New IHSS Eligibility Certification Requirement Begins August 1st

Effective August 1st, all new IHSS consumer applicants are required to obtain a licensed healthcare professional's written certification that he or she needs assistance with some activities of daily living to remain safely at home, before services will be approved. In addition, current IHSS consumers must obtain the same written certification within 45 days of their next annual reassessment to maintain their eligibility for IHSS.

A licensed healthcare professional could be your physician, physician's assistant, regional center clinician or clinician supervisor, occupational therapist, physical therapist, psychiatrist, psychologist, optometrist, ophthalmologist or a public health nurse. The written certification should be submitted to the county by using the IHSS Medical Certification Form (SOC 873), which should be given to you by your social worker. It can also be downloaded here.

The County will also accept alternative documentation, such as a doctor's note, as long as it is submitted no more than 60 days before the assessment. The documentation should include a statement that you are unable to independently perform one or more activities of daily living, a description of your condition or functional limitations, and your healthcare professional's signature.

In cases where the consumer applicant is being discharged from a hospital or nursing home, services may be approved prior to receipt of the certification. If you are a current consumer, you may request an additional 45 days to submit the certification documents if you have good cause (e.g., you have been hospitalized) and you notify the county within 35 days of your assessment. Any applicant or current consumer who is not able to obtain the certification will be considered ineligible for the IHSS Program.

Back

Phone 818-206-7000 | Toll Free 877-565-4477 | Fax 818-206-8000 TTY | 818-206-7015

User Policy | Privacy Statement