Last updated Oct 23, 2026. Facts checked against official websites on Oct 23, 2026. Rules and fees change, so always confirm with the official source linked in each section.
IMPORTANT — EDUCATION ONLY, NOT LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE. This guide explains in general terms how California's In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program works. It is not legal, tax, or benefits advice for any particular person, and it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Rules, wages, and forms change, and your county decides your case. For questions about your own situation, contact your county IHSS office, a legal services office, or a qualified tax professional. The writer of this guide cannot answer questions about individual cases.
The Short Answer
Many family caregivers can be paid through IHSS, if the parent qualifies and the caregiver completes enrollment. California's In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program helps pay for in-home help for eligible aged, blind, and disabled people so they can stay safely at home (CDSS: IHSS Program). Providers can be family members, including adult children (LA County DPSS: IHSS). Your parent (the recipient) is considered your employer on paper, and the State issues the paychecks (CDSS).
In general, it works like a chain. Each link has to hold:
- Your parent must have Medi-Cal (Section 1).
- Share of cost may mean your parent pays part of the cost each month, and some of your pay can come from your parent (Section 2).
- SSI can bring Medi-Cal with it (Section 3).
- Immigration status and citizenship timing can affect which Medi-Cal and SSI your parent can get (Section 4).
- Then the parent applies for IHSS, the county sets the hours (Section 5), and the caregiver can enroll as the paid provider (Sections 6–8).
In Taglish — "Puwede ba akong mabayaran para alagaan si Lola?"
Karaniwan, maraming kapamilya ang nababayaran — kung qualified si Lola sa IHSS at makapasa sa provider enrollment. Ang county ang nagdedesisyon sa bawat kaso. Si Lola (o ang kanyang representative) ang "employer" mo sa papel, pero ang State of California ang nagbabayad ng sweldo mo. Hindi ito utang na loob lang — trabaho ito na may timesheet, sweldo, at sick leave.
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1. Your Parent Must Have Medi-Cal
IHSS requires Medi-Cal. According to CDSS, every IHSS applicant must (CDSS):
- be a California resident;
- have a Medi-Cal eligibility determination (LA County says: apply for Medi-Cal if you don't already have it — DPSS);
- live at home or "an abode of your own choosing" — hospitals, long-term care facilities, and licensed community care facilities do not count;
- submit a completed Health Care Certification (SOC 873);
- and be aged, blind, or disabled.
Medi-Cal applications (online, by phone, by mail, or at a county office): DHCS: Apply for Medi-Cal.
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2. Share of Cost: What It Is and How It Can Affect IHSS
What it is. Some Medi-Cal programs have a share of cost (SOC): the amount your parent must pay, or promise to pay, for health care each month before Medi-Cal starts to pay. The Notice of Action after approval says whether there is an SOC and how much. The amount resets each month and is owed to the provider, not to the State (DHCS: Medi-Cal Help).
How it can affect IHSS — and your pay (CDSS: IHSS Share-of-Cost fact sheet):
- The SOC lets a person with income above the limit still get IHSS if they agree to pay it.
- Your parent can pay the SOC to you (the IHSS provider), a pharmacy, a doctor's office, or for other medical services or goods.
- Any SOC not yet paid when your timesheet is processed is subtracted from your paycheck, and your parent pays you that part directly. The amount can change each pay period. It shows on the timesheet as "Share-of-Cost Liability."
- Paying the full SOC is a condition of IHSS. If it isn't paid within the month, IHSS can be terminated (CDSS MPP 30-755).
Questions about an SOC: contact your county IHSS office or Public Authority (CDSS fact sheet).
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3. SSI and SSI-Linked Medi-Cal
SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is a federal monthly payment for people who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled and have little income and few resources. Countable resources must be under $2,000 (single) or $3,000 (married couple). California adds a state supplement to the federal payment (SSA: SSI in California).
- SSI usually brings Medi-Cal automatically in California, so a separate Medi-Cal application isn't necessary (SSA: SSI in California). That covers link 1 of the chain.
- Not on SSI? Your parent can still apply for Medi-Cal directly (Section 1).
- Noncitizens: most must be in a "qualified alien" category and meet an extra condition, such as being a green card holder with 40 qualifying quarters of work. Someone who entered on or after Aug 22, 1996 may not be eligible for the first five years as a green card holder (SSA: SSI Spotlight on Noncitizens; SSA: SSI Eligibility).
- CAPI: a state-funded cash program for aged, blind, or disabled noncitizens who are ineligible for SSI only because of immigration status. Unlike SSI, CAPI has no automatic link to Medi-Cal or IHSS; you must apply for each separately (CDSS: CAPI).
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4. Immigration Status, Citizenship, and Timing
This is general information only. Status and timing rules are complicated, so get help for your own family (see "Where to get help" below).
Medi-Cal changes for some immigrant adults (DHCS: Medi-Cal changes; DHCS: Dental benefit changes):
- Since Jan 1, 2026, adults 19+ without satisfactory immigration status cannot newly enroll in full-scope Medi-Cal. New applicants get restricted-scope coverage only (emergency, pregnancy, nursing home care).
- People already enrolled keep full-scope coverage if they renew on time.
- Full dental for this group ends Jul 1, 2027 (delayed from 2026). After that, emergency dental only.
- Starting Jul 1, 2027, adults 19–59 in this group pay a $30/month premium.
