IHSS Authorized vs. Unauthorized Tasks 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An IHSS provider's recipient asks them to pick up a prescription from the pharmacy. This task is authorized only if:
- It is listed on the SOC 873 notice of action (Correct answer)
- The pharmacy is within walking distance
- The provider has a valid driver's license
- The recipient is unable to leave home for any reason
Correct answer: It is listed on the SOC 873 notice of action
IHSS tasks are authorized only when specifically listed and approved on the recipient's notice of action (SOC 873).
Question 2: A recipient asks their IHSS provider to watch their grandchildren for two hours while the recipient naps. The provider should:
- Decline, as childcare is not an authorized IHSS service (Correct answer)
- Agree, since the recipient needs rest to maintain their health
- Agree, since it is a one-time favor
- Decline only if the children are under age 5
Correct answer: Decline, as childcare is not an authorized IHSS service
Childcare and supervision of third parties are not authorized IHSS services, regardless of circumstances.
Question 3: Which of the following is an example of an unauthorized IHSS task?
- Washing the recipient's dishes
- Doing yard work and mowing the lawn (Correct answer)
- Reminding the recipient to take medication
- Assisting the recipient with bathing
Correct answer: Doing yard work and mowing the lawn
Yard work and lawn care are not covered IHSS services because they are not among the authorized supportive services categories.
Question 4: An IHSS provider is authorized for meal preparation. The recipient asks the provider to prepare a large meal for a family gathering. This is:
- Authorized if the recipient eats some of the meal
- Unauthorized because it goes beyond the recipient's personal meal needs (Correct answer)
- Authorized as a one-time exception for special occasions
- Authorized if the provider is also cooking the recipient's portion
Correct answer: Unauthorized because it goes beyond the recipient's personal meal needs
Meal preparation is authorized only for the recipient's personal nutritional needs, not for entertaining or feeding other household members.
Question 5: A provider is authorized for housecleaning. Which area of the home may the provider clean?
- Any room the recipient requests
- Only rooms used by the recipient (Correct answer)
- Only the kitchen and bathroom
- The entire house to maintain overall cleanliness
Correct answer: Only rooms used by the recipient
IHSS housecleaning is limited to areas of the home the recipient actually uses, not rooms occupied solely by others.
Question 6: The recipient instructs their IHSS provider to give the recipient's neighbor a ride to the doctor. The provider should:
- Refuse, since IHSS transportation services apply only to the recipient (Correct answer)
- Agree if the neighbor is also elderly or disabled
- Agree if the trip is combined with a trip for the recipient
- Refuse only if the provider is not comfortable driving
Correct answer: Refuse, since IHSS transportation services apply only to the recipient
IHSS transportation services are authorized solely for the recipient and cannot be extended to neighbors, friends, or family members.
Question 7: A provider notices that laundry is authorized on the recipient's SOC 873, but the recipient asks the provider to also wash clothes belonging to other household members. The provider should:
- Wash only the recipient's laundry (Correct answer)
- Wash all laundry since it is one task
- Wash the household members' laundry as a courtesy
- Ask a supervisor to decide before proceeding
Correct answer: Wash only the recipient's laundry
Even when a task is authorized, the scope is limited to the recipient's personal needs, not those of other household members.
IHSS Authorized vs. Unauthorized Tasks 2
An IHSS provider's recipient asks them to pick up a prescription from the pharmacy.
This task is authorized only if: