For a person to qualify for IHSS, they must adhere to Medicaid requirements relating to age, disability, or health care needs. The Colorado Department of Healthcare Policy & Financing offers in-home support services (IHSS) to help eligible individuals live safely and independently in their own homes. As a statewide Medicaid benefit, the program seeks to improve applicants' quality of life. It provides services to older adults over 65 and individuals who are blind or with a disability.
The IHSS program helps avoid the need for assisted living communities or nursing homes. Whether you live in an apartment or a relative's house, you can receive in-home care as long as you qualify. If a loved one is in a community care facility or acute care hospital, they may still be eligible to apply for the IHSS program, allowing them to live in their own home upon discharge.
Applicants must be enrolled in Medicaid to qualify for the IHSS program. If you don't have Medicaid yet, request an application. Depending on your income, you may have a shared monthly cost or free Medicaid. If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you're likely eligible for IHSS services, as SSI recipients automatically qualify for Medicaid.
You may qualify if you meet the basic eligibility requirements, which include:
The IHSS program provides:
The program doesn't pay for:
Visit the in-home supportive services program or your local Case Management Agency in your area to get the IHSS application process started. A case manager will contact you and schedule a home or telehealth visit for the needs assessment.
A Nurse Assessor will interview you to assess your eligibility for the program. They will perform a needs assessment by asking about your loved ones physical or mental limitations. They will identify the tasks they can do independently and those they need help with. They may also gather information from your healthcare professional to determine if you need the IHSS program. During the visit, the Nurse Assessor will determine the types of services you need and the hours for each service.
Needs assessments occur every year to ensure your needs are met. The total number of hours may also change depending on the evaluation. If your needs change, you can request a reassessment.
You'll receive a notification about the status of your IHSS application. If approved, you'll get the Notice of Action (NOA) from your county, along with the services you need and the total number of hours each month (up to 195 hours). If your application is denied, you'll receive information detailing why it was denied.
After the application is approved, you can hire a caregiver for a loved one or become the caregiver yourself by working with an agency such as Abby Care.
Indiana's Community and Home Options to Institutional Care for the Elderly and the Disabled (CHOICE) Program is a statewide program similar to IHSS. Older adults aged 60 and older and individuals with disabilities (including children) can be eligible for this program. If you live in Pennsylvania, apply for the Caregiver Support program at your local area agency on aging and receive services similar to the IHSS program.
Children with special needs can qualify for in-home support services. To meet the eligibility requirements, your child must have needs greater than those of a developing child of the same age. For example, a five-year-old child may qualify for toileting hours if they require assistance. No minimum age is required, but the child must enroll in Medicaid and be a Colorado resident.
The process is the same: The child (or the parent) must also start an application via the Case Management Agency, and a Nurse Assessor will conduct a needs assessment. The County uses a tool to determine the number of hours based on the child's need for assistance or level of care. You can also check with your local office for specific requirements in your state.
The IHSS program can help older adults and other eligible individuals safely live in their homes. By understanding the application process, including the eligibility requirements, seniors and children with unique needs can receive health maintenance services and seniors can also receive personal care services or homemaker assistance.
If you want to become a caregiver for a family member, contact Abby Care today. Our team can train you to become a caregiver for a loved one, and we help you get paid by Medicaid by taking care of a child with unique needs.
https://www.cdss.ca.gov/agedblinddisabled/res/factsheets/ihss_program_overview_color.pdf
https://www.cdss.ca.gov/in-home-supportive-services
https://dpss.lacounty.gov/en/senior-and-disabled/ihss/recipients.html
https://hss.sbcounty.gov/daas/IHSS/Who_is_eligible.aspx
https://ca.db101.org/ca/programs/health_coverage/medi_cal/ihss/program2.htm
https://canhr.org/in-home-supportive-services-ihss/
https://homecareproviders.com/blog/ihss-eligibility-requirements-a-complete-guide/
https://www.placer.ca.gov/Faq.aspx?QID=781
https://dpss.lacounty.gov/en/senior-and-disabled/ihss.html
https://undivided.io/resources/in-home-supportive-services-ihss-the-essentials-of-eligibility-247
