IHSS Timesheet, Pay Schedule and Payment Guide for California Providers

California IHSS providers are paid on a twice-monthly schedule through the state’s CMIPS II payroll system (California Management Information Payroll System). To receive payment, providers must submit an accurate timesheet through the IHSS Electronic Services Portal (ESP) at esp.dss.ca.gov or by calling the IHSS Telephone Timesheet System (ETTS) at 1-833-IHSS-EVV (1-833-4477-388). Both the provider and the recipient must sign each timesheet before payment is released. Once approved, payments are processed by Public Partnerships LLC (PPL) and typically arrive via direct deposit within 5–7 business days of timesheet approval.

Understanding the IHSS Pay Period Schedule

IHSS providers are paid twice per month, aligned to the following schedule:

Pay Period	Covers	Timesheet Due
Pay Period 1	1st–15th of the month	15th of the month
Pay Period 2	16th–last day of the month	Last day of the month

Important notes about the schedule:

Timesheets submitted after the deadline are processed in the following pay cycle, which means a two-week payment delay
If the 15th or the last day of the month falls on a weekend or state holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day
Providers should submit timesheets as soon as the pay period ends — do not wait until the deadline
The recipient must also review and sign the timesheet within the same window; a timesheet signed only by the provider will not be processed

IHSS pay dates vary by county, but most providers receive their direct deposit within 5–7 business days after the county processes the approved timesheet. Mailed checks take an additional 3–5 business days.

How to Submit a Timesheet Through the ESP

The IHSS Electronic Services Portal (ESP) at esp.dss.ca.gov is the primary method for submitting timesheets. You must be registered on the ESP before you can submit.

Step-by-step timesheet submission:

Log in at esp.dss.ca.gov with your username and password
Select the recipient you are submitting for (if you care for multiple recipients, each has a separate timesheet)
Enter the hours worked each day during the pay period — enter start time, end time, and the type of service performed for each day worked
Review the total hours to confirm they do not exceed the recipient’s authorized monthly hours
Submit the timesheet — the recipient will receive a notification to review and sign
Once the recipient signs electronically, the timesheet is submitted to the county for processing

If you make an error after submitting: Contact your county IHSS office immediately. Corrections may require a paper amendment form (SOC 2250) and can delay payment for that period.

IHSS Telephone Timesheet System (ETTS)

Providers and recipients who do not have internet access can use the IHSS Telephone Timesheet System (ETTS) to submit and approve timesheets by phone:

ETTS number: 1-833-IHSS-EVV (1-833-447-7388)
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
The system uses a touch-tone menu to guide you through entering daily hours and approving the timesheet
Both the provider and recipient must each call separately to enter their portion of the timesheet

ETTS is particularly useful for live-in providers and recipients who prefer phone-based interactions or have limited digital access.

Electronic Visit Verification (EVV): What It Means for Your Timesheet

Under federal law (21st Century Cures Act), California is required to implement Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) for all IHSS personal care services. EVV electronically confirms the time, location, and type of services provided during each visit.

How EVV affects IHSS timesheet submission in 2026:

When you submit a timesheet through the ESP, the system automatically captures your clock-in and clock-out data
For providers using ETTS, the phone call timestamp and duration serve as the EVV record
You do not need a separate app or device — the ESP and ETTS are the EVV-compliant submission tools
Live-in providers have modified EVV requirements because they reside with the recipient; check with your county IHSS office for your specific requirements

Failure to comply with EVV requirements can cause payment delays or trigger a compliance review from the county. If you receive a notice about EVV non-compliance, contact your county IHSS office promptly.