- Children 0–18, pregnant people (through 1 year postpartum), and former foster youth under 26 are exempt.
Note: one DHCS FAQ page still shows the old 2026 dental date, while DHCS's dental-changes page says the change was delayed. Because IHSS requires Medi-Cal, ask the county how these changes affect your family member.
Citizenship and timing, in general:
- Medi-Cal: the 2026 changes depend on immigration status and on whether someone was already enrolled and renews on time (DHCS: Immigrant Eligibility FAQs).
- SSI: U.S. citizens meet SSI's citizenship rule. Noncitizens must meet the qualified-alien rules and conditions in Section 3, and timing (such as the five-year rule) can matter (SSA: SSI Eligibility).
- If your parent's status changes (for example, they become a U.S. citizen), tell the county and SSA. How and when the change updates their Medi-Cal or SSI depends on the case, so ask the county or SSA.
Public charge note (general rule only). A new federal public charge rule took effect on September 18, 2026. If public charge applies to a case, immigration officers will review means-tested benefits, including Medi-Cal, received on or after that date. Public charge does not apply to everyone, and it does not decide who can get Medi-Cal. Using a benefit does not automatically decide an immigration case. Benefits used by family members are not treated as the applicant's own, but officers can look at them when reviewing the family's money and support (CHHS: Public Charge; CHHS Public Charge Guide, Sept 2026; CHHS Self-Assessment Tool). Whether and how it affects your family depends on your case. CHHS says to talk with a licensed immigration attorney before changing any benefits.
Where to get help with your family's situation:
- Free immigration legal help from nonprofits funded by the California Department of Social Services (the list CHHS points to): CDSS: Public Charge Contact List and CDSS: Legal Services Providers.
- Free health-coverage legal help: Health Consumer Alliance, 1-888-804-3536 (DHCS).
- Medi-Cal questions: your county social services office.
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5. How Your Parent Applies: the Home Visit and Hours
5.1 Apply. Submit the SOC 295 Application for IHSS to your county IHSS office (CDSS — a Tagalog SOC 295 is available there). In Los Angeles County you can apply (DPSS):
- by phone: (888) 944-4477 or (213) 744-4477;
- by mail: DPSS In-Home Supportive Services, PO Box 769, Rosemead, CA 91770;
- by secure fax: (562) 684-4264.
5.2 Health Care Certification (SOC 873). A physician or other licensed health care professional fills it out, and the county must receive it before services can be authorized (DPSS). Doctors and clinics may not charge a fee for IHSS eligibility forms (Health & Safety Code § 123114, per CDSS).
5.3 Home assessment and hours. A county social worker visits the home and assesses which tasks the person cannot safely do alone, then authorizes hours for each service. Family, friends, or a doctor may give information. You will get a notice saying approved or denied, and if approved, the hours per month. Reassessments happen yearly, and you may ask for one any time needs change (CDSS). Monthly hours are capped: 283 hours/month for "severely impaired" recipients (assessed need of at least 20 hours/week), otherwise 195 hours/month (Welf. & Inst. Code § 12303.4; CDSS MPP 30-765).
In Taglish — "Paano kung nahihiya si Tatay sa social worker?"
Normal 'yan sa ating kultura — ayaw nating magmukhang mahina. Pero sa home visit, mahalagang sabihin ang totoo kung ano ang hindi na niya kayang gawin nang ligtas (pagligo, pagbihis, pag-inom ng gamot). Puwedeng sumama ang pamilya at magbigay ng tapat na impormasyon. Kung may tanong sa resulta, puwedeng humingi ng tulong sa county o legal aid.
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6. Family Members as Providers: Special Rules
- Adult child, sibling, other relatives: may be paid providers after completing enrollment (Section 7) (DPSS).
- Spouse: a spouse who doesn't receive IHSS is presumed able and available, so no one is paid for domestic tasks, related services (such as laundry and shopping), yard hazard abatement, teaching and demonstration, or heavy cleaning. A spouse may be paid for personal care and paramedical services. Meal preparation, transportation, and protective supervision can be paid only when the spouse is away for work, health, or another unavoidable reason. A spouse may also be paid for accompaniment and protective supervision if they leave, or can't take, full-time work because no other suitable provider is available (CDSS MPP 30-763.41–.416; LA DPSS policy).
- Parent of a minor child: since ACL 23-106 (effective about Feb 20, 2024), according to CDSS, a minor in certain IHSS sub-programs may generally hire any enrolled provider, including a parent. Limits apply depending on the sub-program and the services, so check the CDSS and county pages below or ask the county for the current rules (CDSS: IHSS for Children; ACL 23-106; LA DPSS policy).
- Protective Supervision: available only for watching someone who is "nonself-directing, confused, mentally impaired, or mentally ill" to keep them from getting hurt (CDSS MPP 30-757.171). For children, the child must need more supervision than a child the same age without the condition (CDSS PUB 522).
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7. Becoming an Enrolled Provider (You)
Contact your county IHSS office or Public Authority (in LA County, the Personal Assistance Services Council, PASC, (877) 565-4477 — DPSS Providers). CDSS does not run orientations or process enrollment forms (CDSS: Orientation Process). The steps (SOC 847):
- Complete and return the Provider Enrollment Form (SOC 426) to the county or Public Authority (SOC 426).
- Get fingerprinted (Live Scan) for a California DOJ criminal background check. The provider pays the fingerprinting and background-check costs (SOC 426).
