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Gov. Jerry Brown last week signed into law a bill by local Assemblywoman Catharine Baker (R-San Ramon) that offers more ways for home-bound residents to apply for In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) benefits, including submitting their documents via computer.
Baker said she introduced Assembly Bill 1021 to help modernize the IHSS application process because many counties in California only allowed residents to apply for benefits over the phone.
Receiving unanimous support from both legislative houses and the governor’s endorsement, Baker’s legislation requires counties to also accept applications online, via email or other electronic means if they’re capable of doing so. IHSS applications can also be accepted by fax, phone or in person, under AB 1021.
“IHSS programs help the blind, disabled, and elderly in our community live more independently, and at much less expense than nursing homes and assisted living,” Baker, whose district includes the San Ramon Valley, said in a statement. “This bipartisan bill makes the program more efficient and accessible, and that’s good government.”
Funded through state, county and federal money, the IHSS program provides services to approximately 464,000 low-income Californians who are blind, disabled or 65 years old or older, according to Baker’s office.
Services include personal care (toileting, bathing and grooming), domestic help (such as meal preparation or housecleaning), paramedical and protective supervision.
With AB 1021 now law, IHSS beneficiaries can apply for those services with the same process they would use to apply for CalFresh benefits instead of solely over-the-phone, Baker noted.
Introduced in February, the bill advanced out of the State Assembly 69-0 in May and then passed the State Senate 40-0 on July 17. The governor signed it July 31.