What Determines Your IHSS Pay Rate

Your hourly IHSS wage is set at the county level through collective bargaining negotiations between SEIU 2015 (the union representing most California IHSS providers) and county governments. Wages vary across California’s 58 counties:

Minimum rate statewide: California’s minimum wage (currently $16.50/hour as of 2025, rising annually)
County-negotiated rates in 2025–2026: Many counties reached wage agreements bringing rates to $18.00–$21.00+/hour; Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Santa Clara counties are among the highest
Overtime pay: 1.5x your regular hourly rate for overtime hours (after 8 hours/day and 40 hours/week for non-live-in providers; after 9 hours/day and 45 hours/week for live-in providers)

How overtime appears on your pay: CMIPS II automatically calculates overtime based on your submitted timesheet hours. If you believe your paycheck did not include correct overtime pay, compare the hours on your timesheet against the payment stub and contact PPL or your county IHSS office.

Common IHSS Timesheet Errors and How to Avoid Them

Payroll errors are the most frequent problem IHSS providers encounter. The following mistakes cause the majority of delayed or incorrect payments:

Hours exceed the recipient’s authorized monthly total: CMIPS II will reject or flag any timesheet where hours exceed the recipient’s current authorization. Always know the recipient’s authorized hours before submitting.
Missing recipient signature: The recipient must independently sign the timesheet. A timesheet signed only by the provider will not be processed. If the recipient is unable to sign (hospitalized, incapacitated), contact the county IHSS office about authorized representative approval.
Incorrect service codes: Each task category (personal care, domestic services, paramedical services, etc.) has a specific service code in the ESP. Entering hours under the wrong code can affect payment and the recipient’s service records.
Submitting after the deadline: Late timesheets are pushed to the next pay cycle. Set calendar reminders for the 15th and last day of each month.
Not recording all days worked: Providers sometimes submit partial timesheets and intend to amend them. Submit complete, accurate timesheets at the end of each pay period — not partial ones.

If your paycheck is incorrect, contact PPL at 1-866-376-7066 (Public Partnerships LLC, the California IHSS fiscal intermediary) to initiate a correction. For disputes that cannot be resolved by PPL, contact your county IHSS office.

Direct Deposit vs. Paper Check

IHSS providers can receive payment by:

Direct deposit: Set up through the ESP or at your county IHSS office during enrollment. Funds are deposited within 5–7 business days of timesheet approval. This is the faster and more reliable option.
Mailed check: Sent to the address on file with CDSS. Allow an additional 3–5 business days beyond the direct deposit window. If checks are consistently late or lost, contact PPL to update your payment preference.

To change your direct deposit information, log in to esp.dss.ca.gov and update your banking details, or contact your county IHSS office. Do not share your ESP login credentials with anyone — including the recipient.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What happens if the recipient refuses to sign the timesheet? A: A timesheet cannot be processed without both signatures. If a recipient refuses to sign a timesheet for hours you genuinely worked, contact your county IHSS office and document the situation in writing. Recipients are not permitted to withhold payment for legitimate care that was actually provided. In serious disputes, the county can intervene to investigate. SEIU 2015 members can also call 1-855-810-1699 for assistance with timesheet and payment disputes.

Q: Can I submit timesheets for hours worked in a previous month? A: Yes, but late timesheets are subject to county review and may require manager approval. CDSS generally allows corrections and late submissions within 90 days of the date the services were provided. Submissions older than 90 days may require special exception approval from the county IHSS office and are not guaranteed to be processed.

Q: How do I get a copy of my IHSS payment history or past timesheets? A: Log in to esp.dss.ca.gov and navigate to your payment history or timesheet archive. The ESP stores records for prior pay periods and allows you to print or download pay stubs. If you need records going back further than what the ESP displays, contact PPL at 1-866-376-7066 or your county IHSS office to request historical payroll documentation.

For the most current IHSS pay schedule, county wage rates, and timesheet submission support, visit unifiedsavers.com — California’s dedicated IHSS resource site. If you have a timesheet dispute, missed payment, or questions about your rights as an IHSS provider, contact SEIU 2015 at 1-855-810-1699. SEIU 2015 represents more than 700,000 IHSS providers across California and can assist with payroll issues, county office disputes, and collective bargaining updates.