Should I hire an advocate or attorney to help me with an IHSS appeal?

Sometimes it’s helpful to have an advocate help you prepare for and present at the hearing. Professional advocacy organizations usually take a percentage of the retroactive payment, but have a lot of practical experience in responding to the county’s specific objections. Your advocate may be an attorney, but it is not required. Any experienced advocate can assist at hearing.

You can also contact non-profit legal organizations such as Disability Rights California (DRC), the Office of Clients’ Rights Advocacy (a subset of DRC), Disability Rights Legal Center, Public Counsel, or others. Be aware that some non-profit organizations have a need-based income requirement in order to provide direct assistance. If they cannot assist you, they may refer you to a professional advocacy organization. If your child is a Regional Center client, you may wish to begin with the Office of Clients’ Rights Advocacy, as they specifically serve Regional Center consumers.

For more information and links to helpful resources, check out our article How to Appeal If You Are Denied IHSS.