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An older person needing care at home in California: what to do first, deadlines, documents, and which benefits open

What to file when an older person needs care at home in California: Medi-Cal, then an In-Home Supportive Services application with the SOC 873 health care certification. Each eligibility rule here comes from the agency's own page.

What happens when an older person needs care at home

An older adult can no longer manage daily tasks alone. In-Home Supportive Services, care management, adult day programs, PACE and a VA pension add-on may pay for care at home. This page lists what to file first, the deadlines the agencies state, the documents they name, and the programs the event opens. Each deadline and each rule carries the id of the official page it was read from on 2026-10-09; a rule no official page stated reads UNKNOWN.

First actions, in order
JSONFirst actions, in order
3 items
6 keys
"order"1
"action""Apply for Medi-Cal if not enrolled."
"program_id""B011"
"program_slug""california-medi-cal"
"deadline""Any time of year."
"source""s_dpss_medi_anytime"
6 keys
"order"2
"action""Apply for In-Home Supportive Services at the county IHSS office."
"program_id""B015"
"program_slug""california-ihss"
"deadline""No deadline stated; services are not authorized until the county receives the SOC 873."
"source""s_cdss_ihss_apply"
6 keys
"order"3
"action""Have the doctor or licensed health care professional complete the Health Care Certification (SOC 873)."
"program_id""B015"
"program_slug""california-ihss"
"deadline""Before IHSS services can be authorized."
"source""s_cdss_ihss_873"

Deadlines that cost money or coverage when missed

ProgramDeadlineDaysCounted fromSource
B015 In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)The county must receive a completed SOC 873 before IHSS services are authorized.the IHSS applications_cdss_ihss_873

Documents to gather

  • Health Care Certification (SOC 873) (B015; s_cdss_ihss_873)

Programs this event opens

References (6)
procedure· 866 words
In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) (paid in-home care for aged, blind and disabled Californians on Medi-Cal): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens next
IHSS pays a provider, who can be a family member, to help aged, blind and disabled people on Medi-Cal with daily tasks at home, up to 283 hours a month for the most impaired. The county assesses need at a home visit. Apply with form SOC 295 at the county IHSS office.
program id
B015
fiscal year
UNKNOWN
apply at
https://www.cdss.ca.gov/in-home-supportive-services
related program ids
["B011","B023","B024","B016","B073","B013","B063","B001"]
procedure· 1,181 words
Medi-Cal (California Medicaid health coverage): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens next
Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid program: free or low-cost health coverage, with dental and vision care, for people whose income is under the limit for their group. This page carries the current income limits, the asset and immigration rules, the dated changes coming in 2027 with their official sources, and the application and renewal steps. Apply at BenefitsCal, through Covered California, or at the county office.
program id
B011
fiscal year
Calendar year 2026 (Medi-Cal income limits)
apply at
https://benefitscal.com
related program ids
["B001","B012","B065","B070","B080","B073","B016","B013","B015","B018","B019","B021","B023"]
procedure· 671 words
PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly: all medical and social care from one team, at home instead of a nursing home): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens next
PACE gives people 55 and older who need nursing-home level care all their medical and social care from one team, with a day center, home care and transportation, so they can stay at home. With Medi-Cal there is no premium and no copays. Apply by calling a PACE organization that serves your ZIP code.
program id
B073
fiscal year
UNKNOWN
apply at
https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/health-plans/your-coverage-options/other-medicare-health-plans/PACE
related program ids
["B011","B016","B015","B013","B014","B063","B070","B065"]

Official addresses

References (6)
Related pages
Beside
Medi-Cal (California Medicaid health coverage): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens nextIn-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) (paid in-home care for aged, blind and disabled Californians on Medi-Cal): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens nextMSSP and CBAS (Medi-Cal care management for seniors and adult day health centers that keep people out of nursing homes): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens nextVA Veterans Pension and Aid and Attendance (monthly payment for low-income wartime veterans): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens nextOlder Americans Act meals (Meals on Wheels / congregate) (free group meals and home-delivered meals for Californians 60 and older): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens nextPACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly: all medical and social care from one team, at home instead of a nursing home): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens next
References (9)
  1. Health (Medi-Cal) — Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services“you can apply for Medi-Cal anytime throughout the year online or through Covered California.”
  2. In-Home Supportive Services: how to apply — California Department of Social Services“To apply for IHSS, complete an application and submit it to”
  3. In-Home Supportive Services: SOC 873 — California Department of Social Services“A completed Health Care Certification (SOC 873) must be received by the county prior to authorization of services.”
  4. In-Home Supportive Services: Medi-Cal — California Department of Social Services“You must have a Medi-Cal eligibility determination.”
  5. In-Home Supportive Services — California Department of Social Services“The In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program provides in-home assistance to eligible aged, blind, and disabled individuals as an alternative to out-of-home care”
  6. Multipurpose Senior Services Program — California Department of Aging“Persons 60 years of age or older who are eligible for Medi-Cal under a qualifying primary Medi-Cal aid code and who are certified or certifiable for placement in a skilled nursing facility.”
  7. Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound allowance — U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs“VA Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits provide monthly payments added to the amount of a monthly VA pension for qualified Veterans and survivors.”
  8. Nutrition Services — U.S. Administration for Community Living“Local program services are available to those 60+, their spouses of any age”
  9. PACE — Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (Medicare.gov)“Need a nursing home-level of care (as certified by your state)”