Overview
Merced County's IHSS program is administered by the county's Human Services Agency, with the Merced County IHSS Public Authority — established as a separate legal entity by county ordinance — serving as Employer of Record and operating the provider registry.
The Public Authority Registry matches recipients with screened providers based on the tasks needed, authorized hours, and the recipient's preferences, with a provider list typically mailed within 5-7 business days of a request.
Provider Wage & Public Authority
Merced County IHSS Contacts
- Current hourly wage
- $17.10/hr
- Public Authority
- Merced County IHSS Public Authority
- Office Address
- 2115 West Wardrobe Avenue
Merced, CA 95341
Wages are reviewed periodically. Confirm your current rate directly with the Merced County Public Authority before relying on this figure.
Local Notes & Quirks
- Established by county ordinance: Merced's Public Authority was specifically created as a separate and distinct legal entity by the Board of Supervisors, with its own advisory committee where at least half the members must be current or past IHSS recipients.
- Registry timeline is set: Once a recipient's information is entered into the registry, a list of matching providers is typically mailed within 5-7 business days — useful to know if you're waiting to hear back.
- Central Valley wage pattern: At $17.10/hr, Merced tracks closely with neighboring Central Valley counties, notably below Bay Area rates.
Appealing a Notice of Action in Merced County
If Merced 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 Merced County IHSS appeal, Disability Rights California can be reached at 1-800-776-5746.
Heading into your Merced 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.