Provider Enrollment Requirements
These requirements were voted in to law as part of the 2009-10 “anti-fraud” initiative. They apply to ALL providers; whether you are a new provider or have been an IHSS homecare worker for years, whether you are a family member or work for a consumer that you are not related to.
Remember, you are entitled to help–such as interpreter services–if you need it. If you are having problems reaching the right person in the county or getting a response, contact the UDW Member Communications Hotline at 1 800 621-5016 or your local UDW Regional Office
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Provider Enrollment Requirement – for ALL IHSS Providers
1. Complete and sign a Provider Enrollment Form (SOC 426)
- You must return the SOC 426 in person to the location designated by your county IHSS Office or IHSS Public Authority.
- When returning the SOC 426, you must present original documentation verifying your identity, such as an unexpired Driver’s License or Identification Card, AND your original Social Security card. The name on your Social Security card needs to be exactly the same as on your ID document. If your photo ID has a different maiden name or no middle name etc then this has to be corrected by the issuer of the document.
- If you are a permanent legal resident instead of a citizen, then you must additionally show proof or legal residency with your Social Security card.
- DO NOT return the SOC 426 to the State Department of Social Services because this will cause a delay in the processing of your information.
2. Submit fingerprints at your expense and pass a criminal background check by the California Department of Justice (DOJ)
- You must follow the instructions provided by your county IHSS Office or IHSS Public Authority for submitting your fingerprints at a Live Scan location.
- It can take several days (sometimes even longer) from the time you submit your fingerprints for the county IHSS Office or IHSS Public Authority to get the results of the criminal background check from DOJ.
- If the results of the criminal background check show that you have been convicted of, or incarcerated for, one of the crimes listed below within the last 10 years, you are NOT eligible to be an IHSS provider.
- Abuse of an elder or dependent adult,
- Specified abuse of a child, or
- Fraud against a government health care or supportive services program.
- If you work in more than one county, you do NOT need to complete a second background check for that county.
- If you have no payroll activity for one year your eligibility is automatically terminated. If this happens and you want to re-enroll as a provider you will have to apply again and complete all provider enrollment requirements (including cost of fingerprinting).
Additional Information
3. Complete a Provider Orientation
- You may either attend an in-person orientation or receive the orientation materials from the county IHSS Office or IHSS Public Authority and review them on your own.
- You may view the Provider Orientation Video here, courtesy of the IHSS Coalition. Remember the video is only part of the package of materials that must be reviewed.
4. Sign an IHSS Program Provider Enrollment Agreement (SOC 846)
- By signing the SOC 846 you are stating that you understand and agree to the rules and requirements for being an IHSS provider
Once you have completed all of these steps and you have been enrolled as an IHSS provider by the county IHSS Office or IHSS Public Authority, you will continue to be eligible to get paid for providing authorized services for any IHSS recipient as long as you are an active provider and your criminal background check remains clear of all disqualifying crimes.
The new state budget includes an expanded list of crimes that will disqualify providers from working and being paid. The expanded list of crimes will become law 90 days after Gov. Schwarzenegger signed this year’s budget – approximately January 17, 2011. See detail of new budget rules impacting IHSS here.
If you have any questions about these new requirements, contact your county IHSS or IHSS Public Authority. You can find their information on your individual County page listed here or you may contact the UDWA Member Call Center; toll free at (800) 621-5016
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