$500 bonus payments on the way to In-Home Supportive Services providers - Lake County News
The California Department of Social Services, or CDSS, said it is issuing one‑time $500 bonus payments to roughly 550,000 In-Home Supportive Services, or IHSS, providers throughout California.
The payments, which are already being distributed to IHSS providers, recognize these care providers for their critical efforts to help keep IHSS recipients safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The IHSS program provides critical care and support to some of California's most vulnerable residents, allowing them to remain safely in their own homes.
To be eligible, recipients must be over 65 years of age, or disabled, or blind. Disabled children may also be eligible for IHSS.
The California Department of Social Services reported that there are more than 1,800 IHSS providers in Lake County, serving more than 2,150 authorized recipients.
As of Jan. 1, due to an updated contract between the county of Lake and SEIU Local 2015 Union, the union which represents Lake County's IHSS providers, the providers' wages now are $15.65 per hour.
"I'd like to personally thank all IHSS care providers for their continued hard work, which helped protect the health and safety of some of the most vulnerable residents in our state during the pandemic," said CDSS Director Kim Johnson. "In addition to helping caregivers, we hope these payments help encourage caregivers to continue providing these essential services."
IHSS providers began receiving their payments automatically on January 20, 2022. Current IHSS providers who provided care to program recipients for a minimum of two months between March 2020 and March 2021 are eligible.
A total of $275 million in federal funds are set to be delivered through this effort. The funds were included in California's Home and Community-Based Services spending plan.
IHSS providers who receive their regular payments through direct deposit will receive the $500 within 2-3 business days of issuance. It can take up to five to seven business days, or 10 calendar days, for providers who receive paper checks due to mail time.
The IHSS program is considered an alternative to out-of-home care, such as nursing homes or board and care facilities.
The types of services which can be authorized through IHSS are housecleaning, meal preparation, laundry, grocery shopping, and various personal care services.
"These $500 payments mark an important investment in the IHSS workforce who provide these critical services," Johnson added. "We remain committed to supporting the continued recruitment and retention of California's IHSS providers."
Visit the CDSS website for information on how to receive IHSS care or how to become an IHSS provider.
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