Overview
San Mateo County's IHSS program is administered by San Mateo County Health, with the San Mateo County Public Authority serving as Employer of Record and operating the provider registry — one of the highest-paying counties in California, second only to San Francisco.
Applications and general assistance route through the county's Aging and Disability Services Line, while payroll, timesheets, and registry questions are handled separately by the Public Authority.
Provider Wage & Public Authority
San Mateo County IHSS Contacts
- Current hourly wage
- $21.70/hr
- Public Authority
- San Mateo County Public Authority (SEIU Local 2015)
- Mailing Address
- P.O. Box 5892
San Mateo, CA 94402
Wages are renegotiated periodically. Confirm your current rate directly with the San Mateo County Public Authority before relying on this figure.
Local Notes & Quirks
- One of the highest-paying counties in the state: At $21.70/hr, San Mateo trails only San Francisco statewide — a reflection of the Bay Area's cost of living and years of SEIU 2015 bargaining.
- Separate application and payroll lines: Applying for IHSS goes through the Aging and Disability Services Line, while the Public Authority itself handles payroll, timesheets, and the provider registry — two different numbers for two different needs.
- Provider benefits beyond wages: San Mateo offers eligible providers voluntary health and dental/vision insurance, paid sick leave, a public transportation benefit, and reimbursement for pre-approved caregiving classes.
Appealing a Notice of Action in San Mateo County
If San Mateo 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 San Mateo County IHSS appeal, Disability Rights California can be reached at 1-800-776-5746.
Heading into your San Mateo 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.