This post will help you with the process on how to become an IHSS provider in Los Angeles county. We will walk you through the IHSS provider application in Los Angeles county, how long it takes to get approved, the hourly pay rate and how much you can make a month, the timesheet submission process, and more.
Table of Content:
- Is Being an IHSS Provider a good job?
- How to Become an IHSS Provider
- IHSS Provider Application in Los Angeles County
- What is the IHSS Pay Rate in Los Angeles County?
- Los Angeles County IHSS Provider FAQs
Is Being an IHSS Provider a good job?
To be a great IHSS provider, you have to be a compassionate person and be willing to assist seniors and people with disabilities to live independently at home.
In California, the average monthly Salary for an IHSS provider is $2,743, however, in some counties, you can make over $3,000 a month.
In addition, IHSS providers do get overtime pay and paid sick leave (county rules apply).
Furthermore, IHSS providers can enroll in the CalSavers program, a form of retirement savings that helps IHSS providers prepare for their future.
How to Become an IHSS Provider
There are two ways to be an IHSS Provider:
Option 1 – Become a care provider for someone you already know
This is the easiest and fastest way to start a career as an IHSS Provider.
IHSS rules allow recipients to hire family members or friends as providers.
If you know a family member or friend that is on Medi-Cal and is eligible for IHSS, reach out to them and discuss becoming their provider.
Once you apply and are approved by the county as a provider, your family member or friend can then hire you as their provider.
Note: The IHSS recipient is responsible for hiring, training, supervising, and if necessary, firing the provider.
Option 2 – Apply to join the IHSS Registry and meet potential clients
Each county maintains an IHSS provider list that recipients can access to find providers.
Once you are approved to become an IHSS provider, the county IHSS office will add you to the list.
You will then be matched with potential IHSS clients based on your availability and preferences.
To apply to become an IHSS provider in Los Angeles County, follow the steps below:
IHSS Provider Application in Los Angeles County
Here are the steps you need to take to apply and be approved as an IHSS provider in Los Angeles County:
Step 1 – Complete and sign the IHSS Provider Enrollment Form
The first step in the process is to complete and sign the IHSS Program Provider Enrollment Form (SOC 426) and return it to the County IHSS Office.
Click here to download the application form.
In Los Angeles County, there are three options to submit your application:
Apply By Mail
Complete the SOC 295 Application For IHSS.
Then, mail the completed application to:
IHSS Application
2707 S. Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90007
Apply By Phone
You can apply for IHSS by calling:
- Toll-Free Number 1-(888) 944 – IHSS (4477)
- Local Number (213) 744 – IHSS (4477).
You can also call the IHSS Helpline at IHSS Helpline at 1-(888) 822-9622 (option 4 from the main menu).
The helpline is available Mon-Fri from 8 AM – 5 PM.
Apply By Secure Fax (eFax)
Print and fax the IHSS application to:
Metro IHSS (213) 947-4591
Step 2 – Attend an IHSS Provider Orientation & Get Finger Printed
The next step in the process is to complete the provider orientation.
In Los Angeles County, you have the option to attend an in-person provider orientation or by completing the provider orientation process online.
After the orientation, you will be required to visit an IHSS office to:
- Present your photo ID and Social Security card;
- Complete and return the required enrollment forms; and
- Obtain the Request for Live Scan Service form to get a criminal background check.
How the IHSS Fingerprinting Process Works
The County IHSS Office will give you instructions on how to get fingerprinted.
Do not try to be fingerprinted until you have received instructions from the county.
You can get fingerprinted at some local law enforcement agencies (Police or Sheriff Department) or at a business that offers digitally scanned fingerprinting (Live Scan) services.
The County IHSS Office can give you a list of nearby locations.
To find a list of approved Live Scan locations in Los Angeles County, click here.
California state law requires that you pay the costs for fingerprinting and the criminal background check.
The cost to get fingerprinted varies from $40 to $90.
