I need In-Home Supportive Services
You may get services at home from family, a friend, or a provider from the Public Authority Registry. IHSS pays for the services and recipients are responsible for hiring, supervising, and scheduling. They are also responsible for signing timesheets and firing providers who do not perform services as specified.
Do I Qualify?
You may be approved for IHSS if you live in your own home in Santa Clara County and are blind, live with a disability, or are 65 or older.
You must also have a Medi-Cal eligibility determination. If you do not have Medi-Cal, please call 1-877-962-3633 or visit BenefitsCal.com for details or to apply.
You must also fill out and send in a Health Care Certification Form.
IHSS can help you with:
- Housecleaning
- Cooking
- Shopping
- Laundry
- Taking you to and from the doctor
- Caring for yourself, like dressing, bathing, feeding, using the bathroom
- Other care that your doctor asks you to do at home
IHSS can NOT help you with:
- Moving furniture
- Paying bills
- Reading mail to you
- Caring for pets and service animals
- Gardening
- Fixing things in your home
- Sitting with you to visit or watch TV
- Taking you out for fun
How to get IHSS
1. Fill out an application
Call IHSS at (408) 792-1600 or fill out the application and send it in by mail, email, fax, or bring it in person to the IHSS office.
Mail
In-Home Supportive Services
PO Box 11018
San Jose, CA 95103-1018
Email
[email protected]
Fax
(408) 792-1601
In Person
353 W. Julian Street, San Jose
2. Health Certification Form
Have your doctor fill out a Health Care Certification Form. This form must be filled out and signed before you can get IHSS.
3. Home Visit
A social worker will come to your home to see what types and how many hours of help you need. They will need to see your medical condition, living arrangement, and any resources that may already be available.
4. Letter from IHSS
The county will send you a letter (Notice of Action) telling you if you have been approved for IHSS. It will tell you what services you may use, how much time is allowed for each service, and the number of hours of service each month.
5. Hiring a caregiver
When services have been approved, you can hire one or more people to care for you. A friend or family member may be your caregiver or you may hire from the IHSS Public Authority Caregiver Registry.
Your caregiver must take all the steps needed before starting work. You or your caregiver can call the Public Authority for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
After the caregiver begins working, they will fill out timesheets two times per month.
There are two pay periods: from the first through the 15th and the 16th through the end of the month. Caregivers will fill out timesheets based on the hours they have care for you.
IHSS caregivers must use Electronic Timesheets. Both you and your caregiver must create an account on the Electronic Services Portal.
Once IHSS receives your signed Health Certification Form and proof of Medi-Cal eligibility, a social worker will be assigned to you. The social worker will call you to set up a home visit.
The social worker who comes to your home will give you a business card with their phone number and email address. The social worker’s name is also on the letter (Notice of Action) that you received in the mail after your home visit.
You may also call the main line at (408) 792-1600 with your case number or social security number to reach your social worker.
IHSS does not offer help for housing. Please call the Housing Authority of Santa Clara if you need help with housing.
