CDSS has issued instructions regarding social worker assessments of IHSS eligibility. Social workers must now use hourly task guidelines instead of time per task in determining eligibility for and number of hours in 12 program service areas. The other 13 program service areas have time guidelines without specific ranges for each functional rank.
Counties must continue to conduct individualized needs assessments and to assess needs based in part on the individual’s functional level of impairment. The social worker must also explore any special needs or other circumstances that assist in determining time needed inside or outside the associated time range for the functional level of impairment.
Exceptions to the hourly task guidelines are only allowed when necessary to allow the applicant or recipient to remain safely in their home. The rules for domestic and related services, alternative services and age appropriate guidelines are unchanged.
CDSS included an optional fact sheet that social workers can give to IHSS clients, new annotated assessment criteria, and a new IHSS social worker handbook that includes new model assessment forms. (ACIN I-82-17, December 5, 2017.)