Program
California in-home care (IHSS)
A California program that pays for in-home help, and lets you hire a family member as your caregiver.
What it can pay for
- a home care aide
- personal care
- homemaker help
- meals
- rides
- Official name
- In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)
- Where
- CA
- Status
- Program running
- About the amount
- Measured in HOURS, not dollars: legal ceiling 195 hours/month (283 if 'severely impaired'); average authorized case projected at 127 hours/month for 2026-27. Provider WAGE varies by county ($16.90-$25.00/hr as of Oct 2026; LA County $19.64).
- Housing rules
- Home 'could be a house, apartment, hotel, or the home of a relative.' Disqualifying: living in a hospital, nursing facility, or licensed community care facility (board-and-care, assisted living).
- How long it takes
- Not published by CDSS for any stage (intake, home visit, SOC 873 return, Notice of Action, provider enrollment). No cash is paid until the provider finishes enrollment.
- How to apply
- File SOC 295 (Application for IHSS) with your county IHSS office, or call; then your doctor completes the SOC 873 Health Care Certification (doctors may not charge a fee for this by law).
- Does not pay for
- IHSS explicitly cannot pay for repair services, moving furniture, paying bills, pet care, gardening, sitting for visits, or social outings — no home modifications of any kind.
- Official source
- leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
- Last checked
- September 28, 2026