The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued clarification about IHSS provider travel claims. IHSS providers must be paid for time spent traveling between locations where services are provided. The provider must submit a Provider Workweek & Travel Time Agreement (SOC 2255) to be paid travel time. Counties must accept travel claims, including retroactive claims for travel prior to the filing of the SOC 2255 form, as long as the travel claim is consistent with the information on the SOC 2255. The provider must submit a Travel Claim Form (SOC 2275) for each time period that the provider is eligible to receive travel time. For retroactive claims, county staff must request printing of the SOC 2275 and the print vendor will mail the retroactive SOC 2275 to the provider. No retroactive claims for travel prior to February 1, 2016 will be accepted.
When a provider lives with a recipient, the provider is entitled to compensation for travel time if the provider provides authorized services for the recipient and then travel to another location to provide authorized services for another recipient. The provider is entitled to compensation for travel back to their home if that travel is for the purpose of providing additional authorized services for the recipient with whom the provider lives. Providers are encouraged to develop a work schedule to avoid unnecessary travel.
Counties should request an updated SOC 2255 form only if there is a permanent change in the provider’s travel time. The provider is not required to complete the Recipient and Provider Workweek agreement (SOC 2256) unless the county determines that the provider needs help in scheduling service hours to ensure that the provider stays within the recipient’s monthly authorized hours. (ACIN I-18-19, March 29, 2019.)