What Is IHSS?
California's In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program pays for home care so that elderly, blind, and disabled individuals can live safely in their own homes — rather than in a care facility. Understanding who qualifies and how the program works is the first step toward getting the support you need.
IHSS is a Medi-Cal funded program jointly administered by the state of California and individual counties. It pays a caregiver — who can be a family member, friend, or hired provider — to assist with daily activities like bathing, dressing, cooking, and housekeeping. The program is designed to prevent unnecessary institutionalization by allowing recipients to remain safely at home.
IHSS is not a loan, and it is not a benefit that needs to be repaid. It is a publicly funded service that eligible individuals are entitled to under California law.
To qualify for IHSS, you must meet all of the following criteria:
- Be a California resident
- Be 65 or older, blind, or disabled (as defined by Social Security standards)
- Be eligible for or currently receiving Medi-Cal
- Require assistance with daily activities to live safely at home
- Live in your own home or the home of a relative — not in a licensed care facility
Minors with qualifying disabilities may also be eligible. A parent or guardian applies on their behalf, and the assessment is adjusted to account for the age-appropriate level of supervision already expected.
IHSS covers a wide range of services across several categories, including personal care (bathing, dressing, mobility), domestic services (housecleaning — up to 6 hours/month), meal preparation, shopping and errands, laundry, accompaniment to medical appointments, paramedical services ordered by a physician, and Protective Supervision for those who cannot be safely left alone.
Contact your county IHSS office directly or apply through BenefitsCal.com. You can also ask a hospital discharge planner, doctor's office, or social worker to initiate a referral. Once your application is received, the county will schedule an in-home assessment — typically within 30–45 days.
Educational information, not legal advice. Only your county can authorize IHSS services, and only after an assessment. IHSSHours.com is an independent resource and is not affiliated with CDSS or any county IHSS office. · More IHSS guides