Everything specific to Sonoma County — current provider wages, your Public Authority, and how to appeal a Notice of Action.
📩 Get occasional IHSS policy updates & new county guides:
$20.25
Hourly Wage
Effective Mar 1, 2026 · CDSS
Sonoma Co. PA
Public Authority
North Bay
Region
Overview
Sonoma County's IHSS program is administered by the Human Services Department's Adult and Aging Division, with the Sonoma County IHSS Public Authority serving as Employer of Record and maintaining the provider registry for more than 7,000 caregivers countywide.
Sonoma County recently ratified a new multi-year union contract with SEIU Local 2015 that is raising the local wage supplement on top of the state minimum wage — worth checking for the latest figure since it continues stepping up through 2026.
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Questions about IHSS in Sonoma County?
Clara has Sonoma County’s contacts and current wage, and can explain how hours are decided.
Sonoma County by the Numbers
Official CDSS figuresCDSS program data · July 2026
9,076
Recipients Served
120.8
Avg Monthly Hours Authorized
1.8 above state avg
8,582
Active Providers
1,462
Receiving Protective Supervision
16% of recipients
Average authorized hours vs. California
120.8 hrs
state avg 119
Provider wage vs. California average
$20.25/hr
CA county avg $18.95
Wage rank #12 of 58Hours rank #22 of 58
Communities served: Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Rohnert Park 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.
Sonoma's wage is a state minimum + local supplement combination that is scheduled to keep rising through 2026. Confirm your current rate directly with the Sonoma County Public Authority before relying on this figure.
Local Notes & Quirks
Wage set to keep climbing: Sonoma's 2024 union contract doubled the local wage supplement in 2025 and raises it further through 2026, so providers here should expect the rate to keep moving upward on a defined schedule rather than staying flat.
Split intake and registry lines: IHSS referrals and general intake go through one number, while Public Authority registry applications for caregivers go through a separate line — mixing them up is a common source of delay.
North Bay caregiver shortage: Sonoma County officials have cited significant unused authorized care hours in recent years, underscoring an ongoing local provider shortage worth being aware of if you're searching the registry.
Appealing a Notice of Action in Sonoma County
If Sonoma 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 Sonoma County IHSS appeal, Disability Rights California can be reached at 1-800-776-5746.
Heading into your Sonoma 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.