PART THREE:
In-Home Supportive Services In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) provides assistance for elders and people with disabilities who need help in their home. If you face discrimination or mistreatment from the IHSS system or your caregiver, you should contact a Legal Aid provider, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, or Planning for Elders.
What Is IHSS? IHSS is a statewide program for low-income residents, and it provides assistance so that you can remain safely in your own home. Under IHSS, eligibility is based on whether you are eligible for Supplemental Security Income. The types of services that can be authorized through IHSS are housecleaning, meal preparation, laundry, grocery shopping, personal care services (such as bowel and bladder care, bathing, grooming, and paramedical services), accompaniment to medical appointments, and protective supervision for people with mental disabilities. IHSS recipients are called “consumers” and people providing the services are referred to as “providers.”
How Does the Program Work? How to Apply To apply for IHSS, complete an application and submit it to the local IHSS office at the county welfare department. To find your local office, look for the closest county welfare department office listed under the County Government Section in the telephone book.
Navigating the System: A Know-Your-Rights Guide for LGBT Elders in California
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