DPSS ePolicy

Converted document, no content change

Revision of existing policy and/or form(s).

What changed?

Clarifies Social Security Number (SSN) and Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) requirement.

Note: Changes are shown highlighted in grey throughout the document.

All In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), Personal Care Services Program (PCSP), IHSS Plus Option (IPO), and Community First Choice Option (CFCO) applicants/recipients must have a valid SSN or show proof of an application for an SSN to apply for services and must have a valid SSN to receive services.

IHSS Residual (IHSS-R) applicants/recipients unable to obtain an SSN due to their immigration status must apply for an ITIN from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for federal tax purposes. IHSS-R applicants/recipients may provide the ITIN, if available, to IHSS staff in lieu of an SSN. They must meet all other IHSS requirements to receive IHSS services.

Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations, Section 50168 and 50187, requires all beneficiaries of Medi-Cal services to have a valid SSN or show proof of an application for an SSN in order to receive services if:
 

1. They are requesting or already have Medi-Cal benefits; and
   
   
2. They declare they are a citizen or national of the United States, or that they have satisfactory immigration status.

Since IHSS is a benefit of the Medi-Cal Program, all recipients of IHSS receiving full federal participation must comply with the State requirement.

Assembly Bill (AB) 135 Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) added subsection (h) to WIC Section 12300 to clarify that any person who is eligible for State-only funded full scope Medi-Cal benefits under Chapter 7, commencing with Section 14000, and who meets all other applicable eligibility criteria for receiving services under this article, shall be eligible for services available under this article. As such, all IHSS applicants/recipients receiving State-only funded full scope Medi-Cal benefits shall be assessed under the IHSS-R Program regardless of their immigration status.

Case Management, Information and Payrolling System Version 2 (CMIPS) was programmed with the ability to take an IHSS application without entering an SSN or ITIN, pending the receipt of the SSN/ITIN. An individual receiving State-only funded full scope Medi-Cal benefits should apply for an ITIN. Failure to provide the ITIN will not negatively affect completing the assessment and authorizing services if otherwise eligible. 

ITIN

A nine-digit number issued by the IRS to individuals who are required, for federal tax purposes, to have a United States taxpayer identification number but do not have and are not eligible to obtain an SSN.

While a valid SSN/ITIN is not required at the time of application, applicants shall provide proof of a SSN/ITIN application at the initial home visit; however, if a valid SSN/ITIN is not provided at the initial home visit, the assessment to determine authorization of services may proceed.

Any delays in obtaining an SSN or ITIN shall not result in the delay or termination of IHSS services.

 Category and Acceptable Documents

Valid SSN

1. Original Social Security Card (SSC); or
   
   
2. Stamped letter from the Social Security Administration (SSA) verifying applicant’s/recipient’s SSN.

Application for SSN

1. Form SSA 5028, Evidence of Application for SSN, completed by the SSA;
   
   
2. MC 194, Social Security Administration Referral Notice, completed and stamped by the SSA; or
   
   
3. Stamped documentation from the SSA that an application for an SSN has been submitted.