911-980

 Once you have completed the application and your medical doctor has completed the Healthcare Certification please submit all documents:

*A completed Application and Health Care Certification must be received before the County can authorize services.

>>Step 2: County Social Worker Assessment

A County Social Worker will interview an applicant in their home to determine eligibility and need for IHSS. Based on ability to safely perform certain tasks for themselves, the Social Worker assesses the types of services needed and number of hours authorized for each service. The assessment includes information from applicant and, if appropriate, their family, friends, physician or other licensed health care professionals.

>>Step 3: Applicant Notified

An applicant is notified if IHSS has been approved or denied. If an applicant is denied, the applicant is notified of reason for denial and how to appeal the denial. If an applicant is approved, the applicant is notified of services and number of hours that are authorized per month for those services.

>>Step 4: Applicant Approved

If an applicant is approved for IHSS, the Recipient must hire a Provider (caregiver) to perform the authorized services. The Recipient is considered the Provider's employer, and therefore it is the Recipient's responsibility to hire, train, supervise, and fire the individual Provider. The Provider can be a family member or friend. All Providers must register with IHSS.

 

>>To start an IHSS referral by phone:  If you are having difficulty applying please call Information and Assistance at 209-468-1104 and start an application by phone.  Be prepared with the following information regarding the recipient who needs service:

1.      Name

2.      Address

3.      Mailing address

4.      Contact phone number

5.      Date of Birth

6.      Social Security number

7.      Primary language

8.      Name and date of birth of anyone in the home already receiving IHSS

9.      Number of people living in the house hold

10.  Doctor’s name and phone number

11.  Medical Conditions

12.  Recent hospitalizations

13.  Areas of need or concern

Or submit and complete an electronic referral online through SimpliGov, click here. You can also submit a referral online Service Referral and Follow-up Summary (SJ 30A form), and either fax it to: 209-932-2663, email it to: aginginfo@sjgov.org, or mail to: San Joaquin County Human Services Agency, PO Box 201056, Stockton CA 95201. For more information or assistance completing the referral form by phone, call 209-468-1104.

 

Public Authority

 

If a Recipient does not have a Provider (caregiver), a Recipient may hire a Provider from the IHSS Public Authority: https://www.sanjoaquincares.com/:  Caregiver Registry.  Contact Public Authority (209) 468-3397 for a list of available Providers.

A Provider is one who is providing services to an IHSS Recipient in their home. The San Joaquin County IHSS Public Authority can help with training in CPR, First Aid & AED, help filling out timesheets, and direct deposit forms