IHSS — Medi-Cal Pays a Caregiver, and It Can Be Your Family Member
What it is
In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) is the Medi-Cal program that pays for help at home — bathing, dressing, cooking, cleaning, shopping, accompaniment to the doctor — so a low-income senior or person with a disability can stay safely at home instead of a facility. You choose who provides the care. LA County's own page says providers "may be family members, friends, neighbors" — an adult child or relative can be hired and paid as the caregiver.
Who can get it
California resident, living at home (not a facility), with Medi-Cal (or approved for it as part of applying), who needs help to stay safe at home. A county social worker visits and decides the monthly hours.
What it costs
Free to the recipient. The provider is paid an hourly wage by the state (the county can tell you the current LA County rate).
How to start
Apply by phone: (888) 944-4477 (LA County IHSS, Mon–Fri 8–5) — or mail the SOC 295 application (form available in Armenian, Russian, Spanish + 6 more) to DPSS In-Home Supportive Services, PO Box 769, Rosemead, CA 91770.
Have the doctor complete the Health Care Certification (SOC 873) — the county needs it before approving services.
A social worker visits, assesses what help is needed, and sets monthly hours. You'll get the decision in writing.
Approved? You hire your provider (family counts) — they enroll as an IHSS provider and the state pays them. The PASC Public Authority can help you find a provider if you don't have one.
Official sources
We describe programs; we don't make medical, legal, or insurance decisions for you. For Medicare choices, HICAP counselors advise you free: (800) 434-0222. For anything medical, talk with the doctor.