In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)

man and woman torso shot holding cane

IHSS Celebrates 50 Years of Service!!!

Since its inception more than 50 years ago, the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program has been enabling California residents to live independently and safely in their own homes, avoiding institutionalization.

The IHSS program is one of the longest standing state programs, with 670,000 providers serving over 730,000 recipients statewide. Achieving this significant milestone demonstrates the continued commitment and teamwork that was attained over the past five decades. This unwavering commitment continues today.

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) is celebrating over 50 years of IHSS by sharing personal stories from some of the many voices that helped shape the success of the IHSS program.

What is IHSS?

The In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program arranges for and helps pay for services to enable elderly, blind or disabled persons to live safely and independently in their own homes. The Fresno County IHSS program is considered an alternative to out-of-home care, such as nursing homes or board and care facilities. The types of services that can be authorized through IHSS are chores and related services (such as housecleaning, meal preparation, laundry and grocery shopping), and personal care services (such as bowel and bladder care, bathing and paramedical services).

  • Domestic (housekeeping)
  • Related Services (meal preparation, meal clean-up, laundry, shopping for food and errands)
  • Personal Care (assistance with: ambulation, transfers, respiration, bathing/hygiene, dressing, eating, bowel and bladder, medications, repositioning and Paramedical)
  • Accompaniment to medical appointments
  • Protective Supervision for non-self directed individuals with mental and/or cognitive impairments
Apply

Individuals interested in learning more about the IHSS program or would like to refer themselves or make a referral on the behalf of someone.  

  • Complete the online referral for application and an IHSS Social Worker will call within 1-3 business days to complete an application by phone. 

  • Call (559) 600-6666 and chose Option 1 to apply over the phone.

Persons interested in applying to be a Registry Provider should go to the Public Authority Registry Provider web page.

Please be advised that applying for the IHSS program and the determination of eligibility is completely free.  IHSS is an income-based and needs-based program.  Eligibility requirements are determined by Federal and State regulations.  Be cautious of any websites or contacts by phone call or text offering assistance with getting approved for IHSS for a fee.

 

Eligibility

You must be:  Aged (65 or older), Blind or Disabled (must have a disability that will last for more then one year or end in death).

You must physically live in the US, California and Fresno County:   If you are a California resident, but do not live in Fresno County:  Find your County IHSS Office.

You must live at home or in an abode of your own choosing.  Hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities and residential care homes do not meet the IHSS "own home" requirements.  If you are going to be discharged from a medical facility and would like IHSS, let us know when you call to apply.

You must meet low-income financial requirements by either qualifying for Medi-Cal (income based) or receive Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP).

You must have functional limitations that prevent you from caring for yourself.

You must be able to remain safely at home with IHSS provided.

You must provide IHSS with a Health Care Certification form filled out by your physician.

     

Send Forms

There are three ways you can submit forms to IHSS:

 
US Mail

DSS-IHSS

PO Box 1912

Fresno CA 93718-1912

 

By Fax
(559) 600-5400

(health care certifications, paramedical and protective supervision forms)

(559) 600-7762

(change of address/phone, provider terminations)

 

Upload Documents Online

Secure Document Submission 

 

 

 

Reminders

Contacting Your Social Worker

Many of the IHSS Social Workers are now working from home one or more days per week.  When you call your Social Worker, please leave a message and they will call you back within one business day.  If you need to speak with someone sooner, please call (559) 600-6666, and, after making a language selection, press "1" to speak with a Social Worker of the Day.

Let IHSS Know When You...

  • Move to a new residence or others move into or out of your home

  • Change your phone number

  • Become hospitalized or are staying in a medical in facility (skilled nursing, rehabilitation, or board and care)

  • Start attending an Adult Day Program, Adult Day Healthcare Program or enroll in the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)

  • Temporarily or permanently leave Fresno County, California or the United States

  • Are hiring or firing providers 

  • Have a change in condition and require additional hours     

     

Featured Links

 

Contact Us

IHSS Phone:  (559) 600-6666

IHSS Fax:  (559) 600-5400

 

Mailing Address:

DSS-IHSS

PO Box 1912

Fresno, CA 93718-1912

Medi-Cal Matters

If you receive Medi-Cal from the Fresno County Department of Social Services (DSS) and your contact information or household circumstances have changed, it's important to keep Medi-Cal informed. 

 

Loss of Medi-Cal benefits will result in loss of IHSS services.

 

Contact Medi-Cal

Online:

BenefitsCal.com

 

Phone:

1-855-832-8082

(7:30 AM - 4:30 PM)

 

Fax: (for Medi-Cal only)

(559) 600-7706

 

Mail: 

Fresno County DSS

PO Box 1912

Fresno, CA 93718-1912

Be an IHSS Advisory Committee Member

hand on hand rim of wheelchair

 

The IHSS Advisory Committee meets on a monthly basis and is dedicated to enhancing the lives of the blind, disabled, and aging community and those who provide for their care. The IHSS AC is a collaboration of the County of Fresno, community agencies and the public.

 

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