When Approved Services Aren’t Provided

Many IHSS parents are told their child has been approved for services, only to find that those services never actually happen. This situation is more common than it should be, and it raises an important question: can the county reduce IHSS hours because services were approved on paper but not provided in real life?

Here’s what parents need to know.

Approved Does Not Mean Received

Counties often reduce IHSS hours based on the assumption that other services are being provided, such as:

• School-based services
• Regional Center supports
• In-home therapies or respite

However, approval alone does not replace actual care. If services were authorized but never delivered, the child’s care needs do not magically disappear.

The County Must Consider Reality, Not Paper Plans

IHSS determinations must be based on the child’s actual day-to-day needs, not what should have happened in theory. If a service was approved but:

• There was no provider available
• The agency failed to staff the service
• Services were delayed or suspended
• Sessions were frequently canceled

Then the county should not treat those services as if they were provided.

Common Reasons Services Aren’t Delivered

Families often experience gaps in approved services because:

• Provider shortages
• Long waitlists
• Staffing turnover
• Scheduling conflicts
• Medical or behavioral barriers

These issues are outside the parent’s control and should not be used to justify reducing IHSS support.

What Parents Can Do to Protect IHSS Hours

If services were approved but not provided, parents should:

• Keep records of missed or canceled services
• Save emails, notices, or logs showing service gaps
• Document how caregiving fell back on the parent
• Clearly explain what support the child actually received

Specific documentation helps correct assumptions made during assessments or reassessments.

Can This Be Appealed?

Yes. If IHSS hours were reduced based on services that were never delivered, parents can:

• Review the Notice of Action carefully
• Appeal within the stated deadline
• Explain that approved services were not actually provided
• Request that the county base its decision on real-world care

Appeals often succeed when the county relied on inaccurate assumptions.

The Bottom Line

IHSS decisions must be grounded in reality, not paperwork. If services were approved but not provided, the county should not reduce hours as if those services existed. Parents are entitled to have IHSS reflect the care they are actually providing every day.

Need help? In California, the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program provides crucial financial help for families raising children with special needs. 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 regarding your best interests.

CONTACT US FOR HELP. Dial (877) 762-0702 or email us at [email protected].