Need help filling out your timesheet or setting up direct deposit for your paycheck? Are you a new caregiver, and need help understanding the IHSS program requirements for providers?
You’re in the right place. Below you will find answers to these questions and more—as always, we’re here to help you!
Apply for Direct Deposit
- Form to apply for, change, or cancel direct deposit
- CDSS official webpage for IHSS direct deposit (has instructions for IHSS direct deposit in multiple languages)
- Provider Direct Deposit Help Desk: 1-866-376-7066
Most people think of direct deposit as an everyday convenience when working; however, for IHSS providers it is a hard-won benefit. Our union worked for over five years to pass state legislation and secure direct deposit for IHSS paychecks. In 2008, direct deposit became a reality for all eligible homecare providers.
Provider Direct Deposit (PDD) is an optional way for providers to receive their paychecks. Direct deposit eliminates stolen and lost checks, and the funds are deposited to a bank account faster than receiving a check by mail. Providers who wish to continue to receive pay checks by mail are not required to participate in the program.
Although UDW sponsored the legislation that made direct deposit possible, we do not administer the program. Administration is done by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS). Public Authorities and/or counties are not involved in direct deposit and providers should not call these offices for assistance. If you need help, contact the PDD help desk at 1-866-376-7066 (and have your pay stub available when you make the call).
All IHSS providers are eligible for direct deposit if they:
- Have a savings or checking account in a financial institution such as a bank, savings and loan, credit union or any other financial institution which is able to accept electronic funds transfer (EFT).
- Receive paper checks at least twice a month.
- Are not planning to send 100% of funds deposited to your bank to another bank outside the US.
Providers who are not eligible for direct deposit:
- Clients who have the “Advance Pay” status as their client pays them directly.
Once a provider has reached the 90-day program participation requirement, an outreach letter and Direct Deposit Enrollment/Change/Cancellation (SOC 829) form will be sent to his or her home address. Instructions for filling out the form are also included with these documents.
A provider who works for multiple clients will receive an outreach letter and form for each client. For example, a provider with four clients will receive four forms. Providers must submit a separate form for each client. The paychecks for each of these four clients can go into one bank account or multiple accounts. If a provider takes on a new client after having worked for his/her original client over 90 days, the provider will have to work 90 days for this new client to be eligible for direct deposit.
Direct deposit processing can take up to 60 days. If there are any problems in the processing, providers will be notified and instructed what to correct or to re-enroll. During this processing period, providers will continue to receive paper checks.
If a provider closes his or her account or changes banks they need to notify the PDD help desk immediately. Providers will need to fill out a new Direct Deposit Enrollment/Change/Cancellation form (SOC 829). Do not close your old account until you have received your first paycheck deposit in your new account.
Although providers on direct deposit no longer receive their paychecks through the mail, it is very important that a change of address is reported to the county immediately to continue receiving timesheets and remittance advice on deposited paychecks and earning statements.
More information about IHSS direct deposit can be found here, or you can contact the PDD help desk toll-free at 1-866-376-7066.
Timesheets
For updated information about new IHSS program rules and timesheets, click here. Still need help? Call us at 1-800-621-5016.
Paycheck Deductions
IHSS paychecks are itemized, showing your gross and net pay, as well as the deductions the IHSS payroll computer has taken out of your check.
Our union worked with state legislators for several years to win the right for providers to have an itemized paycheck. Prior to UDW’s victory, IHSS providers could not see or verify that deductions were made correctly.
If you have questions about paycheck deductions, you can contact your local IHSS Public Authority. For questions about union dues, contact our Member Resource Center at 1-800-621-5016.
Requirements to Become an IHSS Provider
Employment as an IHSS Provider
Individuals who pass the requirements below may become an IHSS provider and be hired by any IHSS client (recipient) who is enrolled in the program and has available authorized work hours. Here is the form for an IHSS client to designate a new IHSS provider.
If you are seeking employment as a home care provider but do not know a client that needs help, you can still apply and be placed on an IHSS registry in your county. The IHSS Public Authority in each county maintains a registry to match IHSS providers and clients.
