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New State requirements for

IHSS homecare workers and consumers!

 

Information Last updated: March 10, 2010

 

Efective Nov. 1, 2009, new requirements to the IHSS program take effect. Both IHSS recipients and providers will be impacted by the statewide program changes.

Please note that the new requirements listed below are subject to change. We will do its best to keep you up-to-date on any new requirements as the State and County make them available.

Enrolling a NEW IHSS Provider – what do you need to do?

As of November 1, 2009, consumers hiring a provider who does not currently work for another IHSS consumer should:

·        Request an enrollment packet as before – by calling IHSS at
(510) 577-1800 or coming to the IHSS offices.

·        Return the forms to IHSS

·        Attend a mandetory Orientation session at the IHSS Enrollment Center where they will complete a background check and view a video. See section below "Where and when can I find the IHSS Orientation?"

·        Newly enrolled workers can not be paid until they complete all forms, the mandetory Orientation, and pass criminal background check.*

     

 

IHSS Providers Enrolled before November 1, 2009

All Providers enrolled and eligible to be working as of October 31, 2009:

 

·        Must complete the provider Orientation session before June 30, 2010.

·        Will receive an invitation from the county sometime before June 30, 2010 with the date, time and location that the provider is scheduled to attend the new mandatory orientation.

·    If you miss your date and time for the orienation, you may drop in at the Enrollment Center - see information in the next section "Where and when can I find the IHSS Orientation?"

·        At the orientation the provider will view a video, pay for and provide fingerprints for a criminal background check* and fill out new state provider enrollment forms.

·        If an already enrolled provider gets a new IHSS job, they will need to complete a new enrollment  packet.

 

Where and when can I find the IHSS Orientation?

·        The IHSS Provider Enrollment Center is currently located at 393 13th Street (at Jackson) in Downtown Oakland.

 

·        The Enrollment Center is open Monday through Thursday (Closed weekends, Fridays and holidays).

 

·        The center is open from 9:30 - 11:00 am and from 1:30 - 3:00 pm

 

What do Providers take to the Orientation?

·        Chore providers must bring their original  identification documents (valid California ID, Green Card or Passport and Social Secruity Card). If your social security card is not to be used for work authorization, bring a copy of your work permit (residency card or other documentation). No photocopies; names on documents must match exactly.

·        The cost for fingerprinting is $52, paid by the chore provider by cash, money order, ATM or credit card. No Checks accepted. 

·        Enrollment forms are provided to those that need them at the enrollment center.

·        Individuals that can not complete all of the steps in a single visit may go back to the enrollment center to complete them at a time that is convenient for them (during hours of operation).

·        On an average day, the attendees are able to complete the process in about an hour.

 

What about Consumer Fingerprints?

In the future, the State will implement a requirement that to receive IHSS services, Consumers must get fingerprinted.

·        Consumers will be fingerprinted for identification purposes only.

·        Consumers should wait for instructions from the county on how to get fingerprinted.

 

What about Unannounced Home Visits?

The visits will be made by IHSS staff to help prevent fraud.  The visit will verify that the consumer lives at the address listed, and that from the appearance of the home and the consumer – there is a homecare worker providing services.

 

·        The chore provider does not have to be present.  The consumer still has the right to schedule the provider’s work hours.

 

·        The consumer should continue to go to appointments and other outings as usual.

 

 

What about Cuts to Provider Wages and Consumers’ IHSS Hours?

The State’s proposed cuts to providers wages and consumers’ hours based on Functional Index Scores (FI Scores) have temporarily been stopped by a lawsuit. The state will send a letter if and when any cuts take place.

 

*New State rules say that if a provider clears the criminal background check (no convictions or incarcerations within the last ten years for child abuse, elder abuse or fraud), they can be paid retro-actively to the date of hire. However, if a provider starts working and does not clear the criminal background check, the Consumer will be responsible for paying the worker for the IHSS hours worked.