IHSS (In-Home Supportive Services) is a program that provides assistance to elderly or disabled individuals who require help with daily activities, including children with special needs such as autism. This program is designed to help people stay in their homes and avoid institutionalization. However, many recipients find that they don't receive enough hours of assistance to meet their needs. In this blog, we'll discuss how you can increase your IHSS hours and get the help you need.

Assess your need for more IHSS hours

The first step to increasing your IHSS hours is to assess your needs. Take the time to make a list of all the tasks you need assistance with, and estimate how much time each task takes. This will help you to determine how many hours of assistance you need per week.

Contact your social worker

Once you have assessed your needs, contact your IHSS social worker. Let them know that you need additional assistance, and provide them with a copy of your needs assessment. Your social worker will review your case and determine if you are eligible for additional hours.

Provide documentation

In order to increase your IHSS hours, you may need to provide documentation of your condition and the level of assistance you require. This may include medical records, doctor's notes, or a letter from your healthcare provider. Make sure you provide all the necessary documentation to support your request for additional hours.

Consider a reassessment

If you have already been assessed for IHSS and are not receiving enough hours, you may want to request a reassessment. This will involve a new evaluation of your needs and may result in an increase in your IHSS hours.

Appeal the decision

If your request for additional hours is denied, you have the right to appeal the decision. You can request a hearing and present your case to an administrative law judge. Make sure you have all the necessary documentation to support your case, and consider seeking legal advice if necessary.

Utilize other resources While you are waiting for an increase in your IHSS hours, consider utilizing other resources to help meet your needs. This may include community services, volunteer programs, or family and friends. Make sure you explore all the options available to you.

In conclusion, increasing your IHSS hours can be a challenging process, but it is possible with the right approach. By assessing your needs, contacting your social worker, providing documentation, considering a reassessment, appealing the decision, and utilizing other resources, you can get the help you need to stay in your home and maintain your independence. Remember to be persistent, and don't give up until you get the assistance you need.

If this process sounds overwhelming and you feel you need help, you can always reach out to us. Our advocates can lead you through everything, as well as attend the hearing with you.

American Disability Association is dedicated to the wellbeing and protection of children with disabilities and actively provides support to enhance their quality of life. Whether you are dealing with federal or state benefits or struggling with a school district to get proper education for your child, we have the resources to help you. Many individuals and families managing a disability are not aware of the wide array of services available to them, or they do not know how to apply for these benefits in a way that is likely to succeed.

Contact us for help. Dial (877) 283-4807 or email us at info@americandisabilityassociation.org.

If you live in California, In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) is a government-funded program that provides financial assistance to families caring for children with special needs. The program allows parents or guardians to become IHSS providers, receiving payment for providing essential services such as bathing, dressing, feeding, and other necessary activities of daily living for their children. However, not all parents or guardians are eligible to become IHSS providers for their children with special needs. There are specific disqualifying factors that can prevent a parent or guardian from participating in the program.

Criminal Records

The first factor that can disqualify a parent or guardian from becoming an IHSS provider for their child is a criminal record. Any felony conviction or misdemeanor conviction for a crime that involves abuse or neglect of a child, elderly, or disabled person automatically disqualifies a person from becoming an IHSS provider. The conviction can be for either a crime committed against the recipient of the IHSS services or any other person, including a child. Additionally, a history of violent behavior, even if there is no criminal record, may prevent a parent or guardian from becoming an IHSS provider.

Drug Abuse

Another factor that can disqualify a parent or guardian from becoming an IHSS provider is a history of drug or alcohol abuse. Any evidence of substance abuse, such as a positive drug test, can disqualify a person from being an IHSS provider. Even if the person has completed drug or alcohol rehabilitation programs, they may not be eligible to participate in the IHSS program.

Ability to Perform Services

The third factor that can disqualify a parent or guardian from becoming an IHSS provider is a lack of ability or willingness to perform the necessary services. IHSS providers must be able to perform the essential activities of daily living for the recipient of the services. If a parent or guardian is not physically or mentally capable of providing these services, they may not be eligible to become an IHSS provider. Additionally, if the parent or guardian is not willing to provide the necessary services, they may also be disqualified from participating in the program.

A parent or guardian who has been previously disqualified from the IHSS program for any of the reasons listed above may not be eligible to participate in the future. If a parent or guardian has been disqualified, they will be notified in writing of the reasons for the disqualification and given the opportunity to appeal the decision. The appeals process allows the parent or guardian to present evidence and arguments as to why they should be allowed to participate in the program.

Becoming an IHSS provider for a child with special needs is a significant responsibility. It requires a commitment to providing essential services, often on a full-time basis, and a willingness to put the needs of the child first. However, there are specific disqualifying factors that can prevent a parent or guardian from participating in the program, including criminal records, substance abuse, and a lack of ability or willingness to provide the necessary services. If a parent or guardian is disqualified from the program, they should take advantage of the appeals process to present their case and demonstrate why they should be allowed to participate in the IHSS program.

If this process sounds overwhelming and you feel you need help, you can always reach out to us. Our advocates can lead you through everything, as well as attend the hearing with you.

American Disability Association is dedicated to the wellbeing and protection of children with disabilities and actively provides support to enhance their quality of life. Whether you are dealing with federal or state benefits or struggling with a school district to get proper education for your child, we have the resources to help you. Many individuals and families managing a disability are not aware of the wide array of services available to them, or they do not know how to apply for these benefits in a way that is likely to succeed.