- Attend the county provider orientation.
- Sign the Provider Enrollment Agreement (SOC 846) (SOC 846). You also complete Form I-9 (legal right to work in the U.S.), which the recipient keeps (SOC 846).
All steps must be done within 90 days, or you must start over (SOC 847).
Background check and past convictions. Certain criminal convictions can disqualify a person from being an IHSS provider. Some may be eligible for a waiver or exception and some are not. The current list and rules are on the SOC 426 form. If you have a past conviction, talk to a legal aid office or attorney before applying.
In Taglish — "May kaso ako dati, puwede pa ba?"
Depende sa kaso. May mga krimen na puwedeng ma-waive at may mga hindi; nasa SOC 426 form ang listahan. Dumadaan sa DOJ background check ang lahat ng provider, kaya mahalaga ang tapat at kumpletong sagot. Para sa sarili mong sitwasyon, magtanong sa legal aid o abogado bago mag-apply.
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8. Your Timesheets, Pay, Hours Limits, Sick Leave, and Taxes
8.1 Timesheets and EVV. Providers submit timesheets through the Electronic Services Portal (ESP), etimesheets.ihss.ca.gov, or the Telephone Timesheet System. Under federal Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) rules, providers who do not live with the recipient must check in and out with start time, end time, and location. Live-in providers who submitted the SOC 2298 only report daily and total hours (CDSS: EVV). Timesheet help: IHSS Service Desk (866) 376-7066 (CDSS).
8.2 Pay (LA County). The county IHSS wage is $19.64/hour (LA County DPSS: IHSS Providers), effective Jan 1, 2026 per county Board materials (motion confirmed Oct 14, 2026) (LA County BOS motion). Wages vary by county (CDSS: County IHSS Wage Rates). The State issues the paychecks (CDSS).
8.3 Overtime and hours limits (CDSS ACL 16-01; CDSS overtime requirements):
- Overtime at 1.5× the regular rate for hours over 40 per workweek (Sunday 12:00 a.m. to Saturday 11:59 p.m.).
- Up to 70 hrs 45 min a week if you work for one recipient, or 66 hrs total for two or more, and never more than the county-authorized hours.
- Paid travel time directly between two recipients is capped at 7 hours per workweek. It does not count toward the weekly limit (70 hrs 45 min for one recipient, or 66 hrs for two or more), and home-to-work travel is not paid.
- Limited exemptions allow up to 90 hours/week and 360 hours/month (e.g., certain live-in family providers caring for two or more recipients) (CDSS Exemption 2).
- Going over the limits leads to violations (CDSS ACL 16-36; SOC 2282):
- Disputing one: you have 10 calendar days from the notice date to ask the county to review it (SOC 2272). The county then has 10 business days to review.
- 1st violation: a notice.
- 2nd: can be removed by completing a one-time training within 14 calendar days.
- 3rd: a 90-day suspension.
- 4th: 1 year ineligible, then you must re-enroll as a new provider.
- For a 3rd or 4th violation, you request a state administrative review within 10 calendar days (SOC 2273).
8.4 Paid sick leave. For FY 2026–27, providers get 40 hours starting July 1, 2026 (CDSS: Sick Leave). New providers earn it after working 100 hours, then must work 200 more hours or 60 calendar days (whichever comes first) before using it. Unused hours expire June 30. Claim through ESP or the SOC 2302 form.
8.5 Taxes for live-in providers.
- Income tax: Under IRS Notice 2014-7, certain Medicaid waiver payments for care in the provider's own home are treated as excludable "difficulty of care" payments (IRS FAQ). CDSS confirms it received an IRS ruling on Mar 1, 2016 that IHSS wages of providers who live in the same home as the recipient are excluded from federal income tax, and that the ruling also covers California income tax (CDSS; CDSS press release). Self-certification began January 2017. You claim this by self-certifying on the SOC 2298 (CDSS: Live-in Self-Certification; SOC 2298).
- Earned income credit: you may choose to include all (not part) of these payments as earned income for the federal EIC/ACTC (IRS FAQ Q9) and CalEITC (CDSS).
- Social Security/Medicare (FICA): the SOC 2298 does not change FICA (CDSS). Under IRS rules for domestic service, pay for caring for a spouse or a child, or for a parent by a child under 21, is generally not subject to FICA. An adult child (21+) caring for a parent generally is subject to FICA (IRS FAQ Q19; see IRS Publication 926). How IHSS payroll applies these exceptions to a specific case is a question for a tax professional.
- Past years: you may be able to amend past returns with Form 1040-X within the refund deadline (IRS FAQ Q10). Talk to a tax professional.
In Taglish — "Nakatira ako kasama si Nanay — kailangan ko bang magbayad ng income tax sa IHSS sweldo?"
Kung magkasama kayo sa iisang bahay at nag-file ka ng SOC 2298, karaniwang hindi na kasama ang IHSS sweldo sa federal at California income tax. Pero may Social Security/Medicare pa rin, lalo na kung 21 pataas ka at magulang mo ang inaalagaan. Magtanong sa tax preparer, lalo na kung gusto mong mag-claim ng EITC.
