How Can Family Members Become Paid IHSS Caregivers for Their Senior Relatives?
Many family members provide care for their elderly relatives out of love and duty, often sacrificing their own careers and financial stability to do so. California’s In-Home Supportive Services program offers a valuable opportunity for family caregivers to receive payment for the care they already provide. Understanding how to become an IHSS provider can help families maintain financial stability while continuing to care for loved ones.
The Family Caregiver Option
One of the most beneficial aspects of the IHSS program is that it allows recipients to choose their own care providers, including family members. This means that adult children, spouses, siblings, and other relatives can be hired and paid to provide authorized IHSS services. Even parents can sometimes provide paid care for adult disabled children who receive IHSS.
Paying family caregivers acknowledges the real work and sacrifice involved in caregiving. It also often results in better care for the senior, who receives assistance from someone who knows them well and is genuinely invested in their wellbeing.
Requirements to Become an IHSS Provider
To become an IHSS provider, family members must meet certain requirements. They must be at least 18 years old and legally authorized to work in the United States. A background check through the California Department of Justice is required, though certain criminal convictions may not automatically disqualify someone from becoming a provider.
Providers must complete enrollment paperwork and provide documentation including identification, Social Security card, and proof of authorization to work. They must also complete provider orientation and any required training. Once enrolled, providers submit timesheets documenting the hours they work and receive payment through the state payroll system.
How Payment Works
IHSS providers are paid an hourly wage that varies by county. Los Angeles County’s wage rate is set by the county and may include health benefits for providers who work a minimum number of hours. Providers are paid twice monthly based on timesheets that must be signed by both the provider and the recipient.
It is important to understand that providers can only be paid for authorized services up to the number of hours approved for the recipient. If a family member provides care beyond the authorized hours, those additional hours are not compensated through IHSS. Accurate timesheet completion is essential, as discrepancies can result in payment delays or investigations.
Impact on Benefits and Taxes
Family members considering becoming IHSS providers should understand potential impacts on their own benefits and tax situations. IHSS wages are taxable income that must be reported to the IRS. However, certain live-in providers may be exempt from federal income tax on IHSS wages under IRS Notice 2014-7.
Earning income as an IHSS provider could affect eligibility for certain benefit programs, so family members should carefully consider their individual circumstances. Consulting with a benefits counselor or tax professional may be helpful.
Getting Started
The first step is ensuring your senior relative is enrolled in IHSS and has authorized hours. If they are not yet enrolled, All Seniors Foundation can help with the IHSS application process. Once the senior is approved for services, they can designate their family member as their chosen provider.
Our support services team can guide family members through the provider enrollment process, helping with paperwork, understanding requirements, and navigating the system. We believe family caregivers deserve support and recognition for the essential care they provide.
