IHSS Electronic Timesheets: How to Submit Hours Using the ESP

Q: How to Set Up ESP Access (First-Time Providers)

Step 1 — Receive your Enrollment Confirmation Letter. Within 2–3 weeks of completing your IHSS provider enrollment, CDSS mails an Enrollment Confirmation Letter with your provider ID number. This number is required for ESP registration.

By the Unified Savers Editorial Team

This information is based on official California DSS guidelines and is reviewed for accuracy. For case-specific legal advice, consult a qualified attorney or your local legal aid organization.

IHSS providers in California are required to submit hours worked through the Electronic Services Portal (ESP) at etimesheets.ihss.ca.gov or by calling TeleCare at 844-576-5445 — the state’s Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) system. Paper timesheets have been phased out in most counties as of 2026. Providers who submit electronically are paid within 3–4 business days of approval via direct deposit, compared to 7–14 business days for paper check processing.

What Is the IHSS Electronic Timesheet System?

California implemented the Electronic Services Portal (ESP) and TeleCare under the federal 21st Century Cures Act’s Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) requirements. EVV tracks when, where, and what personal care services are delivered in real time.

Two methods to submit IHSS hours electronically:

ESP (Electronic Services Portal): An online portal at etimesheets.ihss.ca.gov where providers log in to record and submit hours. Accessible from any computer, tablet, or smartphone with internet access.
TeleCare (automated phone system): Call 844-576-5445 to submit hours by phone. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You enter your provider ID, the recipient’s case number, and hours worked using your phone keypad — no internet required.

Both methods require both the provider and the recipient to enter a personal 4-digit PIN to authorize each timesheet. Neither party’s PIN should be shared with the other.

How to Set Up ESP Access (First-Time Providers)

Step 1 — Receive your Enrollment Confirmation Letter. Within 2–3 weeks of completing your IHSS provider enrollment, CDSS mails an Enrollment Confirmation Letter with your provider ID number. This number is required for ESP registration.

Step 2 — Create your ESP account:

Go to etimesheets.ihss.ca.gov
Click “Register” and enter your provider ID, Social Security Number, and date of birth
Create a username and password
Verify your email address

Step 3 — Set up your recipient connection:

After logging in, your assigned recipient(s) will appear automatically based on your county enrollment
You and the recipient each create a separate 4-digit PIN — the provider PIN is set during ESP registration; the recipient PIN is created when the recipient registers their own ESP account

Step 4 — Confirm setup before your first pay period:

Navigate to “My Timesheets” in the portal
Verify your recipient appears and that you can enter hours
Contact your county IHSS office if the recipient is not showing in your account

If you have trouble creating an account or your provider ID is not recognized, contact the IHSS Service Desk at 1-866-376-7066, Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM.

How to Submit Hours on the ESP Portal

IHSS uses semi-monthly pay periods: the 1st through the 15th and the 16th through the last day of each month. Timesheets must be submitted by midnight on the last day of the pay period.

During the pay period:

Log in to etimesheets.ihss.ca.gov
Click your recipient’s name under “My Timesheets”
Enter the hours worked for each calendar day — hours can be entered in 15-minute increments (e.g., 3 hours and 45 minutes = 3.75)
Save entries as a draft; you can edit them any time before final submission

At the end of the pay period:

Review all hours carefully against your own records
Click “Submit Timesheet” and enter your provider 4-digit PIN
The recipient logs into their own ESP account separately and approves by entering their 4-digit recipient PIN
Once both PINs are entered, the timesheet is locked and submitted to the county for payment processing

Payment timing after both PINs submitted:

Direct deposit: 3–4 business days
Paper check: 7–10 business days

How to Submit Hours by TeleCare (Phone System)

TeleCare is designed for providers and recipients without reliable internet access.

Provider submission — Call 844-576-5445:

Follow the automated prompts
Enter your provider ID number
Enter the recipient’s case number
Enter hours worked for each day of the pay period (the system walks through each day)
Enter your 4-digit provider PIN to sign the timesheet

Recipient approval — Separate call required: The recipient must also call 844-576-5445 separately and follow prompts to enter their recipient PIN to approve. Both calls are independent.

TeleCare is available 24/7, but timesheet submission windows still follow pay period deadlines. After a pay period closes, TeleCare will not accept entries — you must contact your county IHSS office for a late timesheet.

Common ESP and EVV Problems

“Recipient not found” or “no active case” error The case may not yet be active in the ESP system, or you may not be the currently authorized provider. Contact your county IHSS office to confirm your authorization is recorded.

Forgotten or locked PIN Providers call 1-866-376-7066 to reset their PIN. Recipients contact their county IHSS social worker for a PIN reset — they cannot reset it through the provider’s Service Desk line.

Submitted hours were rejected Common reasons: hours exceeded your authorized monthly limit; the service type entered doesn’t match what is authorized; or the timesheet was submitted outside the pay period window. Your county will send a Notice of Action explaining the rejection and how to correct it.

Recipient is unable to submit their PIN If a recipient is temporarily unable to approve timesheets due to medical incapacity, contact the county IHSS office. In some circumstances, a legally authorized representative (such as a Public Guardian or conservator) may approve on the recipient’s behalf. A recipient cannot pre-authorize a provider to submit the recipient PIN.

Exceptions to the Electronic Timesheet Requirement

As of 2026, electronic timesheet submission is required for most IHSS providers statewide. However, limited exceptions exist:

Disability-related technology access barriers: Providers or recipients who cannot use ESP or TeleCare due to a disability may request a paper timesheet accommodation from their county IHSS office
No phone or internet access: Contact your county office — they will provide guidance on available alternatives
Declared emergencies: During state or county-declared emergencies, CDSS may temporarily suspend EVV requirements in affected areas

Requests for exceptions should be submitted in writing to your county IHSS office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What happens if I forget to submit my timesheet by the deadline? Late timesheets are processed as retroactive payments through your county IHSS office. You must contact the county, complete a late timesheet form, and have it approved by the county. Payment for late timesheets typically takes 4–8 additional weeks. Submit on time during every pay period — there is no grace period.

Q: Can a recipient submit both the provider PIN and the recipient PIN? No. The provider and recipient PINs must be entered separately by each person. A provider submitting the recipient’s PIN — or vice versa — constitutes timesheet fraud and can result in provider disqualification and repayment demands from CDSS.

Q: Can I submit hours for multiple IHSS recipients on one ESP account? Yes. If you are an authorized provider for more than one IHSS recipient, all active cases will appear under your single ESP provider account. You submit a separate timesheet for each recipient each pay period.

For more guides on IHSS payment, rights, and enrollment, visit Unified Savers — California’s trusted resource for IHSS recipients and caregivers.