Step 3 -Sign an IHSS Provider Enrollment Agreement
Once you have completed the orientation, you will be asked to sign an IHSS Program Provider Enrollment Agreement (SOC 846).
By signing the SOC 846, you are saying that you understand and agree to the rules and requirements for being a provider in the IHSS Program.
You should maintain copies of all documents you submitted and any that you have received from the county for your records.
Once you have successfully completed the four steps above here’s what happens next:
IHSS Provider Status
If you are approved to be an IHSS provider, here’s what happens next:
As long as you are an active provider and your criminal background check remains clear, you will continue to be eligible to provide services for any IHSS recipient.
90 Day Requirement for Enrollment
The three steps above must be completed within 90 days after you began the provider enrollment process
If you do not complete the enrollment process within 90 days, you will be found ineligible to work and be paid as an IHSS provider.
Also, if you are found ineligible to work, you will need to begin the process over again in order to be enrolled as an IHSS provider.
If you have any questions about these provider enrollment requirements, contact the Los Angeles County IHSS Helpline at the number below:
Los Angeles County IHSS Helpline
If you have any questions about becoming an IHSS Provider, you can call the IHSS Helpline at (888) 822-9622, Monday–Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Step 4: Register Online as IHSS Provider
Once you are approved by your county as an IHSS provider, you should create an online account in the State’s Electronic Services Portal (ESP).
Click here to be taken to the ESP website.
The ESP portal allows you to:
- Receive notifications as to the status of your checks
- Submit Sick Leave claims
- Sign up for Direct Deposit
- Sign up for electronic timesheets, which allow you to retrieve and submit your timesheets online. This option will also give you warnings if you complete your timesheet incorrectly and you are in danger of receiving a violation. In order to use electronic timesheets, your client must be willing to approve your timesheets either electronically or by telephone.
Step 5: Join the IHSS Provider Registry
Next, you should join the IHSS provider registry so that you can be matched with potential clients.
Here’s how to join the provider registry in Los Angeles County:
You may contact the Personal Assistance Services Council (PASC).
The PASC is the Public Authority for Los Angeles County.
The PASC operates a Registry to provide referrals for IHSS recipients and providers.
You may contact the PASC at (877) 565-4477 for more information.
Click here for the PASC website.
Los Angeles County IHSS Provider FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about IHSS in Los Angeles County:
What is the IHSS Pay Rate in Los Angeles County?
Starting January 1, 2022, the hourly pay for an IHSS provider in Los Angeles County is $16.00 an hour. This is the equivalent of $640/week or $2,773/month.
At this pay rate, you will earn an annual salary of $33,280.
The Back-Up Attendant Program (BUAP) provider wage rate is $19.00 per hour.
For details about IHSS pay in Los Angeles County, see our post on Pay Rate for IHSS Providers in Los Angeles County, CA.
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.
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.
Are IHSS Providers Eligible for Paid Sick Leave?
Yes. As of July 1, 2018, IHSS providers can earn paid sick leave if they are active IHSS provider that works for an IHSS/WPCS recipient.
To earn sick leave, you must complete a one-time, two-part requirement to earn and use paid sick leave:
- Work 100 hours for an IHSS recipient to earn paid sick leave hours; and
- Wait 60 days or work an additional 200 hours, whichever comes first, before using paid sick leave hours.
Can IHSS Providers Save for Retirement?
Yes. IHSS providers can enroll in the CalSavers program, a form of retirement savings that helps IHSS providers prepare for their future.
CalSavers is a new optional retirement program designed for all California individuals, including IHSS providers, which offers automatic employment retirement contribution options.
Enrollment is easy and can be done by phone or online.
Additionally, there is multilingual support and materials are available.
To learn more about the program, contact CalSavers:
- Online: CalSavers website
- Telephone: (855) 650-6918
- Business Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (PST)
- Email: [email protected]
IHSS Provider Application in Los Angeles County Summary
We hope this post on IHSS Provider Application in Los Angeles County was helpful.
Questions?
If you have further questions about the IHSS Program or Medi-Cal in Los Angeles County, 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:
