IHSS/SSI

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federally funded program administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). It is designed to provide income support to assist the elderly and disabled with basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter. In order to qualify, the applicant must meet the income and resource limits set by the SSA.

In Home Support Services, better known as IHSS, is a state program that enables children and adults with disabilities to live safely in their own home. Such a program has become critically important to individuals as large, publicly funded institutions for the disabled have closed down. The idea behind IHSS is that individuals can live a normal life and live where they choose if they can be assisted in personal care needs such as dressing, feeding, bathing, and toileting. IHSS pays a family member or a personal assistant, coming into the home, to meet these needs. Services also include paramedical needs, such as giving medications or providing physician ordered therapy and even taking the individual to medical appointments. To be eligible for IHSS, the individual must have SSI or meet the requirements for SSI.

For more information and how to apply, check out the following links.

CA Department of Social Services:
SSI: http://www.dss.cahwnet.gov/cdssweb/PG151.htm
IHSS: http://www.dss.cahwnet.gov/cdssweb/PG139.htm

Social Security Administration website for SSI: http://www.ssa.gov/ssi/