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9. Appeals, Scams, and Red Flags
9.1 State hearings. If the county denies, cuts, or stops IHSS, you can ask for a state hearing. You have only 90 days from the action, usually the Notice of Action date. If you file before the effective date on the notice, benefits generally continue ("aid pending") until the decision. Request one online through the CDSS State Hearing Requests page, by phone at 1-800-743-8525, or in writing (the back of the Notice of Action, or a letter to CDSS State Hearings Division, P.O. Box 944243, Mail Station 9-17-442, Sacramento, CA 94244-2430). A non-lawyer friend or relative may represent you (CDSS: State Hearings).
9.2 Red flags:
- Anyone charging money to "guarantee" IHSS approval or more hours.
- Requests to sign timesheets for hours not worked, or to share your ESP login.
- A doctor's office charging to complete the SOC 873 (not allowed — report to CDSS at (916) 651-5350) (CDSS).
- In general, be careful with anyone who asks for money or a share of a provider's pay in exchange for IHSS help. If someone asks for money to help with IHSS, check first with your county IHSS office.
9.3 Report (CDSS):
- IHSS Fraud Hotline: 1-888-717-8302.
- Medi-Cal fraud and elder abuse complaint line: 1-800-722-0432.
- Adult Protective Services hotline: 1-833-401-0832.
In Taglish — "Ok lang ba na i-timesheet ko kahit hindi ko nagawa, para lang may pandagdag?"
Hindi po. Ang pag-claim ng oras na hindi mo talaga ginawa ay fraud — puwede kang matanggal bilang provider, pagbayarin, o makasuhan. Ilagay lang ang totoong oras. Kung kulang ang hours ni Lolo, humingi ng reassessment sa county sa halip na dagdagan ang timesheet.
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Huling update: Okt 23, 2026. Sinuri ang mga katotohanan sa mga opisyal na website noong Okt 23, 2026. Nagbabago ang mga patakaran at bayarin, kaya palaging i-confirm sa opisyal na source na naka-link sa bawat seksyon.
MAHALAGA — PARA SA KAALAMAN LAMANG, HINDI ITO LEGAL O TAX ADVICE. Ipinapaliwanag ng gabay na ito, sa pangkalahatan, kung paano gumagana ang In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program ng California. Hindi ito legal, tax, o benefits advice para sa sinumang partikular na tao, at hindi ito lumilikha ng attorney-client relationship. Nagbabago ang mga patakaran, sweldo, at form, at ang inyong county ang nagdedesisyon sa inyong kaso. Para sa mga tanong tungkol sa sarili ninyong sitwasyon, kontakin ang IHSS office ng inyong county, isang legal services office, o isang qualified tax professional. Hindi masasagot ng sumulat ng gabay na ito ang mga tanong tungkol sa indibidwal na kaso.
Ang Maikling Sagot
Maraming kapamilyang caregiver ang puwedeng mabayaran sa pamamagitan ng IHSS, kung qualified ang magulang at makumpleto ng caregiver ang enrollment. Ang In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program ng California ay tumutulong magbayad para sa tulong sa bahay para sa mga qualified na aged, blind, at disabled na tao upang sila ay ligtas na makatira sa bahay (CDSS: IHSS Program). Puwedeng maging provider ang mga kapamilya, kasama ang adult children (LA County DPSS: IHSS). Ang inyong magulang (ang recipient) ang itinuturing na employer ninyo sa papel, at ang State ang nag-iisyu ng paycheck (CDSS).
Sa pangkalahatan, parang chain ito. Kailangang tumagal ang bawat link:
- Kailangang may Medi-Cal ang inyong magulang (Section 1).
- Ang share of cost ay puwedeng nangangahulugan na bahagi ng gastos ang binabayaran ng inyong magulang bawat buwan, at bahagi ng sweldo ninyo ay puwedeng magmula sa inyong magulang (Section 2).
- Ang SSI ay puwedeng magdala ng Medi-Cal (Section 3).
- Ang immigration status at timing ng citizenship ay puwedeng makaapekto kung aling Medi-Cal at SSI ang puwedeng makuha ng inyong magulang (Section 4).
- Pagkatapos, nag-a-apply ang magulang para sa IHSS, itinatakda ng county ang oras (Section 5), at puwedeng mag-enroll ang caregiver bilang bayad na provider (Sections 6–8).
In Taglish — "Puwede ba akong mabayaran para alagaan si Lola?"
Karaniwan, maraming kapamilya ang nababayaran — kung qualified si Lola sa IHSS at makapasa sa provider enrollment. Ang county ang nagdedesisyon sa bawat kaso. Si Lola (o ang kanyang representative) ang "employer" mo sa papel, pero ang State of California ang nagbabayad ng sweldo mo. Hindi ito utang na loob lang — trabaho ito na may timesheet, sweldo, at sick leave.
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1. Kailangang May Medi-Cal ang Inyong Magulang
Kailangan ng IHSS ang Medi-Cal. Ayon sa CDSS, ang bawat IHSS applicant ay kailangang (CDSS):
- maging residente ng California;
- magkaroon ng Medi-Cal eligibility determination (ayon sa LA County: mag-apply para sa Medi-Cal kung wala pa kayo nito — DPSS);
- tumira sa bahay o "an abode of your own choosing" — hindi kasama ang hospitals, long-term care facilities, at licensed community care facilities;
- magsumite ng kumpletong Health Care Certification (SOC 873);
- at maging aged, blind, o disabled.
Mga application sa Medi-Cal (online, sa telepono, sa koreo, o sa opisina ng county): DHCS: Apply for Medi-Cal.
