In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)

What is IHSS?
In-Home Supportive Services are available for people who are aged, blind or disabled, cannot perform activities of daily living and cannot remain safely in their own homes without help. We work with local caregivers to ensure that these people are able to remain in familiar surroundings – safely, comfortably and with as much independence as possible.

Types of Support
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Cooking
  • Domestic
  • Grooming
  • Feeding

Who is Eligible? 

To find out if you are eligible for services, stop by our office, or call 707-464-3191 for an appointment. To be eligible, an applicant must:

  • Be a California resident and reside in his/her own home
  • Be age 65 and over, blind or disabled
  • Be receiving Medi-Cal benefits
  • Have low income as set by SSI/SSP standards (if a person's income exceeds SSI/SSP standards, there may be a share of cost)

Anyone who recognizes that a person is in need of in-home assistance may refer someone to our program. A social worker will conduct an assessment to determine the applicant’s need based on medical condition, living arrangement and resources available.

Finding a Caregiver

If an applicant is eligible for services, we can provide the applicant with a list of potential caregivers from our registry of caregiver providers. A friend or relative may also serve as your caregiver. Once you have selected a caregiver, you will act as your caregiver's employer by supervising tasks and signing time sheets. We will arrange for your caregiver's payment.

Watch these educational videos to learn more about interviewing, hiring and supervising a caregiver.


Interested in Becoming a Caregiver?

The need for quality care providers in Del Norte County is great. Click here to find out how to be placed on the Public Authority registry.


Contact Information

880 Northcrest Drive, Crescent City, CA
(707) 464-3191 

Hours:
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.


In-Home Supportive Services Fraud Prevention

If you suspect Fraud and Abuse of the IHSS program, call the hotline today!

CALL:

(888) 717-8302 (IHSS)

(800) 822-6222 (Medi-Cal)

or E-MAIL: Stopmedicalfraud@dhcs.ca.gov or IBREF@dhcs.ca.gov

TIPS FOR AVOIDING FRAUD

As an In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) provider, there are some things that you can do to avoid committing fraud. These include the following examples:

  • Do not put hours on your timesheet if you did not work them.
  • Do not put hours on your timesheet for services that are not covered by IHSS. Examples of some services that are not covered include gardening, pet care, moving furniture, or taking the consumer on social outings. Always refer to the "Services Covered by IHSS" handout if you are in doubt.
  • Do not put hours on your timesheet for tasks that are not authorized for the consumer.
  • Do not put the time you spend eating meals on your timesheet.
  • Do not ask the consumer to sign a blank or incomplete timesheet.
  • Do not sign the consumer's name on your timesheet. If the consumer is not able to sign your timesheet, you need to check with the county about who else may be authorized to sign for the consumer.
  • Do not put time on your timesheet for days that the consumer is in the hospital, a nursing home, board and care facility, or in jail.
  • Keep written records of the hours worked and what you did each day that you work. Request that your consumer also keep track of the hours that you work.
  • If you have differences with the consumer about the hours worked, show the consumer your records and explain work you did on the date(s) in question.
  • If someone else or another agency is providing authorized services, do not include the time for services that they provide on your timesheet. If another person is providing services and wishes to be paid by IHSS, they must be enrolled as a provider.
  • Tell the truth in all of your interactions with the county.
RESOURCES