Can my child receive IHSS if they don't have a Social Security number?

Immigration status is not supposed to matter for children to be on full-scope Medi-Cal, which includes IHSS. As of January 2026, some changes have been made for adults 19 and over, but they do not apply to children.

Technically, IHSS recipients are recorded as employers for their IHSS providers. According to the California Department of Social Services, "If the applicant or recipient does not have a SSN, they must have or apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). During the process for receiving an ITIN, which can take 60 to 90 days, the county must still process the IHSS application." The county cannot deny application on the basis of lack of SSN or ITIN.