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2. Share of Cost: Ano Ito at Paano Ito Makakaapekto sa IHSS
Ano ito. Ang ilang programa ng Medi-Cal ay may share of cost (SOC): ang halagang kailangang bayaran, o pangakong bayaran, ng inyong magulang para sa health care bawat buwan bago magsimulang magbayad ang Medi-Cal. Sinasabi ng Notice of Action pagkatapos ng approval kung may SOC at kung magkano. Nagre-reset ang halaga bawat buwan at ito ay utang sa provider, hindi sa State (DHCS: Medi-Cal Help).
Paano ito makakaapekto sa IHSS — at sa inyong sweldo (CDSS: IHSS Share-of-Cost fact sheet):
- Sa pamamagitan ng SOC, ang taong lampas sa limit ang kita ay puwede pa ring makakuha ng IHSS kung papayag siyang bayaran ito.
- Puwedeng bayaran ng inyong magulang ang SOC sa inyo (ang IHSS provider), sa pharmacy, sa opisina ng doktor, o para sa iba pang medical services o goods.
- Ang anumang SOC na hindi pa nababayaran kapag pineproseso ang timesheet ninyo ay ibinabawas sa inyong paycheck, at ang bahaging iyon ay direktang binabayaran sa inyo ng inyong magulang. Puwedeng magbago ang halaga bawat pay period. Makikita ito sa timesheet bilang "Share-of-Cost Liability."
- Ang pagbabayad ng buong SOC ay kundisyon ng IHSS. Kung hindi ito mababayaran sa loob ng buwan, puwedeng matigil ang IHSS (CDSS MPP 30-755).
Mga tanong tungkol sa SOC: kontakin ang IHSS office o Public Authority ng inyong county (CDSS fact sheet).
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3. SSI at SSI-Linked Medi-Cal
Ang SSI (Supplemental Security Income) ay buwanang bayad ng pederal para sa mga taong 65 o mas matanda, blind, o disabled at mababa ang kita at kakaunti ang resources. Ang countable resources ay kailangang mas mababa sa $2,000 (single) o $3,000 (married couple). Nagdaragdag ang California ng state supplement sa federal payment (SSA: SSI in California).
- Karaniwang awtomatikong dumarating ang Medi-Cal kasama ng SSI sa California, kaya hindi na kailangan ng hiwalay na application sa Medi-Cal (SSA: SSI in California). Nasasaklaw nito ang link 1 ng chain.
- Hindi naka-SSI? Puwede pa ring mag-apply nang direkta ang inyong magulang para sa Medi-Cal (Section 1).
- Mga noncitizen: karamihan ay kailangang nasa "qualified alien" category at matugunan ang karagdagang kundisyon, tulad ng pagiging green card holder na may 40 qualifying quarters of work. Ang taong pumasok sa o pagkatapos ng Aug 22, 1996 ay puwedeng hindi eligible sa unang limang taon bilang green card holder (SSA: SSI Spotlight on Noncitizens; SSA: SSI Eligibility).
- CAPI: isang cash program na pinopondohan ng estado para sa aged, blind, o disabled na noncitizen na hindi eligible sa SSI lang dahil sa immigration status. Hindi tulad ng SSI, walang awtomatikong link ang CAPI sa Medi-Cal o IHSS; kailangan ninyong mag-apply sa bawat isa nang hiwalay (CDSS: CAPI).
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4. Immigration Status, Citizenship, at Timing
Pangkalahatang impormasyon lang ito. Kumplikado ang mga patakaran sa status at timing, kaya humingi ng tulong para sa sarili ninyong pamilya (tingnan ang "Saan hihingi ng tulong" sa ibaba).
Mga pagbabago sa Medi-Cal para sa ilang immigrant adults (DHCS: Medi-Cal changes; DHCS: Dental benefit changes):
- Simula Jan 1, 2026, ang mga adult na 19+ na walang satisfactory immigration status ay hindi puwedeng bagong mag-enroll sa full-scope Medi-Cal. Restricted-scope coverage lang ang makukuha ng mga bagong applicant (emergency, pregnancy, nursing home care).
- Ang mga naka-enroll na ay pinananatili ang full-scope coverage kung magre-renew sila sa oras.
- Magtatapos ang full dental para sa grupong ito sa Jul 1, 2027 (naantala mula 2026). Pagkatapos noon, emergency dental na lang.
- Simula Jul 1, 2027, ang mga adult na 19–59 sa grupong ito ay magbabayad ng $30/month na premium.
- Exempted ang mga batang 0–18, mga buntis (hanggang 1 taon postpartum), at dating foster youth na wala pang 26.
Paalala: may isang FAQ page ng DHCS na nagpapakita pa rin ng lumang 2026 dental date, samantalang sinasabi ng dental-changes page ng DHCS na naantala ang pagbabago. Dahil kailangan ng IHSS ang Medi-Cal, itanong sa county kung paano naaapektuhan ng mga pagbabagong ito ang inyong kapamilya.
Citizenship at timing, sa pangkalahatan:
- Medi-Cal: ang mga pagbabago sa 2026 ay nakadepende sa immigration status at kung naka-enroll na ang tao at nagre-renew sa oras (DHCS: Immigrant Eligibility FAQs).
- SSI: natutugunan ng mga U.S. citizen ang citizenship rule ng SSI. Ang mga noncitizen ay kailangang matugunan ang qualified-alien rules at mga kundisyon sa Section 3, at puwedeng maging mahalaga ang timing (tulad ng five-year rule) (SSA: SSI Eligibility).
