3 Expert Tips for Applying for In-Home Supportive Services

Published: May. 24, 2022Updated: Aug. 12, 2024

Your child needs in-home support, but how do you know whether your child qualifies for public assistance, and what should you do if your application gets denied? We met with our Public Benefits Specialist, Lisa Concoff Kronbeck, to learn more about Medi-Cal’s In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program for kids ages 0-18. Here are the top takeaways from our live event to help you prepare your application like a champ!

Don’t let a phone call discourage you from applying

One of the most important pieces of advice is not to accept a “denial by phone,” because there is no such thing! If an IHSS representative tells you over the phone to try applying later or says that your child is probably ineligible, apply anyway so that you have a paper trail of the date of your initial application. Listen to Lisa’s explanation in this clip about why:

It is very common to be denied the first time around, but many families succeed after appealing by requesting a state hearing.

Prepare for the in-home visit

A worker from IHSS will come to your home for an in-person evaluation. Here’s Lisa’s advice for preparing for this visit:

As Lisa says, your child must be at this meeting so that the IHSS worker will get the best possible chance to assess their needs. During our live event, parent Shari A. said in the chat, “Make sure you are being super attentive to your child during the meeting, no devices or help on that day. Best to make sure they are not on their best behavior 😉.” Iris B. said, “Omg so true!!”

Be honest and accurate when describing your child’s needs

Any paramedical or protective supervision services will be awarded based on your child’s specific needs, not their diagnosis. This means that the IHSS worker needs an honest and accurate description of where your child struggles. It can be really difficult to focus on your child’s weaknesses instead of strengths, as Lisa explains in the clip below, but she offers advice for parents heading into the IHSS application:

We’re grateful to Lisa for sharing her expert tips and to all the parents who participated in our live discussion about IHSS. Angelica G. commented in the chat, “I always have this feeling that I’m taking advantage of something I don’t need because it is my son and I am his mother.”

Iris B. responded, “Angelica, thank you so much for sharing this because I know so many of us can relate!”

Watch the full recording

If you missed the event or want to review what we learned, you can watch the full recording here. Make sure to attend our next live event to ask your questions in the chat and hear from our experts and fellow parents! Keep an eye on our Facebook page to learn more about upcoming events.

Contents

Overview

Don’t let a phone call discourage you from applying

Prepare for the in-home visit

Be honest and accurate when describing your child’s needs

Watch the full recording

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In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS): The Essentials of Eligibility

What to Expect from the IHSS Home Visit

How to Appeal If You Are Denied IHSS

Author

Brittany OlsenUndivided Editor

An editor and cartoonist who loves using words and images to simplify and share ideas. She has ten years of experience as a copy editor and lives near Portland, Oregon. She often spends her free time going on nature walks with her dog or trying new bread recipes. #### Reviewed by Lindsay Crain, Undivided Head of Content and Community #### Contributors Lisa Concoff Kronbeck, Undivided Public Benefits Specialist Lisa Concoff Kronbeck, Undivided Public Benfits Specialist

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