• County Cost Shift (Potential Hour Reductions): The 2026–27 budget proposes shifting costs for increased IHSS hours from the state to individual counties. This creates a financial incentive for counties like Los Angeles to scrutinize and potentially reduce the number of hours authorized during assessments to save local funds.
• Backup Provider System Elimination: The proposed budget aims to eliminate the IHSS Backup Provider System beginning in 2026–27, which could severely affect recipients who lose their primary caregiver temporarily.
• Medi-Cal Linkage: IHSS benefits will be immediately terminated if a recipient’s Medi-Cal is discontinued, removing the previous grace period that allowed for temporary coverage.
• Overtime and Travel Cap Proposals: While previous proposals to cap provider overtime at 50 hours per week were not fully adopted in 2025, budget discussions continue to focus on capping provider hours to address deficits. [1, 3, 4, 5]

• Phone: 1-888-822-9622
• Website: dpss.lacounty.gov

Child & Sibling Pages

Site Map 

• How to qualify for Medi Cal Nursing Home Benefits
• Medi Cal can pay for home caregiver IHSS
• Medi Cal pay for home and nursing care?

FAQ’s

Can IHSS Providers – Care Workers – Get Medi Cal regardless of their income?

Here’s what the PASC-SEIU Homecare Workers  website says –

As long as you are authorized  work 74 hours or more per month for two consecutive months.  You will continue to be eligible as long as you continue to be authorized to work at least 74 hours per month. View actual wording

On the other hand:

IHSS workers would be presumptively eligible, for 6 months  – you can get temporary coverage until official eligibility is determined ^{Law Insider} *  for full [Medi Cal] benefits and there would be no means test – they won’t look at your income, resources – assets or your ability to pay for health insurance. Sooner or later though, A Medi Cal application would eventually have to be completed.    ^Investopedia *  ^Dhcs *  ^{Report to CA Health Care Foundation by USC  June 2000}    

On the other hand:

Here’s an optometrist making $200k that was the IHSS caretaker for his mother.  He states:

i was never asked about income if i remember correctly ^{email dated 5.9.2022}

On the other hand:

I don’t do phone calls – especially when I don’t get compensated to help people with IHSS – here’s a number to call

Providers who are eligible for the plan will automatically be sent an enrollment packet that describes what the PASC- SEIU Homecare Workers Health Care Plan provides. If you are eligible for the health plan, you may contact the PASC Health Plan Call Center at 1-855-PASC-PLN, (1-855-727-2756), to request an enrollment form.

If you are already enrolled in L.A. Care plan and have additional questions about specific benefits provided by the Plan, please call L.A. Care at 1-844-854-7272, or go to their website at www.lacare.org/members/ihss.

• Visit our historical webpage on IHSS
  • FAQ’s

What is the

CA Assisted Living Waiver?

• Eligibility: Must be full-scope Medi-Cal eligible with zero share of cost, require a nursing facility level of care, and be able to pay for room and board.
• Coverage & Availability: The program is authorized in 15 California counties (including Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco) through February 28, 2029.
• Services Provided: Includes care coordination, personalized care plans, 24-hour care, and routine, scheduled nursing visits.
• Goal: To provide a less restrictive, home-like environment, avoiding unnecessary institutionalization.
• Waitlist/Limitations: It is not an entitlement program, and spots are limited, often leading to waitlists. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Participants in the ALW have access to the following services:

• Assisted Living Services: The following is a list of some of the services that must be provided to ALW participants.  These services may be provided in an RCFE, or by a licensed Home Health Agency to residents in public housing.
  • Assisting in developing and updating an individualized care plan for each resident
  • Personal care and assistance with activities of daily living
  • Laundry
  • Housekeeping
  • Maintenance of the facility
  • Providing intermittent skilled nursing care
  • Meals and snacks
  • Providing assistance with self-administration of medications
  • Providing or coordinating transportation
  • Providing recreational activities
  • Providing social services

• Care Coordination: These services include identifying, organizing, coordinating and monitoring services needed by participants .
• Nursing Facility Transition Care Coordination: These services help transition participants from a nursing home to the community.  ^{CA Assisted Living Waiver}

Resources & Links

• DHCS.CA.Gov – CA Department of Health Care Services
• Assisted Living Waiver
• Elder Options – Private Website – DHCS subcontractor that can help people in Sacramento Area
• Nolo Press

FAQs / Ask Us a Question

Question

My 92 year old mother is on Medi-cal and Scan, but needs to go into assisted living with waiver application.  They won’t accept Scan.  They said she has to drop it.  Does she automatically go on Medi–Medi and will her new doctor take it? The application takes 3-6 months for approval but I have to drop her from Scan insurance before I fax over the waiver form…

Answer

***I don’t have enough background to answer your question.   I did learn though, my first day at my Father’s & Grand Fathers Insurance Agency, to NEVER cancel coverage till new coverage was confirmed!

Learn more  chcf.org what-is-assisted-living/