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If you’ve recently learned that your child has a disability, there are many steps you can take to give her a happy, healthy, and rewarding life. And if your family is struggling financially, you may be eligible to receive benefits such as In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS). This funding can be used to meet your child’s daily needs and can help pay the expenses associated with her disability. But, how much does IHSS pay in California?
In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) is a program designated to help children as well as the elderly who have disabilities to safely remain in their own homes when they are not able to fully care for themselves. It is an alternative to out-of-home care in nursing homes and institutions.
If you are a California resident and receive Medi-Cal benefits, you may be eligible for IHSS. Eligibility is assessed with an evaluation regarding whether your child needs the services it provides to stay safely in your own home as an alternative to out-of-home placement.
The IHSS in-home assessment is initiated by the county Social Services Agency at the time of application, every twelve months thereafter, and whenever the county has information that the recipient’s physical/mental condition or living/social condition has changed. The number of hours authorized may change with each evaluation. The reason for the assessment is to evaluate the disabled person’s physical or mental condition, living and social situation, and ability to perform various functions of daily life, as well as the statement of need and the medical records.
There are many circumstances that permit a parent of a disabled child to receive IHSS payments: (1) If the parent quit his or her job or can’t get a job because he or she must care for the disabled child. (2) If no other suitable care provider is available (willing and able). (3) If the child is at risk of out-of-home placement or inadequate care. (4) If both the parents live in the home, one parent may get paid when the other parent is working, in school, or disabled. There is also an exception: Under PCSP, a non-parent provider may provide services to an institutionally deemed child even if the parent is present in the home. (ACL 00-83; ACIN I-28-06.) This is not possible under the IPW, unless the parent of the institutionally deemed child is physically or mentally unable to perform services. MPP 30-763.44; ACIN I-28-06. However, there would be very few (if any) cases of non-parent providers of minor recipients under the IPW as advance payment election would be the only basis for the minor recipient falling within that category.
Recent legislation created various options for counties to implement In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) provider wage and benefit increases. Specifically, recent state minimum wage increases and budget-related legislation adopted in 2017‑18 instituted both temporary and permanent changes to how counties can increase IHSS provider wages and benefits with varying effects on state and county costs.
On January 1, 2019, the minimum wage increased to $12 per hour.
On January 1, 2020, the minimum wage will increase to $13 per hour.
On January 1, 2021, the minimum wage will increase to $14 per hour.
On January 1, 2022, the minimum wage will increase to $15 per hour.
Currently, as an IHSS Protective Supervision provider, the maximum number of hours you can claim is 283 per month. That equates to $3,396 per month today.
The application must be processed within 30 days following the application. This includes eligibility determination, the needs assessment, and the notice of action. An exception to the 30-day requirement may be made when a disability determination has not been received within the 30-day period, or the person has not moved into his or her own home.
If you feel overwhelmed and you need help, please contact us.
American Advocacy Group is on the front lines every day, making positive change happen for people diagnosed with Autism, Down syndrome and a range of diagnoses across the continuum. As a leading advocate for all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, and the premier provider of the support and services people want and need, we understand the system and know how to take action in regard to your best interests.
CONTACT US FOR HELP.
Dial (877) 762-0702 or email us at [email protected].
