Are you recently retired and would like to supplement your income and be eligible for medical benefits? Are you interested in helping the elderly or disabled and enjoy working with a variety of persons?

In Home Supportive Services (IHSS), a program under the Department of Aging and Adult Services of the Social Services Agency, is a Federal, State & County-funded program designed to assist the aged, blind or disabled to remain in their own homes when they are no longer able to fully care for themselves or maintain their homes through routine household tasks. The program is an alternative to out-of-home care or institutional placement.

The program pays (in whole or in part) for a wide variety of services, which include household chores and personal care. This will enable the person to live safely in his/her own home, while encouraging independence and rehabilitation where possible. A provider can help a person to live in their home in familiar surroundings and assist in creating a secure environment when they have difficulty caring for themselves. As an IHSS provider you will typically be responsible for housework and personal care for elderly or disabled persons.  You will be helping persons maintain their independence and quality of life.

The County currently contracts with the Council On Aging of Santa Clara County Inc. for the IHSS Provider Registry, which refers providers to clients who cannot find a provider on their own. They do not hire providers, but only screens providers to be hired by clients. The Council on Aging interviews and performs a background and driver's license check of all providers placed on the Registry list.

As an IHSS provider you can work part-time or full-time. You can work through the Registry or as a contracted provider through Council on Aging. Wages currently range for $9.25 an hour through the IHSS Registry or $9.55 an hour starting salary as a contract provider. A provider can work as little as 35 hours a month and receive medical, dental, and vision benefits. If the contractor hires a provider, the provider would have to work 35 hours a week to be eligible for medical and VTA bus pass benefits.

For more information on how to become a provider either through the Registry or as a Contract provider please contact the Council on Aging at (408) 296-8290 or (800) 510-2020 or check their web site by clicking on the link below.

• Aging and Adult Services Department
• Council on Aging - Silicon Valley