To comply with federal law, the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) will be implementing a change to the IHSS Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) system beginning July 1, 2023. This change only impacts providers who do not live with their recipient(s).
What is Electronic Visit Verification (EVV)?
EVV is a federal law that requires an electronic record of the start time, end time, and location of IHSS services performed.
Who is impacted by the upcoming EVV changes?
Only providers who do not live with their recipient(s) will be impacted and required to adjust to the changes. Live-in IHSS providers are not required to use EVV.
What are the changes that will be implemented regarding EVV?
Beginning July 1, 2023, IHSS providers who do not live with their recipient(s) will be required to use one of three options—the mobile app, Electronic Services Portal (ESP), or telephone timesheet—to:
- Check-in at the beginning of each shift in real-time; and
- Check out at the end of each shift in real-time; and
- Identify their location when checking in or out as either at the recipient’s home or in the community
How and when will my location be tagged?
Your location will not be tracked whilst providing service, only at the moment of your start and end times. Your location will only be tagged when you select “Home.”
For example, if you are beginning care for a recipient at the grocery store, you’ll select “Community” when recording your start time and your location will NOT be tagged. If you then end care at your client’s home, you’ll select “Home” when you check out, and your location WILL be tagged.
While your location will not be tagged when serving in the community, it’s important to note that location tagging is connected to the device you utilize to check in/out, therefore the tagged location will always reflect the location of the device used.
Will I still have to manually enter my hours worked?
Whether you are using the mobile app, ESP, or the telephone timesheet option check in and out, your timesheet will automatically update for the days worked, and at the end of each period, you will verify that the tracked hours are correct and proceed with your usual submission process.
What will happen if I check in/check out at the wrong time or miss it completely?
If you do not capture your real-time check-in or check-out, you will have the option to manually enter the missed information on your electronic timesheet.
Will my recipient still need to approve my timesheet?
Yes. The updated EVV system will not change how your recipient approves your timesheet, how you perform your IHSS duties, or how services are authorized.
Can I opt out of EVV?
No. Providers cannot opt out, though live-in providers are not affected by this change at all.
What should I do now?
If you are not a live-in provider, continue to electronically enter and submit your timesheets as normal until the changes are automatically implemented on July 1, 2023, after which you will be presented with the option to check in/out when you log onto your timesheet or app.
Live-in providers can continue to fill out their timesheets as normal.
Over the next few months, CDSS will send those who are impacted informational updates about the new IHSS EVV mobile app and changes being made to the Electronic Services Portal (ESP) and the Telephone Timesheet System (TTS), and how to use each option.
CDSS will also provide training materials and online webinar trainings for providers about to check in and out and easily fix any errors.
For more information about EVV please visit the CDSS website at: www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/ESPhelp
If you have questions about EVV please submit them to the IHSS EVV Mailbox at EVV@dss.ca.gov.
You can also contact the IHSS Service Desk at 1-866-376-7066.
