IHSS Timesheet Codes Explained: What Each Code Means
When you submit your IHSS timesheet in ESP, the hours you enter are tied to specific service codes. These codes tell the state exactly what type of care you provided. Using the wrong code is one of the most common reasons timesheets are rejected.
Why Codes Matter
IHSS authorizes different services separately — domestic services, personal care, paramedical services, and others all have different authorization levels. The code you use must match an authorized service in the recipient's care plan. If you submit hours under a service that was not authorized, the timesheet will be rejected.
Common IHSS Service Codes
While exact codes may vary slightly by county and system version, here are the standard categories:
Domestic Services (Code: DOM or similar)
- Housecleaning, laundry, meal preparation, shopping
- These are the most common IHSS services
- Subject to their own hour authorization limits
Personal Care Services (Code: PCS or similar)
- Bathing, grooming, dressing, feeding, oral hygiene
- Bowel and bladder care, repositioning
- Must be authorized at higher medical necessity levels
Paramedical Services (Code: PAR or similar)
- Assistance with prescribed medications
- Medical procedures a licensed professional has trained you to perform
- Requires specific authorization from the social worker and often a physician statement
Accompaniment Services
- Driving or accompanying the recipient to medical appointments
- Must be separately authorized; mileage reimbursement may be available
Protective Supervision (Code: PSUP or similar)
- For recipients who cannot be left alone safely due to cognitive impairment
- Requires specific assessment and authorization
- Often authorized for large blocks of time
Travel Time (Code: TT or similar)
- Time spent traveling between recipients on the same workday
- Only for providers with multiple recipients
How to Know Which Code to Use
Your county social worker will tell you which services are authorized in the recipient's care plan. The ESP system will also only show you the codes that are authorized for that recipient. If a service you performed is not showing as an option, contact your county IHSS office — the recipient's care plan may need to be updated.
What to Do If a Code Is Wrong
If you submitted under the wrong code and the timesheet was already paid, contact your county payroll office to request a correction. Do not simply re-submit — this can create duplicate payment issues.