By the Unified Savers Editorial Team
This information is based on official California DSS guidelines and is reviewed for accuracy.
SEIU 2015 represents more than 400,000 IHSS home care workers across California — the largest union of home care workers in the United States. Membership is automatic for IHSS providers working in counties covered by SEIU 2015 collective bargaining agreements, and dues are typically deducted from your IHSS paycheck. Benefits include dental and vision coverage, free job training, legal assistance referrals, and wage advocacy that has driven IHSS wage increases across every covered county since 2016.
Who Is SEIU 2015 and What Do They Do
SEIU 2015 stands for the Service Employees International Union, Local 2015. It is California’s largest union and represents workers in long-term home care, including the vast majority of IHSS providers statewide.
Core functions of SEIU 2015:
- Negotiate collective bargaining agreements with individual counties for IHSS wage increases above the state minimum
- Advocate in Sacramento for IHSS funding levels, overtime protections, sick leave rights, and program expansion
- Provide benefit programs to member providers including health, dental, vision, and training
- Handle grievances and workplace issues for individual members
- Run political campaigns for candidates and ballot measures that affect IHSS providers and recipients
SEIU 2015’s advocacy was central to the landmark IHSS overtime and domestic workers’ rights legislation enacted in California. Without collective bargaining pressure from SEIU 2015, many counties would have remained at the state minimum IHSS wage for years longer than they did.
Who Is a Member of SEIU 2015
If you are an IHSS provider working in one of the counties covered by SEIU 2015 — which includes most California counties — you are likely already a member or a covered worker who receives union representation benefits.
How dues work:
- Union dues for SEIU 2015 members are deducted automatically from your IHSS paycheck
- Dues rates vary slightly by county but are typically in the range of 2–3% of gross IHSS wages
- Under the Supreme Court’s 2018 Janus v. AFSCME decision, public sector workers — including IHSS providers — can opt out of paying union dues without losing their jobs
- Opting out means you no longer pay dues, but you also forfeit access to member-only benefits; the union still negotiates wages and working conditions on your behalf regardless
- To check your membership status and current dues amount, call SEIU 2015 member services at 1-855-810-1699
IHSS Provider Benefits Through SEIU 2015
SEIU 2015 offers several direct benefits to member providers. Benefit availability may vary by county and membership status — call member services to confirm what is currently available in your county.
Health and Wellness Benefits
SEIU 2015 Benefit Fund:
SEIU 2015 administers a Benefit Fund that offers participating IHSS providers access to:
- Dental coverage — including preventive care (cleanings, X-rays at no cost) and basic restorative care (fillings, extractions at reduced cost)
- Vision coverage — annual eye exams and an allowance toward frames or contact lenses
- Prescription assistance — help accessing discounted prescription costs through benefit fund partnerships
- Health education resources — online and in-person resources for managing common health conditions relevant to home care workers
Eligibility requirements: Not all IHSS providers automatically qualify for the Benefit Fund — minimum hours thresholds and enrollment periods apply. The threshold is typically based on average monthly authorized hours. Contact the SEIU 2015 Benefit Fund at seiu2015.org or call 1-855-810-1699 to check current eligibility requirements and enrollment windows in your county.
Free Training and Career Development
SEIU 2015 partners with the IHSS Public Authority and California’s Home Care Aide Registry to provide:
- Free training courses for IHSS providers covering core caregiving skills, CPR certification, first aid, fall prevention, and specialized care for recipients with dementia, mobility challenges, or behavioral health needs
- Online and in-person formats available in multiple languages including Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin), Korean, and Armenian
- Training certifications that can strengthen your standing for expanded service authorization and future healthcare employment
- Continuing education on topics like infection control, medication management, and recipient safety
Provider training is available at no cost to IHSS providers in participating counties. The training is particularly valuable for providers caring for recipients with complex medical needs who want to deliver more specialized services and potentially increase their recipients’ authorized hours.
