A colleague of mine sighed during lunch. She said ever since her mother fell, she goes straight to her parents' house after work to help her mother bathe, manage medications, and on weekends, she does grocery shopping and cleaning.

So I asked her, "Have you applied for IHSS?" The response was, "What's that?"

Surprisingly, many people are unaware of it. So today, I will properly summarize how children who care for their parents in LA can receive caregiver payments through IHSS.

IHSS stands for In-Home Supportive Services. It is a home care program operated by the state of California and managed by the county.

The core idea is simple. It allows elderly or disabled individuals who have difficulty living alone at home to stay at home instead of in a care facility, with the government providing wages to the caregiver.

And the key point is that the caregiver can be a family member. If you are already taking care of your parents daily, you can register as a formal provider and receive payment for the same work.

So how much can you earn? The LA County Board of Supervisors approved a wage increase for IHSS providers on September 2, 2025.

As a result, starting January 1, 2026, the base wage for IHSS in LA County will be $19.64. This is an increase of 74 cents from the previous amount.

Honestly, it's not a huge amount. However, thinking that you will receive a monthly payment for the care you are already providing changes the conversation completely.

If you are approved to work more than 40 hours a week, any additional hours will be calculated at 1.5 times the regular wage as overtime. However, a provider caring for only one recipient cannot exceed 70 hours and 45 minutes per week.

There is a common misunderstanding here. The hours are not determined by you.

When you apply, a county social worker will visit your home to assess how much assistance your parents need with bathing, meal preparation, dressing, mobility, and medication management. Based on that assessment, they will determine how many hours are approved each month.

It is really helpful to keep a record of what assistance your parents receive throughout the day before the assessment. Note what time they take their medication and how many times they need help to the bathroom.

So on the day of the assessment, it's important to show your parents as they are in their usual state. If they try to put on a brave face because guests are present, the actual time needed may be underestimated.

You also need to clarify the eligibility requirements. IHSS is targeted at Medi-Cal beneficiaries, so your parents must qualify for Medi-Cal.

The Medi-Cal asset limit has changed several times over the years. Starting January 1, 2026, the limits will revert to $130,000 for individuals and $195,000 for couples.

Moreover, there are analyses suggesting that discussions in the state budget may lead to further reductions in this limit. Be sure to check the criteria at the time of application.

There are also procedures for children who want to become providers. You need to submit a registration application, attend an orientation, and undergo a Live Scan fingerprint background check.

You must also have a legal status to work in the U.S. Certain criminal records, such as elder abuse or public healthcare fraud, may prevent registration.

If you feel burdened by English, ask if Korean interpretation is available when you call. It would be a shame to miss out just because of a language barrier.

Once registered, you submit your hours worked on a timesheet and receive payment. It may be a bit cumbersome at first, but you will quickly get used to it after a month or two.

The first step is a phone call. The phone number to apply for IHSS in LA County is 1-888-944-4477.

There is a separate helpline at 1-888-822-9622 for inquiries from already registered beneficiaries or providers. Don't confuse the two numbers.

Of course, there are opposing views. Some question whether it is right to receive government money for caring for family, arguing that it only increases tax burdens.

However, looking at it from another angle, the conversation changes a bit. If your parents enter a care facility, that cost often comes from Medi-Cal, which means it ultimately comes from taxes.

If family members care for them at home, the elderly can stay in a familiar environment, and even if the children reduce their work hours, they can alleviate some financial burdens. I see this structure as a reasonable trade-off.

However, how IHSS payments affect other benefits or tax filings varies from household to household. Since it depends on individual circumstances, be sure to check with your county representative or a tax professional before applying.

If it were me, I would call without hesitation. Even if I find out I don't qualify, there's nothing to lose.

That colleague of mine said she would call to apply next week. For those carrying everything alone, make sure to take advantage of this system. The care you provide is truly valuable.