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Fact
Sheet: In-Home Supportive Services
The In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program
provides help to individuals who are unable to remain safely
at home without assistance. The IHSS program pays for a
wide variety of services, including housecleaning, shopping,
meal preparation, laundry, personal care and paramedical
services.
Who Is
Eligible for IHSS?
IHSS pays for services to California residents
who live at home, or who are currently institutionalized
but wish to live at home. This fact sheet focuses on individuals
or couples who meet the following eligibility rules for
SSI/SSP:
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Condition: disabled, or blind,
or 65 or older, and
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Countable (excludes home, etc.)
Asset Limits: Single, $2,000; Married, $3,000.
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Note: There are other ways to qualify
for IHSS, and special rules apply for non-citizens.
What Amounts
Will IHSS Pay?
If an individual or couple meets both the Condition
and Countable Asset rules (above), monthly income
(not all income is counted) is compared to the SSI/SSP payment
level. The 2001 SSI/SSP payment level is $712 for
individuals and $1,265 for couples (the level differs for
blind persons, where only one spouse is eligible and in
certain other cases).
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If monthly income is at or below the SSI/SSP
payment level, IHSS will pay the full cost of services,
or
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If monthly income is above the SSI/SSP
payment level, services will be paid for but the individual
or couple must pay a "share of cost" (equal
to the individual's or couple's monthly income minus
the applicable SSI/SSP payment level).
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What About
Repayment?
In certain circumstances, the State may seek
to recover (from an IHSS recipient's assets) amounts paid
to or for the recipient. Recovery may only occur after the
recipient's death, and not during the lifetime of a surviving
spouse.
Who Provides
the In-Home Services?
In Los Angeles County, the services are provided
by service providers chosen directly by the service recipients.
A service recipient arranges directly with the service provider.
Service providers may include family members, with special
rules applying to spouses. The County maintains a list of
service providers and can provide their names and telephone
numbers.
How to
Apply.
In Los Angeles County, call the IHSS office
at 888/944-4477 or 213/744-4477. Keep track of the dates and
names of persons spoken to, and keep a copy of the application
and other paperwork. A social worker will visit the applicant(s)
to determine what types of services are needed and how many
hours of service will be allowed.
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[December 15, 2001]
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