Provider Enrollment Instructions for IHSS Providers of Orange County

Thank you for your interest in becoming an In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Provider.

State law requires that IHSS Providers complete all the enrollment steps and pass a criminal background check before they are eligible to be paid by the IHSS Program.

Review our IHSS Provider Enrollment Processing Timeline | Tiempo de Procesamiento para Inscripción del Proveedor de IHSS | Lịch Trình Tiến Hành Ghi Danh Người Chăm Sóc IHSS.

* * * IMPORTANT INFORMATION - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY * * *

  • Make sure the person you will be providing care for, known as your "Recipient", has an eligible IHSS case BEFORE you start working for them.  Otherwise, you will NOT be paid by the IHSS Program.
  • If you are providing care for a MINOR IHSS Recipient, do NOT begin the enrollment process until you are approved by the Recipient's IHSS Social Worker to become the IHSS Provider.
  • You must carefully review the COVID-19 Vaccine Notice | Aviso de Vacunación de COVID-19 and the COVID-19 Vaccination Exemption Form for an important update from CDSS that requires certain IHSS and Waiver Personal Care Services (WPCS) Providers to be fully vaccinated and boosted with the COVID-19 vaccine by March 1, 2022, or within 15 days of becoming eligible to receive the booster dose.  Do NOT submit your COVID-19 Vaccination Exemption Form / Vaccination Record Card to the Public Authority.

Your enrollment as an IHSS Provider requires the following steps:

  • Create an account.  SAVE YOUR USER ID, PASSWORD, SECURITY QUESTIONS and ANSWERS.
  • Enter your Provider information
  • Watch the orientation videos
  • Electronically sign documents:
    • IHSS Provider Enrollment Form (SOC 426)
    • IHSS Provider Enrollment Agreement (SOC 846)
  • Schedule an appointment

  • Arrive EARLY/ON TIME and plan on staying for an average of 2 hours.
  • You will be turned away and MUST reschedule your appointment if you arrive late or forget to bring your ORIGINAL, VALID documents: Social Security card (work permit if applicable) and ID card. - A copy, photo, or receipt will NOT be accepted.
  • You may park in spaces marked "County of Orange Employees Only."
  • LIMITED SEATING.  Do NOT bring children, your IHSS Recipients, or anyone else to your appointment.
  • Incomplete paperwork will NOT be accepted.
  • If you do not have access to a printer, call us at 714-825-3195 before your scheduled appointment and we will mail you the necessary enrollment forms.

  • Provider Enrollment Checklist
  • ORIGINAL, VALID Social Security card
    • ORIGINAL, VALID work permit/immigration verification IF your Social Security card has a work restriction

      - Refer to the Social Security card examples.

  • ORIGINAL, VALID government-issued photo identification card
  • Your name on the forms, identification card and Social Security card (work permit if applicable) must match.

  • Recipient Designation of Provider Form | Formulario de Designación de un Proveedor por el Beneficiario (SOC 426A)
    • Your Provider start date and IHSS Recipient's signature MUST be on the SOC 426A Form.
    • If the Recipient is unable to sign, their IHSS Authorized Representative / Legal Guardian / Conservator may sign the SOC 426A Form.
    • If you are the IHSS Recipient's Authorized Representative AND also the Provider, you CANNOT sign the SOC 426A Form and another person must be designated to sign your IHSS Provider-related documents.
  • Copy of your Live Scan Form receipt
    • You can follow the instructions in step 3 to get fingerprinted before your scheduled appointment.

      - Refer to the Live Scan Form example.

  • You can choose to do this a Live Scan service provider outside from the locations we provided as long as you use our Live Scan Form.
  • If you are getting fingerprinted in another state other than CA, do NOT use our Live Scan Form and call us for further instructions.
  • If you have been convicted of or incarcerated following a conviction for a Tier 1 or Tier 2 crime within the past 10 years, it will affect your eligibility to become an IHSS Provider.

  • Social Security Office verifies your Social Security number.
  • Public Authority receives your cleared criminal background check results.

  • Check your email for information on your initial timesheets and IHSS Provider number sent from OCProviderEnrollment@ssa.ocgov.com.
    • If you have not received an email with your IHSS Provider number 8-weeks after your appointment date, call the Provider Enrollment Hotline at 714-825-3195 or email OCProviderEnrollment@ssa.ocgov.com to check on your initial timesheet status.
  • Create your Provider account to access and submit your electronic timesheets through the IHSS Electronic Services Portal (ESP) website or call the automated Telephone Timesheet System (TTS) at 833-342-5388.
  • Enroll in Direct Deposit through your ESP account or sign up for a pay card. Go to Online Direct Deposit Services to learn more.

Ready to begin?

CLICK HERE to Start Online Enrollment