- Kung magbago ang status ng inyong magulang (halimbawa, sila ay naging U.S. citizen), sabihin ito sa county at sa SSA. Kung paano at kailan ina-update ng pagbabago ang kanilang Medi-Cal o SSI ay nakadepende sa kaso, kaya magtanong sa county o SSA.
Paalala tungkol sa public charge (pangkalahatang patakaran lang). Isang bagong federal public charge rule ang naging epektibo noong September 18, 2026. Kung naaangkop ang public charge sa isang kaso, rerebyuhin ng immigration officers ang means-tested benefits, kasama ang Medi-Cal, na natanggap sa o pagkatapos ng petsang iyon. Hindi naaangkop ang public charge sa lahat, at hindi nito dinidiktahan kung sino ang puwedeng makakuha ng Medi-Cal. Ang paggamit ng benefit ay hindi awtomatikong nagdedesisyon sa isang immigration case. Ang benefits na ginamit ng mga kapamilya ay hindi itinuturing na pag-aari ng applicant, pero puwedeng tingnan ito ng officers kapag rine-review ang pera at suporta ng pamilya (CHHS: Public Charge; CHHS Public Charge Guide, Sept 2026; CHHS Self-Assessment Tool). Kung paano nito maaapektuhan ang inyong pamilya ay nakadepende sa inyong kaso. Sinasabi ng CHHS na kumausap ng lisensiyadong immigration attorney bago baguhin ang anumang benefits.
Saan hihingi ng tulong para sa sitwasyon ng inyong pamilya:
- Libreng immigration legal help mula sa mga nonprofit na pinopondohan ng California Department of Social Services (ang listahan na itinuturo ng CHHS): CDSS: Public Charge Contact List at CDSS: Legal Services Providers.
- Libreng legal help sa health coverage: Health Consumer Alliance, 1-888-804-3536 (DHCS).
- Mga tanong sa Medi-Cal: ang social services office ng inyong county.
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5. Paano Mag-a-apply ang Inyong Magulang: ang Home Visit at ang Oras
5.1 Mag-apply. Isumite ang SOC 295 Application for IHSS sa IHSS office ng inyong county (CDSS — may Tagalog SOC 295 doon). Sa Los Angeles County, puwede kayong mag-apply (DPSS):
- sa telepono: (888) 944-4477 o (213) 744-4477;
- sa koreo: DPSS In-Home Supportive Services, PO Box 769, Rosemead, CA 91770;
- sa secure fax: (562) 684-4264.
5.2 Health Care Certification (SOC 873). Pinupunan ito ng physician o ibang licensed health care professional, at kailangang matanggap ito ng county bago ma-authorize ang services (DPSS). Hindi puwedeng maningil ng fee ang mga doktor at clinic para sa IHSS eligibility forms (Health & Safety Code § 123114, ayon sa CDSS).
5.3 Home assessment at oras. Bibisita sa bahay ang county social worker at tatasahin kung aling mga gawain ang hindi na ligtas na magawa nang mag-isa ng tao, pagkatapos ay mag-a-authorize ng oras para sa bawat serbisyo. Puwedeng magbigay ng impormasyon ang pamilya, kaibigan, o doktor. Makakatanggap kayo ng notice kung approved o denied, at kung approved, kung ilang oras bawat buwan. May reassessment bawat taon, at puwede kayong humingi nito anumang oras na magbago ang pangangailangan (CDSS). May cap ang buwanang oras: 283 hours/month para sa "severely impaired" recipients (assessed need na hindi bababa sa 20 hours/week), kung hindi ay 195 hours/month (Welf. & Inst. Code § 12303.4; CDSS MPP 30-765).
In Taglish — "Paano kung nahihiya si Tatay sa social worker?"
Normal 'yan sa ating kultura — ayaw nating magmukhang mahina. Pero sa home visit, mahalagang sabihin ang totoo kung ano ang hindi na niya kayang gawin nang ligtas (pagligo, pagbihis, pag-inom ng gamot). Puwedeng sumama ang pamilya at magbigay ng tapat na impormasyon. Kung may tanong sa resulta, puwedeng humingi ng tulong sa county o legal aid.
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6. Mga Kapamilya Bilang Provider: Mga Espesyal na Patakaran
- Adult child, kapatid, ibang kamag-anak: puwedeng maging bayad na provider pagkatapos makumpleto ang enrollment (Section 7) (DPSS).
- Asawa: ang asawang hindi tumatanggap ng IHSS ay presumed na able at available, kaya walang sinuman ang binabayaran para sa domestic tasks, related services (tulad ng paglalaba at pamimili), yard hazard abatement, teaching and demonstration, o heavy cleaning. Puwedeng mabayaran ang asawa para sa personal care at paramedical services. Ang meal preparation, transportation, at protective supervision ay puwedeng bayaran lang kapag wala ang asawa dahil sa trabaho, kalusugan, o ibang hindi maiiwasang dahilan. Puwede ring mabayaran ang asawa para sa accompaniment at protective supervision kung aalis sila, o hindi sila makakuha, ng full-time work dahil walang ibang suitable provider (CDSS MPP 30-763.41–.416; LA DPSS policy).
