Everything specific to Humboldt County — current provider wages, your Public Authority, and how to appeal a Notice of Action.
📩 Get occasional IHSS policy updates & new county guides:
$18.40
Hourly Wage
Effective Jan 1, 2026 · CDSS
Humboldt Co. PA
Public Authority
North Coast
Region
Overview
Humboldt County's IHSS program is administered by the Department of Health and Human Services, with the IHSS Public Authority — established by the state as a separate legal entity and Employer of Record — maintaining a caregiver registry throughout the Eureka, Arcata, and North Coast region.
The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors serves as the Public Authority's governing body, while day-to-day registry operations run independently from other county departments.
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Questions about IHSS in Humboldt County?
Clara has Humboldt County’s contacts and current wage, and can explain how hours are decided.
Humboldt County by the Numbers
Official CDSS figuresCDSS program data · July 2026
3,184
Recipients Served
123.6
Avg Monthly Hours Authorized
4.6 above state avg
2,823
Active Providers
456
Receiving Protective Supervision
14% of recipients
Average authorized hours vs. California
123.6 hrs
state avg 119
Provider wage vs. California average
$18.40/hr
CA county avg $18.95
Wage rank #35 of 58Hours rank #20 of 58
Communities served: Eureka, Arcata, Fortuna and more
Statewide, 925,481 Californians received IHSS in July 2026, averaging 119 authorized hours a month.
Source: CDSS IHSS Program Data.
Where should you start?
Pick the path that matches where you are right now.
Wage figures for Humboldt County vary between sources — confirm your current rate directly with the Humboldt County Public Authority before relying on this figure.
Local Notes & Quirks
11-member IHSS Advisory Board: made up of at least six IHSS consumers plus caregivers, advocates, and community members, this board meets the fourth Monday of every month and is open to the public — a genuine avenue for community input on local IHSS policy.
Extensive provider resource library: Humboldt's IHSS page offers an unusually large set of downloadable guides, covering everything from setting boundaries with a recipient to travel time, wait time, and workweek scheduling rules.
Free PPE available: the Public Authority office distributes free personal protective equipment (gloves, masks, hand sanitizer) to providers, while supplies last.
Appealing a Notice of Action in Humboldt County
If Humboldt County reduces, denies, or terminates your IHSS hours, the appeal process is governed by state regulation — the same 90-day deadline applies regardless of county:
You have 90 days from the date on your Notice of Action to request a State Hearing
Call the State Hearings Division at 1-800-952-5253 to request a hearing
Or mail a written request to: California Department of Social Services, State Hearings Division, P.O. Box 944243, Sacramento, CA 94244
Requesting your hearing before the Notice of Action's effective date preserves Aid Paid Pending — meaning you keep your current hours while the appeal is decided
For free legal help with a Humboldt County IHSS appeal, Disability Rights California can be reached at 1-800-776-5746.
Heading into your Humboldt County assessment?
The Clarity Report gives you a personalized estimate of the hours you may qualify for, built on California's official Hourly Task Guidelines — before you sit down with your county social worker.