The IP is not required to work on holidays but can if they choose to do so. If they do work, the hourly rate is the same. There is no time and a half pay. If the IP chooses not to work, they will not be paid for those hours. They can make-up the time if you both agree.
Speak to your IP about your concerns in a respectful manner. Remember, the IHSS consumer is in charge of supervising the work. If things do not improve, call the COA Public Authority Services Registry at (408) 350-3251 and ask for assistance. If the IP is on the Registry, the staff will log the complaint and recommend solutions.
No! It is a practice that is strongly discouraged unless the IP is trained by a licensed professional. The IPs should not be administering any medication because of liability issues.
No. Monthly authorized hours cannot be carried over into the following month. Make sure the time sheet is completed with the total number of hours worked.
The IHSS consumer should never sign an incomplete or incorrect time sheet. To avoid any problems at the end of the pay period, the consumer should keep a record of the times the IP works. Call the Registry for a copy of a time log.
IHSS consumers with 50 hours or more per month of IHSS authorized time can call the Urgent Care Registry (UCR) at (408) 590-0834 to request assistance with personal care needs. The UCR is accessible 7 days a week from 6am-10pm. The UCR will not provide services to cover times the IP is on vacation. If the IP is planning a vacation, call the COA Public Authority Services Registry and ask for help locating a short term replacement.
The UCR is there to provide assistance primarily for an IHSS consumer’s personal care needs. General house cleaning will not be authorized in most circumstances.
All IHSS providers working in Santa Clara County (no matter how many hours) are eligible for a FREE bus pass. It is called an EcoPass. The EcoPass is good for free transportation on all Santa Clara County VTA buses, express buses, and the light rail. Call (408) 350-3290 for more information.
For all questions about time sheets, paychecks, or enrolling as a provider or consumer of In Home Supportive Services (IHSS) please call (408) 975-4899. COA Public Authority Services does not handle these items. It is very important to be paid on time every month to keep your IHSS medical insurance benefits safe please call IHSS at (408) 975-4899 if your pay is late.
IHSS providers working in Santa Clara County and paid on time for at least 35 hours each month can apply for Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance benefits. To get these benefits you must submit an application form. Call (408) 350-3290 to request the application form.
No. To get medical benefits you must submit an application. Generally benefits will start the 1st day of the fourth month after you start working if you are paid on time for at least 35 hours each month.
Usually deductions are taken from your paycheck – but not always. If a deduction was missed we are required to send you a bill and collect the $11 missing deduction. It is very important to pay that bill or your insurance will be canceled. The missing deductions can not be taken from your next paycheck – your insurance is only safe if you pay the bills we send you.
You keep your insurance only if you are paid on time for at least 35 hours each month and you pay any bills we send to you. It is not enough to be working, or to have authorized hours, or to send in the time sheet - you must get paid on time each month. If your paychecks are late, your insurance is at risk. We allow a grace period and will try to warn you with a letter when we notice your pay is behind, but don’t wait for our letters. If your paychecks are more than 2 weeks late call IHSS at (408) 975-4899 to find out why they are late and to correct the problem.
If you stop working or your paid hours drops below 35/month for any reason you will not lose insurance right away. It will continue for at least one month and the COA Public Authority Services will notify you by letter explaining when the insurance will stop. Call the COA Public Authority Services Benefits Department at (408) 350-3290 for questions or more detailed information.
For more information please contact Council on Aging Silicon Valley at (408) 296-8290.
If you are calling from outside of Santa Clara County, please call 1 (800) 510-2020 to connect with the Area Agency on Aging in your own county.