- Magulang ng menor de edad: simula ACL 23-106 (epektibo noong humigit-kumulang Feb 20, 2024), ayon sa CDSS, ang menor de edad sa ilang IHSS sub-program, sa pangkalahatan, ay puwedeng umarkila ng anumang enrolled provider, kasama ang magulang. May mga limitasyon depende sa sub-program at sa mga serbisyo, kaya tingnan ang mga page ng CDSS at county sa ibaba o itanong sa county ang kasalukuyang patakaran (CDSS: IHSS for Children; ACL 23-106; LA DPSS policy).
- Protective Supervision: available lang para sa pagbabantay sa taong "nonself-directing, confused, mentally impaired, or mentally ill" upang hindi sila masaktan (CDSS MPP 30-757.171). Para sa mga bata, kailangang mas higit ang supervision na kailangan ng bata kaysa sa batang kapareho ng edad na walang ganitong kondisyon (CDSS PUB 522).
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7. Pagiging Enrolled Provider (Kayo)
Kontakin ang IHSS office ng inyong county o ang Public Authority (sa LA County, ang Personal Assistance Services Council, PASC, (877) 565-4477 — DPSS Providers). Hindi nagpapatakbo ang CDSS ng orientations o nagpoproseso ng enrollment forms (CDSS: Orientation Process). Ang mga hakbang (SOC 847):
- Kumpletuhin at isauli ang Provider Enrollment Form (SOC 426) sa county o Public Authority (SOC 426).
- Magpafingerprint (Live Scan) para sa California DOJ criminal background check. Ang provider ang nagbabayad ng fingerprinting at background-check costs (SOC 426).
- Dumalo sa provider orientation ng county.
- Pirmahan ang Provider Enrollment Agreement (SOC 846) (SOC 846). Pupunan din ninyo ang Form I-9 (legal right to work sa U.S.), na itinatago ng recipient (SOC 846).
Kailangang tapusin ang lahat ng hakbang sa loob ng 90 araw, o kailangan ninyong magsimula ulit (SOC 847).
Background check at mga dating conviction. Ang ilang criminal conviction ay puwedeng mag-disqualify sa isang tao bilang IHSS provider. Ang ilan ay puwedeng eligible para sa waiver o exception at ang ilan ay hindi. Nasa SOC 426 form ang kasalukuyang listahan at mga patakaran. Kung may dating conviction kayo, kausapin ang legal aid office o abogado bago mag-apply.
In Taglish — "May kaso ako dati, puwede pa ba?"
Depende sa kaso. May mga krimen na puwedeng ma-waive at may mga hindi; nasa SOC 426 form ang listahan. Dumadaan sa DOJ background check ang lahat ng provider, kaya mahalaga ang tapat at kumpletong sagot. Para sa sarili mong sitwasyon, magtanong sa legal aid o abogado bago mag-apply.
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8. Ang Inyong Timesheet, Sweldo, Limit sa Oras, Sick Leave, at Buwis
8.1 Timesheet at EVV. Nagsusumite ang providers ng timesheet sa pamamagitan ng Electronic Services Portal (ESP), etimesheets.ihss.ca.gov, o ng Telephone Timesheet System. Sa ilalim ng federal Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) rules, ang providers na hindi nakatira kasama ang recipient ay kailangang mag-check in at check out na may start time, end time, at location. Ang live-in providers na nagsumite ng SOC 2298 ay nagre-report lang ng daily at total hours (CDSS: EVV). Tulong sa timesheet: IHSS Service Desk (866) 376-7066 (CDSS).
8.2 Sweldo (LA County). Ang IHSS wage ng county ay $19.64/hour (LA County DPSS: IHSS Providers), epektibo Jan 1, 2026 ayon sa county Board materials (nakumpirma ang motion noong Oct 14, 2026) (LA County BOS motion). Nag-iiba ang sweldo ayon sa county (CDSS: County IHSS Wage Rates). Ang State ang nag-iisyu ng paycheck (CDSS).
8.3 Overtime at limit sa oras (CDSS ACL 16-01; CDSS overtime requirements):
- Overtime na 1.5× ng regular rate para sa oras na higit sa 40 per workweek (Linggo 12:00 a.m. hanggang Sabado 11:59 p.m.).
- Hanggang 70 hrs 45 min sa isang linggo kung isa lang ang recipient ninyo, o 66 hrs sa kabuuan para sa dalawa o higit pa, at hindi kailanman higit sa oras na ina-authorize ng county.
- Ang bayad na travel time direkta sa pagitan ng dalawang recipient ay naka-cap sa 7 hours per workweek. Hindi ito binibilang sa weekly limit (70 hrs 45 min para sa isang recipient, o 66 hrs para sa dalawa o higit pa), at hindi binabayaran ang home-to-work travel.
- Ang limitadong exemptions ay nagpapahintulot ng hanggang 90 hours/week at 360 hours/month (hal., ilang live-in family providers na nag-aalaga sa dalawa o higit pang recipient) (CDSS Exemption 2).
- Ang paglampas sa mga limit ay nagreresulta sa violations (CDSS ACL 16-36; SOC 2282):
- Pagtutol sa isa: mayroon kayong 10 calendar days mula sa petsa ng notice para hilingin sa county na i-review ito (SOC 2272). Pagkatapos, may 10 business days ang county para i-review.
- 1st violation: isang notice.
- 2nd: puwedeng maalis sa pamamagitan ng pagkumpleto ng one-time training sa loob ng 14 calendar days.
- 3rd: isang 90-day suspension.