Enrollment Requirements
The following four requirements apply to all providers, regardless of whether or not your IHSS client is a family member.
1) Complete the Provider Enrollment Form
- To work as an IHSS provider, you must fill out and turn in an enrollment form (SOC 426). The form needs to be brought in person to the location designated by your county IHSS Office or IHSS Public Authority. These offices can also supply you with the form.
- When returning the signed enrollment form, you will also need to present original documentation verifying your identity, such as an unexpired Driver’s License or Identification Card, AND an original Social Security card. The name on the Social Security card needs to be exactly the same as on the ID document. If the photo ID has a different maiden name or no middle name, etc. then this needs to be corrected by the issuer of the document before the process can be completed.
- If you are a permanent legal resident rather than a citizen, you must additionally show proof of legal residency with your Social Security card.
- Do not return the form to the state Department of Social Services because this will cause a delay in the processing.
2) Complete a Background Check and Fingerprinting
- Follow the instructions provided by the local county IHSS Office or IHSS Public Authority for getting fingerprinted and completing the background check. Do not try to get fingerprinted until you have received these instructions.
- You must pay for the fingerprinting and criminal background check – costs vary from $40 – $90.
- It can take several days (occasionally longer) from the time fingerprints are submitted before the county IHSS Office or IHSS Public Authority gets the results of the criminal background check from DOJ.
- If the results of the criminal background check show that you have been convicted of specific crimes, you may not be eligible to work as an IHSS provider.
3) Go to an IHSS Provider Orientation
- New IHSS providers may either attend an in-person orientation at the county IHSS Office or IHSS Public Authority OR you can choose to receive the orientation materials from the county and review the materials at home. Remember if you go to an in-person orientation, they will have the forms you need and your questions can also be answered.
- New providers may view the Provider Orientation Video here. Remember the video is only part of the package of materials that must be reviewed to complete the orientation.
4) Sign and turn in the IHSS Provider Enrollment Agreement
- By signing the provider enrollment agreement (SOC846), you are stating that you understand and agree to the rules and requirements for being an IHSS provider.
Scope and Limitations of these Requirements
Once you have completed the above four steps and have been enrolled as an IHSS provider, you will continue to be eligible to get paid for providing authorized services to any IHSS client (recipient) as long as you are an active provider and the criminal background check remains clear of all disqualifying crimes.
If you work in more than one county, you do not need to complete a second background check for that county.
If you have no payroll activity for one year, your eligibility is automatically terminated. If this happens and you want to re-enroll, you will have to apply again and complete all provider enrollment requirements (including the cost of fingerprinting and criminal background check).
If you have any questions about these requirements, contact your county IHSS office or IHSS Public Authority. You may also contact our Member Benefits Center at 1-800-621-5016.
If Your Paycheck or Timesheet is Late
IHSS Help Desk
You should receive your paycheck within 10 business days of mailing your timesheet. If you do not receive your next timesheet with your paycheck, it should arrive within three business days from receipt of your paycheck.
If either of these items are late, you can reach out to the IHSS Help Desk in your county. Full list is here.
Alpine: 530-694-2235
Butte: 530-538-7538, menu option 1
El Dorado: 530-621-6287 or 530-621-6275
Imperial: 760-337-3084
Kern: 661-868-1004
Madera: 559-662-8300
Mariposa: 209-966-2000 – ask for the IHSS unit
Merced: If your last name starts with
- A, B, C: 209-722-1738 x3124;
- D, E, F, G, H, I: 209-722-1738 x3123;
- K, L, M, N: 209-722-1738 x3110;
- J, O, P, Q, R, Y, Z: 209-722-1738 x3114;
- S-X: 209-722-1738 x3122
Mono: 760-760-1770
Nevada: 211
Orange: 714-825-3195 or 714-825-3000
Placer: 916-872-6555
Plumas: 530-283-6481
Riverside: 1-800-575-2588
San Diego: 1-866-351-7722
San Luis Obispo: North County 805-461-6110; South County 805-474-2103
Santa Barbara: 1-866-313-1353
Sierra: 530-274-5603
Stanislaus 209-558-2637
Sutter: 530-822-7619
Tuolumne: N/A
