To request an IHSS reassessment for more authorized hours, contact your county IHSS social worker by phone or in writing and explain that your care needs have changed. A social worker will schedule a home visit, evaluate your functional limitations using the Uniform Assessment Tool (UAT), and issue a new SOC 2 Notice of Action with revised authorized hours. The process typically takes 30–60 days. If you are denied, you have the right to appeal.
When You Can Request a Reassessment
IHSS recipients are automatically reassessed every 12 months, but you do not have to wait. You can request an out-of-cycle reassessment any time your care needs increase, including:
- A new diagnosis or worsening of an existing medical condition
- Recent hospitalization or surgery that has left you with reduced functional ability
- A fall or injury that affects your mobility, balance, or ability to perform daily tasks
- A change in mental health status, including new or worsening depression, anxiety, dementia, or other cognitive conditions
- Loss of an informal support, such as a family member who previously helped with care but is no longer able to do so
- A physician’s recommendation for increased care or assistance with new tasks
You do not need a physician referral to request a reassessment. A phone call or written request to your county IHSS office is sufficient to initiate the process.
How to Contact Your County IHSS Office
Every county in California administers its own IHSS program, so contact details vary. To find your county IHSS office, visit cdss.ca.gov or call CDSS at 1-844-CDSS-INFO (1-844-237-4636). When you call:
- Have your IHSS case number ready (it appears on your SOC 2 Notice of Action)
- Ask to speak with your assigned social worker by name — calling them directly speeds up scheduling
- Follow up in writing (letter or email) so there is a dated record of your request
If you cannot reach your social worker, ask to speak with their supervisor or contact your county’s IHSS Public Authority, which advocates for recipients and can help escalate the request.
How to Prepare for the Reassessment Visit
Preparation is the most important factor in a successful reassessment. Your goal is to give the social worker a clear, detailed picture of how your condition affects your daily functioning.
Document your care tasks in advance. Write down every task you need help with and how long each one takes. Do not minimize your limitations. Tasks that IHSS covers include:
- Personal care (bathing, grooming, dressing, oral hygiene)
- Bowel and bladder care
- Meal preparation and cleanup
- Laundry and housecleaning
- Ambulation and transfers (help moving around or getting in and out of chairs/beds)
- Accompaniment to medical appointments
- Paramedical services (such as medication reminders or wound care)
- Protective supervision (for recipients with cognitive or mental health conditions)
Gather supporting documentation. Bring recent medical records or a doctor’s letter describing your diagnoses and functional limitations, documentation of hospitalizations or ER visits, and a written log of how long daily care tasks actually take.
Be honest and detailed during the visit. The social worker uses the Uniform Assessment Tool (UAT), a standardized CDSS form that scores your ability to perform specific tasks on a scale from fully independent to fully dependent. Answer based on your worst or most typical day — not your best day. If a task sometimes takes longer due to fatigue or pain, say so.
What Happens During and After the Assessment
The social worker will visit your home, ask detailed questions about your functional abilities, and complete the UAT. Some counties conduct assessments by phone or video, though in-person visits generally produce more accurate results.
After the visit, the social worker uses UAT scores and IHSS time standards to calculate your authorized hours by task category. Social workers can adjust the standard time estimates if you provide documentation showing your care actually takes longer.
The SOC 2 Notice of Action: Within approximately 30–60 days of your request, you will receive a SOC 2 Notice of Action in the mail. This document states:
- Your new total authorized hours per month
- A breakdown by task category
- The effective date of the new authorization
- Your right to appeal if you disagree with the decision
Keep all SOC 2 notices — they are the official record of your authorized hours and are essential if you need to file an appeal.
What to Do If Your Hours Are Denied or Insufficient
If the reassessment results in fewer hours than you need — or if your request for increased hours is denied — you have the right to appeal through the California fair hearing process.
File an appeal within 90 days. Request a state fair hearing within 90 days of the date on your SOC 2 by calling the Fair Hearing line at 1-800-952-5253 or submitting a written request to your county IHSS office. Ask for “aid paid pending” at the time you file if you want your current authorization to remain in place while the appeal is pending.
Prepare your case. Bring the documentation you gathered for the assessment visit. Letters from your doctor or therapist that directly address your functional limitations — and a written statement from your provider describing how long care tasks actually take — are the most persuasive forms of evidence.
Get help if you need it. SEIU 2015 provides advocacy resources for recipients. Legal aid organizations in your county may represent you at a fair hearing at no cost if you qualify by income. For a full guide on the hearing process, see our separate article on how to win an IHSS fair hearing at unifiedsavers.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does a reassessment take from start to finish? A: The social worker typically schedules the home visit within 2–4 weeks of your request. The county then has up to 30 days to issue a revised SOC 2 Notice of Action. The full process usually takes 30–60 days total.
Q: Will requesting a reassessment put my current hours at risk? A: It can. A reassessment evaluates your current needs — if your condition has improved, hours could be reduced. To protect yourself, document your needs thoroughly and bring supporting medical records. If your hours are reduced after a reassessment, you can appeal and request “aid paid pending” to keep your current authorization unchanged while the appeal is in process.
Q: Can my IHSS provider request a reassessment on my behalf? A: Your provider can assist you in making the request, but the formal request must come from you (the recipient) or your authorized representative — a family member, conservator, or legal representative. Providers cannot file reassessment requests or appeals on their own.
A reassessment is your most direct tool for making sure your IHSS authorization reflects your actual care needs. With the right documentation and preparation, many recipients successfully obtain the additional hours they need. For more IHSS program guidance, wage news, and policy updates, visit Unified Savers. For program questions, call CDSS at 1-844-237-4636 or the Fair Hearing line at 1-800-952-5253.