IHSS Enrollment Requirements 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under IHSS rules, which individual is PROHIBITED from being enrolled as a provider for a specific recipient?
- An adult child of the recipient
- A neighbor who lives in the same apartment building
- A legally responsible relative when a non-spouse/parent alternative is unavailable
- The recipient's conservator who has financial control over their estate (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The recipient's conservator who has financial control over their estate
A conservator with financial control over the recipient's estate is prohibited from also serving as their paid IHSS provider to prevent conflicts of interest.
Question 2: How long does a newly enrolled IHSS provider typically have to complete provider orientation after enrollment?
- Within 30 days of their first paycheck
- Before their first timesheet is processed
- Within 60 days of enrollment (Correct answer)
- Orientation is optional for experienced caregivers
Correct answer: Within 60 days of enrollment
Newly enrolled IHSS providers are generally required to complete orientation within 60 days of enrollment.
Question 3: What does the IHSS program use the provider's Social Security Number (SSN) for during enrollment?
- To determine eligibility for state benefits
- For tax reporting and identity verification purposes (Correct answer)
- To check immigration status
- To link the provider to a specific recipient permanently
Correct answer: For tax reporting and identity verification purposes
The SSN is used for tax reporting (W-2 issuance) and to verify the provider's identity during enrollment.
Question 4: Which of the following changes requires a provider to update their information with the county?
- A change in the recipient's care schedule
- A change in the provider's bank account for direct deposit (Correct answer)
- A change in the type of services the recipient needs
- A change in the recipient's physician
Correct answer: A change in the provider's bank account for direct deposit
Providers must report banking changes to the county to ensure direct deposit payments go to the correct account.
Question 5: If an IHSS provider has a prior felony conviction, what is the standard outcome of their enrollment application?
- Automatic approval if the conviction is more than 10 years old
- Automatic denial regardless of how long ago the conviction occurred
- Review by the county to determine if an exemption is warranted (Correct answer)
- Referral to a state appeals board before any decision is made
Correct answer: Review by the county to determine if an exemption is warranted
Felony convictions trigger a county-level review process to determine whether an exemption from denial is appropriate based on specific criteria.
Question 6: A recipient selects a provider who is not yet enrolled. When can that provider begin delivering paid services?
- Immediately, as long as the recipient has an active IHSS case
- After submitting the enrollment application but before approval
- Only after the county fully approves and enrolls the provider (Correct answer)
- After completing orientation, regardless of enrollment status
Correct answer: Only after the county fully approves and enrolls the provider
Providers may not receive payment for IHSS services until the county has fully processed and approved their enrollment.
Question 7: What is the purpose of the 'Provider Registry' that some California counties maintain?
- It lists providers who have been decertified and are ineligible
- It connects recipients who need providers with enrolled individuals willing to work (Correct answer)
- It tracks the number of hours each provider works monthly
- It records provider complaints and disciplinary actions
Correct answer: It connects recipients who need providers with enrolled individuals willing to work
County provider registries help match IHSS recipients who need care with enrolled providers who are available to work.
IHSS Enrollment Requirements 3
Under IHSS rules, which individual is PROHIBITED from being enrolled as a provider for a specific recipient?