How To Get More Ihss Hours

more IHSS hours

Few things can make such a big difference in the lives of a family as the ability to give your child with special needs the full care he or she deserves, without endangering your family finances. In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) can provide important funding for families of children with developmental disabilities. But what if you were approved for IHSS, but given the minimal amount of benefits? Can you get more IHSS hours?

What is IHSS Protective Supervision?

IHSS stands for In-Home Supportive Services. IHSS provides financial assistance to adults caring for children with developmental disabilities so they can remain at home safely.

For parents of children with special needs, Protective Supervision, part of the IHSS program, can provide payments every month so you can stay home and properly care for your child. However, the application process is lengthy, and can be frustrating and confusing. For those who are trying to receive benefits for IHSS, a denial, or a low amount of IHSS hours, can be stressful.

How to File an Appeal for More IHSS Hours

If you've applied for In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) and have been given a low amount of IHSS hours for Protective Supervision, there is hope. You can appeal the decision.

If you have received a Notice of Action that hours are being cut or terminated, you must request a hearing within 10 business days to keep your benefits during the appeal process. If you miss the deadline, you still have 90 days to file an appeal but will lose your benefits during the process. Here's how you can appeal for more hours:

Request an appeal.Fill out the back of the Notice of Action form or send a letter to:
IHSS Fair Hearing
State Hearings Division
Department of Social Services
744 P Street, Mail Stop 9-17-37
Sacramento, CA 95814
Be sure to say that you want a fair hearing because you believe you have not been given enough hours, and give your child's name and state identification number. You can also call 1-800-743-8525 to request a hearing.
Get everything in writing. You'll need written documentation from your child's doctor stating their needs and the type of care they require. If your child needs protective supervision or paramedical services, make sure that is in the documentation.
Prepare for your hearing date.If your appeal requires a hearing, prepare the points you plan to make ahead of time, and make sure all of your documents are in order. Ask for a copy of the original assessment and the county's position statement.
Attend the hearing. At the hearing, the county will go first to sayyou're your IHSS hours were cut or why you shouldn't receive more hours. They will give lots of evidence. The most important thing for you to do is stick to your explanations of why you needs more hours. Be prepared to show all the documents you prepared.
Get a decision.Any change in IHSS hours from the appeals process will be effective as soon as the county gets the decision from the appeal.

If you feel overwhelmed and you need help, please contact us.

American Disability Association is dedicated to the wellbeing and protection of children with disabilities and actively provides support to enhance their quality of life. Whether you are dealing with federal or state benefits or struggling with a school district to get proper education for your child, we have the resources to help you. Many individuals and families managing a disability are not aware of the wide array of services available to them, or they do not know how to apply for these benefits in a way that is likely to succeed.