Can we apply while Medi-Cal is pending?

Some counties receive SOC 295 with Medi-Cal pending. IHSS still finishes after the Medi-Cal determination. Start both paths.

Do we guess hours on the form?

No. Describe a typical day. The worker authorizes hours.

Is there a Spanish version?

CDSS publishes translations. Ask the office which packet it accepts. BenefitsCal also has Spanish.

GlossaryIHSS paperwork

IHSS paperwork

What is SOC 295?

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.

SOC 295 is the CDSS application that starts an IHSS file at the county office. Download it from the CDSS catalog. The county says when the packet is complete.

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

SOC 295 is the statewide In-Home Supportive Services application. Families submit it to the county IHSS office where the person lives. It is not the Health Care Certification (SOC 873) and it is not provider enrollment. Download the PDF from the CDSS forms catalog, not from a random blog.

Who decides

CDSS publishes the form. The county says when the file is complete and who is eligible. Medi-Cal still has to be determined.

What to do next

Download SOC 295 from CDSS, use the document checklist, and deliver it to the county office on the CDSS list. Ask for help if you want a coordinator to line up copies.

What usually travels with it

SOC 873 or the alternative the county names
Medi-Cal or BenefitsCal information
Identification and the home address
A typical-day list in writing
Names of people the county may call

Questions people ask

Can we apply while Medi-Cal is pending?: Some counties receive SOC 295 with Medi-Cal pending. IHSS still finishes after the Medi-Cal determination. Start both paths.
Do we guess hours on the form?: No. Describe a typical day. The worker authorizes hours.
Is there a Spanish version?: CDSS publishes translations. Ask the office which packet it accepts. BenefitsCal also has Spanish.

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.