IHSS in Orange County

Overview

Orange County's IHSS program is administered by the Social Services Agency (SSA), with provider registry, screening, and enrollment support handled by the Orange County IHSS Public Authority — established by county ordinance in 2002.

Orange County's IHSS Public Authority is the employer of record for provider wage collective bargaining, which is negotiated with the United Domestic Workers of America (UDW) rather than SEIU, the union representing providers in many other CA counties.

Provider Wage & Public Authority

Wages are renegotiated roughly twice a year. Confirm your current rate directly with the OC IHSS Public Authority before relying on this figure.

Local Notes & Quirks

• In-person orientation required: Unlike some counties that now offer fully online provider orientation, Orange County requires new providers to attend in-person orientation before they can begin working.
• UDW, not SEIU: Orange County provider wages are negotiated through United Domestic Workers of America rather than SEIU Local 2015, which represents providers in many other large CA counties — relevant if you're researching union-specific benefits or representation.
• OC IHSS Public Authority handles enrollment & registry, not assessments: Your hours and eligibility are determined by an SSA social worker; the Public Authority's role is provider enrollment, the registry, and training — direct hours questions go to SSA.

Appealing a Notice of Action in Orange County

If Orange 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 an Orange County IHSS appeal, Disability Rights California can be reached at 1-800-776-5746.