The IHSS Program is designed to help pay for services provided to you so that you can remain safely in your own home. If you live in Orange County and need help with IHSS, we can help. In this post, we will review everything you need to know about IHSS in Orange County – including eligibility, how to apply for benefits, and how to hire an IHSS Provider.
Before we get into eligibility guidelines, first, we will explain what the IHSS program is about.
Next, we will explain each of the eligibility guidelines in detail, including the income limit, which is the most important.
We will then walk you through the multiple ways you can apply for IHSS in Orange County.
Also, you will learn the process of how to hire an IHSS care provider.
Lastly, we will answer the most frequently asked questions about IHSS.
Who is Eligible for IHSS Benefits?
To be eligible for Orange County IHSS, a person must meet all of the following requirements:
- Be disabled, blind, or age 65 years or older.
- Be unable to live at home safely without help.
- Meet the program’s financial need requirements.
What are the Financial Need requirements?
If you receive Security Supplemental Income (SSI/SSP), then you automatically meet the IHSS Program’s financial need requirement.
However, if your income is higher than the limits for SSI/SSP, you might still be eligible for IHSS, but you might be required to pay for part of the services you receive.
Additionally, you must meet the IHSS Program’s monthly income limits and asset limits on the amount of resources you own to receive IHSS benefits.
Resources include items such as:
- Savings
- Investments
- Certain types of property and personal possessions.
There may be exceptions that apply.
How to Get Approved for IHSS in Orange County
There are five (5) steps you have to follow in order to apply and get approved for IHSS benefits in Orange County.
Step 1 – Submit an IHSS Orange County Application
There are multiple ways to apply for and submit your IHSS Application.
Here’s how to get an application IHSS Application (SOC 295):
Visit this page to print an IHSS Application.
You can also pick up a hard copy of an application at the County IHSS office. Below is the address:
1505 E. Warner Avenue
Santa Ana, CA 92705.
You can also apply for benefits by phone by calling the Orange County IHSS office at 714-825-3000 during business hours (Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm).
How to submit completed applications
Fax: Fax completed applications to 714-825-3001
Mail: Mail completed applications to P.O. Box 22006, Santa Ana, CA 92702
Email: E-mail completed applications to [email protected]
In-person: A secured drop box is available to drop off completed applications outside the front doors of the IHSS office. Below is the address:
1505 E. Warner Avenue
Santa Ana, CA 92705.
Visit this page to print an IHSS Application (SOC 295).
You can also pick up a hard copy of an application at the Orange County IHSS office.
Step 2 – Home Visit by Social Worker
The next step of the process is a visit from a Social Worker with the Orange County Social Services Agency
A Social Worker will come to your home to determine the types of authorized services that you need and the number of hours for each service.
Some of the things the County will consider are:
- Your medical condition,
- Your living arrangement,
- Any resources that may already be available.
Step 3 – Complete Health Care Certification Form
Next, you will receive a form for your doctor to complete, certifying your need for IHSS services.
This form must be completed before any IHSS service can be authorized.
Step 4 – County Decision
The last step of the process is a decision from the county regarding your IHSS application.
The County will send you a Notice of Action (NOA) telling you if you have been approved for IHSS benefits.
The NOA will specify what services have been approved, how much time is authorized for each service, and how many total monthly hours have been approved.
Step 5 – Hire an IHSS Provider
If your application for IHSS benefits is approved, you must hire a Provider (caregiver) to perform the authorized services.
Under the IHSS rules, the recipient is the employer. Therefore, you will be considered the Provider’s employer.
As the employer, it is your responsibility to hire, train, supervise, and fire the individual Provider.
You can hire a family member or friend as your provider.
However, all providers must register with the County IHSS office.
IHSS in Orange County FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the IHSS program:
How do I hire an IHSS Care Provider in Orange County?
As mentioned above, under the IHSS rules, the recipient is the employer. Therefore, you will be considered the Provider’s employer.
As a result, it is your responsibility to hire, train, and supervise the individual Provider.
Here are some ideas on what you can do to find and hire an IHSS care provider:
- Ask for assistance in locating a care provider from your IHSS social worker or your Public Authority worker.
- Advertise that you are seeking a qualified care provider by placing advertisements in newspapers, at local colleges, online, or at the Multi-Purpose Senior Services Center.
- Request referrals from friends, family members, and neighbors.
- Ask the IHSS Public Authority to help you find a care provider.
Where is the Orange County IHSS Office Located?
Below is the address of the IHSS Office:
1505 E. Warner Avenue
Santa Ana, CA 92705.
What is the Orange County IHSS Phone Number?
You can call the IHSS at 714-825-3000.
They are open Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Who Approves IHSS Services for Recipients?
Your social worker will authorize the types of services to be provided and the amount of time to be paid based on the needs assessment.
However, the actual payments issued to the provider you work with are issued by the State of California – and paid directly to the provider.
How does IHSS Timesheet work?
IHSS providers and recipients must either enroll in the Electronic Timesheet System (ETS) or the Telephonic Timesheet System (TTS) to complete, submit, and manage their IHSS timesheet and payment accounts.
These secured systems allow IHSS providers to submit their IHSS timesheets and the IHSS recipients to review, reject or approve timesheets using a computer, laptop, tablet, smartphone, and/or by phone.
For more on how to submit or approve IHSS timesheets in Orange County, click here.
How do I Enroll in IHSS Timesheets?
Here’s how to Enroll:
- Enroll in ETS by visiting the State website at: http://www.etimesheets.ihss.ca.gov/
Have your Provider/Recipient number, Social Security number, and valid email address ready.AND / OR - Enroll in TTS by calling 1-833-342-5388
Have your Registration Code, Provider/Recipient number, and Social Security number ready. You do NOT need an email address for this option.
If you need help with ETS or TTS, here’s what you can do:
- Call Orange County IHSS Accounting Call Center at 714-825-3251 for general questions.
- Call 1-866-376-7066, choose option 4, for technical assistance such as; password reset and devise issues.
What is the IHSS Orange County Pay Rate for 2022?
Starting January 1, 2022, the hourly pay for an IHSS provider in Orange County is $15.50 an hour.
This is the equivalent of $620/week or $2,687/month.
At this pay rate, an IHSS Provider could potentially earn an annual salary of $32,240.
See our post on IHSS Pay in Orange County and how it compares to neighboring counties and the rest of the state of California.
IHSS in Orange County Summary
We hope this post on IHSS in Orange County was helpful.
Questions?
If you have further questions about the IHSS Program or Medi-Cal, please let us know in the comments section below.
Be sure to check out our other articles about Medi-Cal and California Medicaid program, including:
