By the Unified Savers Editorial Team
This information is based on SEIU 2015 public disclosures, county contracts, and California DLSE guidelines. For your specific county’s benefits, contact SEIU 2015 directly at 1-866-SEIU-2015.
SEIU 2015 is the union that represents over 400,000 IHSS home care workers across California. Through collective bargaining, SEIU 2015 has secured higher hourly wages, healthcare coverage, paid sick leave, free job training, and legal protections for IHSS providers in 42 of California’s 58 counties. If you are an IHSS provider, you are entitled to these benefits regardless of whether you are a dues-paying union member — though some benefits require active enrollment.
What Is SEIU 2015 and Who Does It Represent?
SEIU 2015 — the Service Employees International Union Local 2015 — is the largest home care union in the United States. It was formed in 2015 through a merger of SEIU United Long Term Care Workers (ULTCW) and SEIU Healthcare NW Training Partnership.
SEIU 2015 negotiates directly with Public Authorities and county governments on behalf of IHSS providers. In most California counties, IHSS workers are represented employees covered by a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the union and the county. The specific wages, benefits, and protections you receive depend on the contract in your county.
Key facts about SEIU 2015:
- Represents over 400,000 IHSS workers statewide
- Holds active contracts in 42 California counties
- Negotiates wages, health benefits, training funds, and grievance procedures
- County Public Authorities act as the employer of record for IHSS providers
If you work as an IHSS provider in a county with a union contract, you are a “bargaining unit member” and the contract terms apply to you. You can choose whether to join as a dues-paying member or opt out, but the negotiated wages and working conditions apply either way.
Wage Protections and Scheduled Increases
The most direct benefit SEIU 2015 provides is negotiated wage floors — minimum hourly rates above the state minimum wage. Through collective bargaining and state legislation like SB 525, IHSS wages have increased significantly over the past several years.
How wage negotiation works:
- SEIU 2015 negotiates minimum pay rates with each county separately
- County wage rates must meet or exceed state IHSS minimum wage floors
- Wage increases are often scheduled in multi-year steps as part of multi-year MOUs
- Some counties have achieved rates well above the state floor through local negotiations
Current wage landscape (2026):
- The state IHSS minimum wage floor is currently tied to California’s general minimum wage schedule
- Many counties now pay $18–$21 per hour for IHSS services
- High-cost counties like San Francisco, Santa Clara, and Los Angeles have negotiated rates above $20/hour
- Check the IHSS Wage Tracker on Unified Savers for your county’s current rate
If your county recently signed a new MOU, wage increases may be retroactive or phased in on specific dates. Contact your county IHSS office or SEIU 2015 to confirm when your next increase takes effect.
Healthcare Benefits for IHSS Providers
One of the most valuable SEIU 2015 achievements is securing healthcare coverage for eligible IHSS workers. Health benefits are funded through the IHSS Public Authority Health Benefits Program, which operates in many counties.
Who qualifies for IHSS health benefits:
- Providers who work a minimum number of authorized hours per month (typically 20–80 hours depending on the county program)
- Providers enrolled in counties that participate in the health benefits program
- Hours are calculated monthly — eligibility can change if authorized hours decrease
What the health benefits typically cover:
- Medical coverage through Western Health Advantage or other regional carriers
- Dental and vision plans (in participating counties)
- Coverage can extend to eligible dependents in some programs
- Enrollment is voluntary — providers must actively enroll to receive coverage
To enroll or check your eligibility, contact the IHSS Public Authority in your county or call SEIU 2015 at 1-866-SEIU-2015. Open enrollment periods apply, and new providers generally have a limited window to enroll when first eligible.
Paid Sick Leave Rights
Under California AB 1522 (the Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act) and subsequent legislation, IHSS providers are entitled to paid sick leave. SEIU 2015 negotiated protections that go beyond the state minimum in many counties.
What you are entitled to:
- State minimum: Up to 5 days (40 hours) of paid sick leave per year, accrued at 1 hour per 30 hours worked
- Union-negotiated: Some counties have secured enhanced sick leave accrual rates or higher maximum banks
- You can use paid sick leave for your own illness, a family member’s illness, or appointments related to domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking
Important rules:
- You cannot be terminated or disciplined for using legally protected sick leave
- You must notify your recipient in advance when possible, or as soon as practicable for unexpected illness
- Sick leave is tracked through your IHSS timesheet system — work with your county to ensure it is properly recorded
If you believe your sick leave rights have been violated, contact SEIU 2015’s member assistance line immediately.
Free Job Training and Certification Programs
SEIU 2015 operates and funds multiple training programs available to IHSS providers at no cost. These programs improve care quality and can lead to wage increases or career advancement.
Available training programs:
- IHSS Orientation Training: Required for new providers; covers basic caregiving skills, rights, and responsibilities
- In-Home Care Skills Training: Advanced training in personal care, transfers, safety, and health monitoring
- Dementia Care Certification: Specialized training for providers caring for recipients with dementia — can qualify for enhanced pay rates in some counties
- CPR and First Aid: Available at no cost through SEIU 2015 training partnerships
- Career Pathway Programs: Connections to CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) training and other healthcare career ladders
To enroll in training, visit the SEIU 2015 website or call 1-866-SEIU-2015. Training is available in multiple languages and some programs offer childcare stipends or transportation reimbursement for participants.
Grievance Procedures and Legal Representation
When providers face disputes with their county IHSS program — including wrongful wage underpayments, retaliation, or improper termination — SEIU 2015 provides representation through its formal grievance process.
When you can file a grievance:
- You were not paid correctly for authorized hours worked
- Your county failed to follow the terms of the MOU (union contract)
- You were retaliated against for union activity or exercising your rights
- You were denied benefits you are entitled to under the contract
How the process works:
- Contact your SEIU 2015 member representative to report the issue
- The union reviews the situation and determines if a contract violation occurred
- A formal grievance is filed with the county if appropriate
- The union represents you through arbitration if the grievance is not resolved at lower steps
This process is available to all bargaining unit members. Non-member providers may have limited access to grievance representation — another reason to consider union membership.
FAQ
Do I have to join SEIU 2015 to receive union-negotiated wages? No. The wages and working conditions negotiated by SEIU 2015 apply to all IHSS providers in the bargaining unit, whether or not you pay dues. Union membership is voluntary under California law. However, some specific programs (like certain training scholarships or legal representation for grievances) may require active membership.
How do I find out what benefits my county’s contract includes? Contact SEIU 2015 at 1-866-SEIU-2015 or visit seiu2015.org. You can also request a copy of your county’s current MOU from your county Public Authority. County-specific information is often available in Spanish and other languages.
What if my county doesn’t have a SEIU 2015 contract? Sixteen California counties currently do not have a SEIU 2015 collective bargaining agreement. In those counties, IHSS providers are still protected by state law (minimum wage, sick leave, overtime), but there is no negotiated contract providing additional benefits. Providers in non-union counties can still organize — contact SEIU 2015 to learn about unionization efforts in your area.
Additional Resources on Unified Savers:
- IHSS Wage Tracker: All 58 California Counties — Check your county’s current hourly pay rate
- IHSS Caregiver Rights in California — Know your full rights as a provider
- IHSS Sick Leave Rights: California Provider Guide — Detailed guide to your paid sick leave entitlements
- County IHSS Wage Increases: July 2026 Update — Current wage rates for all 58 California counties
- SEIU 2015 $25 Wage Campaign: July 2026 Update — Latest on the statewide wage floor campaign
- Free IHSS Benefits Eligibility Checker — See what you qualify for in 3 questions