Help with everyday care
LA County IHSS handles applications and assessments. Call 888-944-4477.
Ask: What is the application process, and who completes the health-care certification?
Help paying for care
Know who can answer each payment question
Start with the kind of help you are trying to pay for. Public programs, caregiver support, Medicare or insurance, and private pay answer different questions.
Choose the question you need answered first
A break for the family caregiver
Start with local aging and caregiver resources. Call 800-510-2020.
Ask: Which program serves this address, what is available and is there a wait?
Medical services and coverage
Use Medicare, your health plan or the long-term-care insurer.
Ask: Which service is covered, what approval is needed and what remains our responsibility?
A private-pay budget
Use a written provider quote alongside the hours you want covered.
Ask: What is the complete price including minimums, extra fees and cancellation terms?
These are starting points, not eligibility decisions. City and County programs may serve different addresses. Verify current rules with the official sources below.
Public-program help with everyday care
IHSS may help eligible people receive assistance at home. Los Angeles County handles applications and assessment; this site cannot predict eligibility or hours. Call LA County DPSS IHSS at 888-944-4477 and ask what to submit, who must provide health-care certification, how the assessment works and what remains unconfirmed.
Support for the family caregiver
The Family Caregiver Support Program can be a starting point for information, respite and local caregiver resources, depending on current eligibility and availability. Call 800-510-2020 and ask which program serves the home address, what support is currently open and whether there is a wait.
Medicare and insurance
Medicare home health has clinical eligibility and coverage rules and is not the same as open-ended nonmedical custodial care. Ask Medicare, the health plan or long-term-care insurer what service definition applies, what authorization is required, which provider network applies and what is not covered.
Private pay
Private-pay arrangements use prices and terms supplied by the provider. Ask for hourly rates, minimum visits, overtime, holidays, transportation, deposits, cancellation rules and the process for changing hours. Use the cost planner only to check arithmetic on a scenario you choose.
Your next practical step
Try a private-pay cost exampleUse just the parts that help. No account, sign-up or care request is needed.
Official starting points
Go straight to the source.
Check current program details and records with the responsible organization.
California Department of Social Services — IHSS overview
- Limit
- General program information, not an eligibility decision. The county handles applications and assessment.
Service area, audience and review date
- Jurisdiction
- California
- For
- People exploring the In-Home Supportive Services program
- Reviewed
- November 1, 2026
Los Angeles County DPSS — IHSS
- Limit
- The County determines eligibility and authorized services. This site cannot predict an outcome.
Service area, audience and review date
- Jurisdiction
- Los Angeles County
- For
- LA County residents who want application and process details
- Reviewed
- November 1, 2026
Medicare — Home health services coverage
- Limit
- Coverage depends on current program rules and individual circumstances. Confirm with Medicare and the treating team.
Service area, audience and review date
- Jurisdiction
- United States federal Medicare program
- For
- People checking Medicare home-health rules and questions
- Reviewed
- November 1, 2026
Talk with LA Home Care Support
Discuss everyday nonmedical help in Los Angeles with our team. We will confirm the service area, arrangements and availability directly. Online requests are not open yet.
Prepare a home-care callback requestPlanner answers stay on your page and are not transferred to the request form.