California Home Help

Free paperwork kit

IHSS starter checklist for adult children

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.

Share your name and email if you want this printable starter kit sent with a coordinator follow-up. The list below is the same public checklist. We do not hide official CDSS links behind the form. Asking for help is optional.

Email the starter kit follow-up

Share your name and email if you want this printable starter kit sent with a coordinator follow-up. The list below is the same public checklist. We do not hide official CDSS links behind the form. Asking for help is optional.

For example: starting an IHSS application, provider enrollment, or county forms. Keep medical records and diagnoses for the county packet.

Printable starter checklist

The checklist is on this page either way. If you want a coordinator to walk through it with you, send the form. Source tag for this page is an educational magnet, not an ad.

  • Confirm the parent lives in California in their own home, or will return to that home.
  • Start or check Medi-Cal on BenefitsCal or with the county. IHSS sits on a Medi-Cal determination.
  • Download SOC 295 from the CDSS forms catalog and send it to the IHSS office for the home county.
  • Ask a licensed health professional about SOC 873, or the alternative documentation the county names.
  • Write a typical day: bathing, dressing, meals, toilet, transfers, and time alone if memory is an issue.
  • Ask the county how to be listed so staff can speak with an adult child.
  • If you will be the provider, ask about orientation, SOC 426, SOC 846, and background check steps.
  • Do not guess hours or the hourly wage. The Notice of Action and the CDSS county wage-rate page are the numbers that count.

Official California sources

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.