Contact us for help. Dial (877) 283-4807 or email us at info@americandisabilityassociation.org.

Summer is almost here, and it's time to search for childcare for your little one with special needs. This includes finding someone who provides reliable, devoted, and quality care for your child. Having a child with special needs makes searching for someone more complex: you may have to ask more questions to find the right person who matches your requirements. So how do you find the best childcare for your child with special needs?

Find a Daycare that Specializes in a Child with Special Needs

You’ll want to find a childcare provider who has familiarity working with kids with special needs, who comprehends the different challenges involved, and who knows how to adjust activities as needed. Most importantly, you’ll want to find someone who you know you can trust. You’re not alone. We understand that this is a tough decision to make.

Ask the Childcare Provider Questions

Above all, you should search for premium childcare that offers receptive attentiveness that positively acknowledges variances in children’s capabilities, concentrations, and proficiencies. The emphasis should be on care and activities that are tailored specifically to your child, with an environment that mixes predictability and scheduling with activities that are fresh and stimulating.
There are three key elements that you should evaluate when looking at a daycare for your child with special needs. The first is safety. Ask yourself if the environment is safe for your child’s abilities. The second is structure. Is the setting too constricting or too unstructured for your child? Lastly, you need to assess regulation. How will this person discipline your child and manage your child’s behavior challenges? Look for a provider who wants to collaborate with you to develop the best match for your child. It’s particularly significant for you as a parent to partner with your provider, as well as teachers, community resources and professionals in special-needs arenas, to make sure that everyone has a clear picture of your requirements and the needs of your child.

Find Dependable Childcare Sources

When you’ve established the type of caregiving your child with special needs necessitates, begin your search by finding the special needs community in your area and asking questions. Usually, you will find that there are other parents who have valuable information about local resources. However, remember that every child is different, and what is right for another parent’s special needs child may not be a fit for yours.
When in doubt, speak with a professional agency, one that has a lot of experience with children with special needs. Meet the daycare provider in person, ask many questions, and request verification for state and federal compliance and licensing.

In-Home Caregivers and Special Needs Daycare Centers

The most optimal choice is in-home care for your child with special needs. A credible agency has experience working with children with special needs and does extensive background checks for anyone working one-on-one with a child with special needs. They will also be insured properly, and have state and federal regulations clearly met. Search for a provider that pairs a caregiver with your child’s specific needs, and also delivers a protective environment, developmentally-appropriate activities, and support that aligns with your child’s diagnosis.
If you do decide that a daycare center is the right fit for your special needs child, you have every right to one. The American Disabilities Act does not permit daycare centers to decline the admittance of a child due to a disability. Each daycare center must calculate the child’s individual necessities and arrange reasonable modifications, if possible.
But will your child benefit from a traditional daycare center, or one that focuses on special needs children? To determine the best fit, estimate your child’s capacity to communicate and socialize on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being very functional. If you feel your child is below five in many areas, you might want to look for a provider in your community who offers more specialized care.
If you need help with financial support to help pay for childcare, please contact us.
American Advocacy Group is on the front lines every day, making positive change happen for people diagnosed with Autism, Down syndrome and a range of diagnoses across the continuum. As a leading advocate for all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, and the premier provider of the support and services people want and need, we understand the system and know how to take action in regard to your best interests.
CONTACT US FOR HELP.
Dial (877) 762-0702 or email us at info@americanadvocacygroup.com.

In the state of California, raising children is expensive and raising children with special needs can be even more expensive. In 2020, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimated the cost of raising a child from birth to 18 years at $233,610 or about $12,978 a year. Estimates on what the annual cost to raise a child with autism can run somewhere between $1.5 million and $2.4 million, with occupational, behavioral and life skills therapy, private schooling and private caregivers among the expenses. Fortunately, there is financial assistance for children with special needs. (more…)

The month of April is dedicated to Autism awareness with World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD), which aims to put a spotlight on the hurdles that people with autism and their families face every day. Thanks to campaigns like this, the percentage of people who are actually unaware of autism is much smaller than it was just a decade ago. This is why raising awareness for autism is so important.
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When you are responsible for a loved one with a disability, a plan is needed in order for the financial security and services that the disabled individual requires in order to live a fulfilling life, as independently as possible. It’s necessary to assess the costs for the essential support, identify the government benefits for which the person is eligible and may be receiving, and plan for the future when your child is an adult, including filing for a conservatorship if the individual will be unable to make important decisions independently, and a special needs trust when caregivers have passed away.
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If your child has autism and you live in California, then you could be eligible for monetary payments. Programs like In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) provide financial benefits in California that can help pay for therapies and other treatments, or simply daily expenses that become difficult if you have to take time off or you are unable to work completely. This translates into money you can get to help raise your child with autism.
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Financial help is sometimes needed as we are trying to work, pay bills, and raise a child with a disability like autism, cerebral palsy, or Down syndrome. Not only does it ease the constant worrying about money, In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) benefits in California can help pay for therapies and other treatments, or simply daily expenses that become difficult if you have to take time off or you are unable to work completely. But exactly what is IHSS?
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As a parent of a child with special needs, it’s common to have concerns about your child’s future. You want to ensure your child lives a quality life after you’re gone. If your child can’t work, you also want to make sure his or her expenses are covered. And lastly, you want to find out how to do all this without affecting any government benefits your child receives. That’s’ why creating a financial plan for your child with special needs is so important.
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