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1. How do I apply for IHSS?

You may contact the Department of Social Services at 533-5711 or 533-7352 to apply, or you may access and complete the Application for Social Services (SOC 295) at: http://www.dss.cahwnet.gov/cdssweb/entres/forms/English/SOC295.pdf and submit it to the Department of Social Services located at 20075 Cedar Road North, Sonora, CA 95370. IHSS Program staff will then contact you to schedule an intake appointment in your home to determine eligibility for the program.

2. How do I request an increase in my IHSS hours, and to whom do I make this request?

IHSS services are assessed as time needed per task. The increase in hours would be based on the recipient’s need of a specific daily living activity (i.e.bathing). All requests must be made with the case carrying social worker.

3. Who will provide the IHSS services once they have been determined?

An Independent Care Provider who has completed the enrollment process through the Department of Social Services. An Independent Care Provider may be a relative, neighbor, roommate, friend, etc. If you do not have an Independent Care Provider in mind and need a referral, the Department of Social Services may be able to assist with this upon request. Please be advised that the IHSS recipient acts as the employer of the Independent Care Provider and is responsible for interviewing, hiring and scheduling their provider. Independent Care Providers are not Tuolumne County Employees.

4. How does my care provider get paid?

Care providers are considered Independent Providers and must complete the required enrollment process through the Department of Social Services before they can receive payment for providing IHSS authorized services. To complete the enrollment process the independent provider must complete the following steps:

• Complete and sign an IHSS Provider Enrollment Form (SOC 426). The provider must submit the form to the Tuolumne County Department of Social Services at 20075 Cedar Road North, Sonora, CA 95370 and present original documentation of a current photo identification and social security card to verify their identity.
• Complete the Independent Provider Orientation.
• Complete and sign the Provider Enrollment Agreement (SOC 846). This form is completed at the Provider Orientation.
• Submit fingerprints and pass a criminal background check from the Department of Justice. Once this process is completed, the Independent Provider will receive a notice stating they have completed the enrollment process. After the Independent Provider has been assigned to the IHSS recipient, the Independent Provider will receive time cards to begin claiming service hours.

5. I'm an Independent Provider, and the recipient refused to sign my time card. How do I get paid?

As the employer, the IHSS recipient must sign the time card stating the services were completed by the Independent Provider. If the IHSS recipient refuses to sign, stating the Independent Provider did not work the hours they are claiming, the Independent Provider may file a claim with the State of California Labor and Workforce Development Agency. You can visit their website at http://www.dir.ca.gov/default.html.

6. What happens if my Independent Provider works more hours than are authorized?

The IHSS program only pays for authorized hours, and any hours claimed that are not authorized will be the responsibility of the IHSS recipient. The IHSS program has specific regulations which dictate the daily activities that can be authorized and the hours are based on the need of the recipient. The IHSS recipient may request an assessment for an increase in hours if their circumstances have changed and they believe they require additional assistance.

7. How does a Medi-Cal share of cost affect my IHSS services?

When the IHSS Recipient has a monthly Medi-Cal share of cost, the recipient will be responsible for paying the IHSS service hours that equal their share of cost. Once the monthly share of cost has been paid by the recipient, IHSS will pay the remaining balance. It is often the case that the recipient’s share of cost is greater than the IHSS services authorized and therefore, would not be eligible for the IHSS program.

8. How long does it take to receive a pay check once I have submitted a timecard?

Please be advised that beginning November 2013, all timecards will need to be mailed by the Independent Provider to the Timecard Processing Facility in Chico, California. Sending timecards to Tuolumne County Department of Social Services will delay payment. Until November 2013, providers should mail their timecards to The Tuolumne County Department of Social Services at 20075 Cedar Road North, Sonora, CA 95370.

The timecard hours are processed and submitted to the State payroll contractor. State payroll has 10 days to issue payment.