In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) is unique to California, as it's a statewide program administered by each county under the direction of the California Department of Social Services (CDSS). It provides the disabled, blind, those with limited income or over the age of 65 with in–home care services to help them remain safely at home. To learn more about acquiring IHSS benefits for your child, read this article.

Once your child has successfully been awarded hours through the IHSS program, you might be eligible to become your child's "parent-provider" if you live in the same household. This would allow you to be paid to provide the covered services your child receives through the IHSS program. Additionally, you have the option to self-certify your living arrangements to exclude IHSS/WPCS wages from Federal and State income taxes by sending the Live-In Self-Certification Form (SOC 2298).

The provider sign-up process is fairly simple, but before you can be enrolled as a parent-provider and receive payment from the IHSS program, you must fully complete the four below steps within 90 days from the date you start the provider enrollment process. 

Important: If you believe you have a criminal arrest and/or conviction within the previous ten years, no matter how minor, you should begin the process with Step 2 because you only have 90 days to complete all of the steps and it may take longer for the California Department of Justice to review your criminal history and provide the county with your Criminal Offender Record Information.

STEP 1 — Complete and sign the IHSS Program Provider Enrollment Form (SOC 426) and return it in person to the County IHSS Office or IHSS Public Authority

• Get a blank copy of the SOC 426 right here, or from your local county IHSS Office or Public Authority. Read make sure you read the information carefully before you complete the form.

• Complete the SOC 426 form and answer all questions completely and truthfully. You must report if you have been convicted of any crimes that would not allow you to provide services.

• Bring a valid photo ID issued by a U.S. federal or state government agency or by a federally-recognized Native American or Alaskan Native tribal organization AND an original Social Security card or replacement card issued by the Social Security Administration.

• The information you provide on the SOC 426 will be verified by a criminal background check by the DOJ.

STEP 2 — Be fingerprinted and go through a criminal background check by the California Department of Justice

• The County IHSS Office or Public Authority 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. Request a list of nearby locations from your county's IHSS Office or Public Authority.

• State law requires that you pay the costs for fingerprinting and the criminal background check. Fees will vary depending where you choose to get fingerprinted, but luckily it's a one-time fee. The costs are known to range greatly, so shop around for a cost you are comfortable paying.

• If the background check verifies that you have been convicted of any Tier 1 or Tier 2 crimes, please read the first two pages on this link.

STEP 3 — Attend an IHSS Program Provider Orientation given by the county

• The County IHSS Office or Public Authority will tell you when and where you can attend an orientation session, however feel free to be proactive and call to start the process yourself.

• The orientation will give you important information about the IHSS Program and the rules and requirements you must follow as a provider. Be prepared to arrive early, wait in line, and have patience. 

STEP 4 — At the end of the Provider Orientation session, 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. 

It's always good practice to keep and maintain copies of any documents you submit to IHSS and any that you have received from the county for your records. 

The good news is, once you have successfully completed these four steps and have been approved by the county or Public Authority to be an IHSS provider—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.

If you do not complete these four steps within 90 days after you began the provider enrollment process, you will be found ineligible to work and be paid as an IHSS provider and 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, feel free to message us or contact your County IHSS Office or IHSS Public Authority.