By the Unified Savers Editorial Team
IHSS electronic timesheet rules are established by CDSS. Counties may have slightly different enrollment procedures. Contact your county IHSS office or SEIU 2015 for county-specific guidance.
IHSS providers in California are required to submit timesheets electronically through the Electronic Services Portal (ESP) at etimesheets.ihss.ca.gov. The process takes about 5 minutes per timesheet: log in, select the pay period, enter your hours by day and task, have your recipient review and approve the timesheet online (or by phone via the Telephone Timesheet System), and submit. Timesheets are due by midnight on the last day of each pay period. Late submission delays your paycheck by one full pay cycle.
Since California moved IHSS to mandatory electronic timesheets, providers who submit on time consistently get paid faster and with fewer errors than those who still rely on paper. This guide walks you through every step of the process — from first-time setup to handling the most common submission problems.
Setting Up the IHSS Electronic Services Portal (ESP)
Before you can submit electronic timesheets, both you and your recipient need to register for the Electronic Services Portal. Here is how:
Step 1: Go to the ESP website Visit etimesheets.ihss.ca.gov. The site works on any device with a web browser, including smartphones and tablets.
Step 2: Create your provider account Click “Register” and select “Provider.” You will need:
- Your name as it appears on your IHSS provider paperwork
- Your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
- Your IHSS provider number (found on your IHSS Notice of Action or payment stubs)
- A valid email address
- A phone number
Create a secure username and password. Write them down and keep them somewhere safe — account recovery requires the email address you registered with.
Step 3: Your recipient registers too Your IHSS recipient also needs to register for ESP so they can approve your timesheets online. They register the same way but select “Recipient” during registration. They will need their own name, Social Security Number, case number, and email address.
Alternative — Telephone Timesheet System (TTS): If your recipient cannot use a computer or smartphone, they can approve timesheets by phone at 1-833-DIAL-EVV (1-833-342-5388). The provider submits the timesheet online; the recipient calls TTS to approve. Both must be enrolled in the appropriate system.
Step 4: Link your accounts After registration, your recipient must “link” your provider account to their case. This is usually done by the county IHSS office when you are enrolled as a provider — if the link doesn’t happen automatically, contact your county IHSS office with both your provider number and the recipient’s case number.
How to Submit an IHSS Electronic Timesheet
Once your account is active and linked, the timesheet submission process is the same every pay period:
Step 1: Log in to ESP Go to etimesheets.ihss.ca.gov and log in with your username and password. If you forgot your password, use the “Forgot Password” link — it sends a reset link to your registered email.
Step 2: Select the pay period From your dashboard, select the current open pay period. IHSS pay periods run twice monthly — typically the 1st–15th and 16th–end of month, with exact dates varying slightly by county. You will see the available pay periods in a dropdown menu. Select the correct one.
Step 3: Enter your hours
For each day you worked:
- Click on the date
- Enter the start time and end time of your work (or total hours if your county uses a simplified entry)
- Select the service type if prompted (domestic, personal care, etc.)
Important accuracy tips:
- Enter hours based on what you actually worked, which must match what the recipient authorizes
- You cannot enter hours beyond the recipient’s authorized maximum for the pay period
- If you accidentally worked a day you did not enter, you can add or correct entries before submitting — but not after recipient approval
Step 4: Review and save Review the total hours for the pay period against your records. The ESP shows a running total. Save your progress — you do not need to submit all at once; you can enter hours daily and submit at the end of the pay period.
Step 5: Submit for recipient approval When your entries are complete, click “Submit for Recipient Review.” The recipient receives a notification (email or text, depending on their preferences) that a timesheet is waiting for their approval.
Step 6: Recipient approves Your recipient logs into ESP and reviews your entries. They can approve, reject, or modify the timesheet. If they approve, the timesheet moves to the county for processing. If they have corrections, they reject it and you can modify and resubmit.
Step 7: Submission is complete Once approved and submitted by the deadline, your payment is processed on the next scheduled payday. Payments are made by direct deposit (if enrolled) or by paper check mailed to your address on file.
Pay Schedules and Submission Deadlines
Missing the submission deadline delays your payment by a full pay cycle — typically 2 weeks. Here are the typical deadlines and payment timelines:
Typical IHSS timesheet schedule:
- Pay period 1: 1st–15th of the month | Deadline: midnight on the 15th | Payday: approximately 5–7 business days after deadline
- Pay period 2: 16th–end of month | Deadline: midnight on the last day of the month | Payday: approximately 5–7 business days after deadline
Exact dates vary by county. Download the IHSS pay schedule from your county IHSS website or request one from your IHSS social worker at the start of each year. Some counties post updated pay calendars in January.
If you miss a deadline: Contact your county IHSS office immediately. In some cases, late timesheets can still be processed in the next cycle with documentation explaining the delay. Repeated late submissions may result in payment delays without recourse.
Common ESP Problems and How to Fix Them
Problem: Forgot my password / can’t log in Use the “Forgot Password” function on the ESP login page. If you no longer have access to your registered email address, contact CDSS or your county IHSS office to reset your account with identity verification.
Problem: Cannot find my recipient in the system This usually means the provider-recipient link has not been set up or has been broken. Contact your county IHSS office with your provider number and the recipient’s case number. Ask them to confirm the link is established in the system.
Problem: Timesheet shows “pending” for more than 3 days If the recipient has not approved the timesheet, follow up with them directly. If the recipient approved but the status still shows pending, contact your county IHSS payroll department to confirm it was received in the system.
Problem: Hours exceed authorized limit The ESP will prevent submission of hours beyond the recipient’s authorized monthly maximum. If the recipient genuinely needed more hours than authorized, contact the IHSS social worker to discuss a reassessment. Do not attempt to split or misreport hours across pay periods to circumvent the limit.
Problem: Made an error after recipient approval Contact your county IHSS office immediately. Corrections after approval require county involvement and can delay payment. Going forward, double-check all entries before sending for recipient approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do both the provider and recipient need a computer to use electronic timesheets? A: The provider needs online access to submit timesheets via ESP. The recipient can approve either online (via ESP) or by phone (via the Telephone Timesheet System at 1-833-342-5388). If the provider also lacks internet access, ask your county IHSS office about available accommodations — some counties have computer access at IHSS offices or can help connect providers with community resources.
Q: What happens if the recipient is hospitalized and cannot approve timesheets? A: If a recipient is temporarily unable to approve timesheets due to hospitalization or incapacitation, notify your county IHSS office immediately. The county has procedures for alternate approval in documented emergency situations. A legally authorized representative (such as a parent, legal guardian, or conservator) may be able to approve timesheets on the recipient’s behalf. Do not submit timesheets without proper approval — it can result in payment problems and potential fraud flags.
Q: Can I use the ESP app on my phone? A: The ESP website (etimesheets.ihss.ca.gov) is mobile-responsive and can be used on smartphones and tablets through any web browser. As of 2026, CDSS has not released a standalone mobile app, but the mobile website functions well for timesheet submission on most modern phones.
Related Resources on Unified Savers:
- IHSS Direct Deposit Setup — How to set up direct deposit through the ESP portal
- IHSS Provider Enrollment Process — Step-by-step guide to becoming an IHSS provider
- IHSS Caregiver Rights California — Full labor rights including paycheck and wage protections
- IHSS Program Changes 2026 — Latest updates to IHSS policy and electronic verification
- IHSS Provider Training Requirements — What training IHSS providers are required to complete