The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued guidance regarding redetermination of eligibility of a parent to be a paid In Home Supportive Services (IHSS) provider for their minor child during COVID-19. In general, parents are allowed to be paid IHSS providers for their minor children if the parent has left full-time employment or is prevented from obtaining full-time employment because no other suitable provider is available and the child is at risk of inappropriate placement or inadequate care unless the parent provides services. In a two-parent household where one parent is a paid IHSS provider for a minor child, if the second parent loses employment or is no longer attending school or vocational training, the second parent is considered a suitable provider.
Through June 30, 2020, counties cannot reduce IHSS hours for any reason, including that a reassessment results in a parent being found ineligible to be a paid provider. After June 30, 2020, if the second parent continues to be able and available, they will be considered a suitable provider and the first parent will no longer be eligible to be a paid provider. If by June 30, 2020, the second parent again becomes unable or unavailable to provide services, the eligibility of the first parent to be a paid provider will not change.
If a reassessment prior to June 30, 2020 determines that parents are no longer eligible to hire a non-parent provider for their minor children, that change cannot occur until after June 30, 2020. (ACL 20-49, April 23, 2020.)