Can an adult child be paid?

Often, after provider enrollment. The recipient is the employer. A spouse or a parent of a minor depends on the IHSS sub-program. Ask the county.

Is IHSS the same as Medicare home health?

No. Medicare home health is skilled and usually time-limited. IHSS is Medi-Cal personal care at home. See the comparison page.

Where is the hourly wage?

CDSS publishes county IHSS wage rates. This glossary does not quote a statewide wage.

GlossaryPrograms

Programs

What is IHSS in California?

Updated September 16, 2026. Reviewed September 16, 2026 against public CDSS, DHCS, Medicare.gov, VA, and CareScout 2025 California tables. County wages, hours, and wait times still change. Official .gov pages decide.

In-Home Supportive Services is California’s Medi-Cal program for authorized personal care and household help in a person’s own home. The county decides hours.

Based on public CDSS, DHCS, Medicare.gov, VA, and California Department of Insurance pages retrieved 2026-09-16. County, Medi-Cal, Medicare, VA, and insurer staff decide what actually pays. Hourly rates, hour totals, waiver slots, and wait times are local and change.

Short answer

In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) is California’s Medi-Cal program that can pay an enrolled provider for authorized personal care and related household tasks so an eligible aged, blind, or disabled person can stay in a home they choose. The county assesses the home and issues a Notice of Action. A hospital or licensed care facility is not that home.

Who decides

County Medi-Cal staff decide coverage. County IHSS staff authorize tasks and hours. CDSS administers the program statewide.

What to do next

Read the longer IHSS guide, confirm Medi-Cal, and submit SOC 295 to the county office listed by CDSS. Ask the county for the local wage. Do not copy a number from this page.

What the county authorizes

State law lists categories such as personal care, domestic and related tasks, accompaniment, protective supervision, and paramedical services when ordered. The Notice of Action is the list that counts for one person. Coverage is education, not a second authorization.

How to start

Confirm Medi-Cal, submit SOC 295, return SOC 873 or the alternative the county names, and prepare for the home visit. Ask for help if you want a coordinator to line up the packet. The county still decides.

Questions people ask

Can an adult child be paid?: Often, after provider enrollment. The recipient is the employer. A spouse or a parent of a minor depends on the IHSS sub-program. Ask the county.
Is IHSS the same as Medicare home health?: No. Medicare home health is skilled and usually time-limited. IHSS is Medi-Cal personal care at home. See the comparison page.
Where is the hourly wage?: CDSS publishes county IHSS wage rates. This glossary does not quote a statewide wage.

Official sources for this page

Official program pages: CDSS: In-Home Supportive Services, CDSS: IHSS for children, County IHSS offices, CDSS: IHSS providers, CDSS: county IHSS wage rates, CDSS: provider orientation, CDSS: Electronic Visit Verification, CDSS: Electronic Services Portal, DHCS: Medi-Cal, Apply for Medi-Cal, BenefitsCal, CDSS: hearing requests, CDSS: forms catalog, CDSS: IHSS overtime and workweek, DDS: regional centers.