- 4th: 1 year na hindi eligible, pagkatapos ay kailangan ninyong mag-enroll ulit bilang bagong provider.
- Para sa 3rd o 4th violation, humihingi kayo ng state administrative review sa loob ng 10 calendar days (SOC 2273).
8.4 Paid sick leave. Para sa FY 2026–27, nakakakuha ang providers ng 40 hours simula July 1, 2026 (CDSS: Sick Leave). Ang mga bagong provider ay nakakakuha nito pagkatapos magtrabaho ng 100 hours, pagkatapos ay kailangang magtrabaho ng 200 pang oras o 60 calendar days (alinman ang mauna) bago ito magamit. Mag-e-expire ang hindi nagamit na oras sa June 30. I-claim ito sa pamamagitan ng ESP o ng SOC 2302 form.
8.5 Buwis para sa live-in providers.
- Income tax: Sa ilalim ng IRS Notice 2014-7, ang ilang Medicaid waiver payments para sa pag-aalaga sa sariling tahanan ng provider ay itinuturing na excludable "difficulty of care" payments (IRS FAQ). Kinukumpirma ng CDSS na nakatanggap ito ng IRS ruling noong Mar 1, 2016 na ang IHSS wages ng providers na nakatira sa iisang bahay ng recipient ay excluded sa federal income tax, at na sakop din ng ruling ang California income tax (CDSS; CDSS press release). Nagsimula ang self-certification noong January 2017. Iki-claim ninyo ito sa pamamagitan ng self-certifying sa SOC 2298 (CDSS: Live-in Self-Certification; SOC 2298).
- Earned income credit: puwede ninyong piliing isama ang lahat (hindi bahagi) ng mga bayad na ito bilang earned income para sa federal EIC/ACTC (IRS FAQ Q9) at CalEITC (CDSS).
- Social Security/Medicare (FICA): hindi binabago ng SOC 2298 ang FICA (CDSS). Sa ilalim ng IRS rules para sa domestic service, ang bayad para sa pag-aalaga sa asawa o anak, o para sa magulang ng anak na wala pang 21, sa pangkalahatan ay hindi subject sa FICA. Ang adult child (21+) na nag-aalaga sa magulang, sa pangkalahatan, ay subject sa FICA (IRS FAQ Q19; tingnan ang IRS Publication 926). Kung paano ina-apply ng IHSS payroll ang mga exception na ito sa isang partikular na kaso ay tanong para sa tax professional.
- Mga nakaraang taon: puwede ninyong i-amend ang mga nakaraang return gamit ang Form 1040-X sa loob ng refund deadline (IRS FAQ Q10). Kausapin ang isang tax professional.
In Taglish — "Nakatira ako kasama si Nanay — kailangan ko bang magbayad ng income tax sa IHSS sweldo?"
Kung magkasama kayo sa iisang bahay at nag-file ka ng SOC 2298, karaniwang hindi na kasama ang IHSS sweldo sa federal at California income tax. Pero may Social Security/Medicare pa rin, lalo na kung 21 pataas ka at magulang mo ang inaalagaan. Magtanong sa tax preparer, lalo na kung gusto mong mag-claim ng EITC.
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9. Mga Appeal, Scam, at Red Flag
9.1 State hearings. Kung tatanggihan, babawasan, o titigil ng county ang IHSS, puwede kayong humingi ng state hearing. 90 araw lang ang mayroon kayo mula sa aksyon, kadalasan ang petsa ng Notice of Action. Kung magfa-file kayo bago ang effective date sa notice, sa pangkalahatan ay magpapatuloy ang benefits ("aid pending") hanggang sa desisyon. Humingi nito online sa CDSS State Hearing Requests page, sa telepono sa 1-800-743-8525, o sa sulat (ang likod ng Notice of Action, o isang liham sa CDSS State Hearings Division, P.O. Box 944243, Mail Station 9-17-442, Sacramento, CA 94244-2430). Puwedeng kumatawan sa inyo ang kaibigan o kamag-anak na hindi abogado (CDSS: State Hearings).
9.2 Mga red flag:
- Sinumang naniningil ng pera para "gagarantiya" ang approval sa IHSS o mas maraming oras.
- Mga kahilingang pirmahan ang timesheet para sa oras na hindi ninyo ginawa, o ibahagi ang inyong ESP login.
- Opisina ng doktor na naniningil para punan ang SOC 873 (hindi pinapayagan — i-report sa CDSS sa (916) 651-5350) (CDSS).
- Sa pangkalahatan, mag-ingat sa sinumang humihingi ng pera o bahagi ng sweldo ng provider kapalit ng tulong sa IHSS. Kung may humingi ng pera para tumulong sa IHSS, i-check muna sa IHSS office ng inyong county.
9.3 Mag-report (CDSS):
- IHSS Fraud Hotline: 1-888-717-8302.
- Medi-Cal fraud and elder abuse complaint line: 1-800-722-0432.
- Adult Protective Services hotline: 1-833-401-0832.
In Taglish — "Ok lang ba na i-timesheet ko kahit hindi ko nagawa, para lang may pandagdag?"
Hindi po. Ang pag-claim ng oras na hindi mo talaga ginawa ay fraud — puwede kang matanggal bilang provider, pagbayarin, o makasuhan. Ilagay lang ang totoong oras. Kung kulang ang hours ni Lolo, humingi ng reassessment sa county sa halip na dagdagan ang timesheet.
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