Legal Assistance and Grievance Support
SEIU 2015 provides members with:
- Assistance investigating and filing workplace grievances related to IHSS wages, overtime calculation errors, or timesheet disputes with the county
- Referrals to immigration legal services for undocumented or mixed-status provider families navigating IHSS enrollment or public charge concerns
- Information and advocacy support for providers who believe they have been treated unfairly by their county IHSS office
If you believe your IHSS wages are being calculated incorrectly, you were retaliated against for union activity, or you have a dispute with your county IHSS office, SEIU 2015 member services (1-855-810-1699) is the first call to make.
How SEIU 2015 Affects IHSS Wages in Your County
The most financially significant benefit of SEIU 2015 membership is higher IHSS wages negotiated through collective bargaining. The state sets a minimum IHSS wage, but SEIU 2015 negotiates county-by-county agreements that frequently push wages substantially above that minimum.
Examples of county IHSS wages driven by SEIU 2015 bargaining (2026 rates):
- Los Angeles County: $19.10/hour
- San Francisco County: $21.00+/hour
- Alameda County: $20.00+/hour
- Sacramento County: $18.50+/hour
- San Diego County: $18.50+/hour
- Fresno County: $17.50+/hour
Over a full work year at 40 hours per week, a $2/hour wage increase negotiated by SEIU 2015 represents more than $4,000 in additional annual income. Collective bargaining has driven cumulative IHSS wage increases of 40–80% in many California counties over the past decade — increases that happen because SEIU 2015 negotiates at the county level, not just the state level.
How county contracts work: Each county SEIU 2015 covers has its own collective bargaining agreement with a specific wage schedule and renewal timeline. When contracts come up for renewal, SEIU 2015 and county representatives negotiate new wage rates. Members are informed of negotiations and can attend informational meetings or actions to support their county’s contract campaign.
How to Contact SEIU 2015 and Access Your Benefits
Member Services Line: 1-855-810-1699 (Monday–Friday, standard business hours)
Website: seiu2015.org
Local offices: SEIU 2015 has regional offices throughout California; your county may have a local representative who handles provider issues directly
Key actions to take as a new IHSS provider:
- Call member services to confirm your membership status and which county agreement covers you
- Ask about dental and vision benefit enrollment — find out if you meet the current hours threshold
- Ask about upcoming free training opportunities in your area and language
- Update your contact information with SEIU 2015 so you receive contract negotiation updates, member communications, and wage increase announcements for your county
FAQ
Are IHSS providers required to join SEIU 2015?
No. Following the 2018 Janus v. AFSCME Supreme Court decision, public sector workers — including IHSS providers — cannot be required to join a union or pay dues as a condition of employment. However, SEIU 2015 continues to represent all IHSS providers in covered counties in collective bargaining regardless of membership status, and opting out means losing access to member-only benefits while still benefiting from the wages and protections the union negotiates.
What counties does SEIU 2015 represent?
SEIU 2015 has collective bargaining agreements in most California counties. A small number of counties have different union representation for IHSS providers or operate under different arrangements. Call 1-855-810-1699 to confirm coverage and the specific collective bargaining agreement that applies in your county.
How do I opt out of SEIU 2015 dues?
Contact SEIU 2015 directly at 1-855-810-1699 during their designated opt-out window — which typically follows contract renewal periods — to request a dues deduction cancellation. Be aware that opting out immediately affects your access to member benefits including the Benefit Fund, training, and grievance assistance. Your payroll change may take one to two pay periods to process after submission.
For more IHSS provider resources including wage guides, timesheet help, and rights information, visit UnifiedSavers.com — your trusted guide to IHSS in California.
Related guides: IHSS Pay Rates by County 2026 · IHSS Caregiver Rights · IHSS Overtime Rules California · IHSS Paid Sick Leave Rights · SB 525 IHSS Wage Increases 2026 · SEIU 2015 County Contract Wins 2026