You Can Get Paid to Care
for Someone You Love
In San Diego County, programs like IHSS can pay a family member to provide care at home. Coast Care is not part of IHSS. We're here to explain it, help you apply, and fill the gaps in care that IHSS doesn't cover.
Serving San Diego families since 2013.
The Basics
What is IHSS?
IHSS (In-Home Supportive Services) is a California program that can pay a caregiver, often a family member, to help a loved one stay safely at home.
Think of it this way: if you're already spending hours each week helping your mom bathe, cook, or get around, IHSS recognizes that this is real work, and the county may be able to pay you (or another caregiver you choose) for it.
Ready to apply for IHSS? Applications go through your county IHSS office. San Diego County families can apply online at BenefitsCal.com or learn more from the California Department of Social Services.
Eligibility
Who can get paid?
Every situation is different, but these are the most common things the county looks for:
- They need help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, or meals
- They have Medi-Cal (California's Medicaid health coverage)
- They live at home, not in a facility
- A doctor or assessor confirms they need this level of help at home
To be clear:eligibility is decided by the county, not by Coast Care. We help you understand the process. We don't approve benefits.
Applying for IHSS
Applications are handled by the county, not by Coast Care. San Diego County families can apply online at BenefitsCal.com, or call their county IHSS office to start.
Apply for IHSS at BenefitsCal.comQuestions first? Call us anytime at (858) 285-0938
Where We Come In
When IHSS Leaves a Gap, Coast Care Can Help
In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) is an important source of care, but a member's needs may begin before IHSS is approved or extend beyond the hours it authorizes. For eligible Medi-Cal managed care members, CalAIM Community Supports may provide additional help at home when authorized by their health plan.
A referral to Coast Care may be appropriate when:
IHSS approval is pending.
A member needs help with daily activities while their IHSS application or assessment is underway.
Authorized IHSS hours are insufficient.
The member has care needs that are not met by their current hours. Their health plan can review whether additional support is appropriate.
A family caregiver needs relief.
Respite Services may give an eligible caregiver a temporary break. A member does not need to receive IHSS to be considered for respite.
Personal Care and Homemaker Services can help with activities such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and other daily tasks. Community Supports must complement existing services; they cannot duplicate hours or replace care already available through IHSS. Eligibility, service hours, and authorization are determined by the member's Medi-Cal managed care plan.
How We Help
How Coast Care Helps
Coast Care works with members, families, referral partners, and health plans to understand the need, gather information for a referral, and coordinate next steps toward authorized in-home care. We keep the referring partner informed as the request moves forward.
We explain your options
IHSS, Medi-Cal (California's health coverage for people with limited income), and CalAIM. We'll walk you through what each one means for your family, in words that make sense.
We point you in the right direction
If IHSS sounds right for your family, we'll tell you how to apply through the county. If another path fits better, we'll say so. No runaround.
We can provide the care
If your loved one has Medi-Cal and qualifies, Coast Care can provide professional in-home care through CalAIM at no cost to the member. We've done this for San Diego families since 2013.
Not sure where to start?
That's completely normal. Take our free eligibility check below, or just call and talk to a real person. We'll explain everything in plain English. No jargon, no pressure.
Check If You Qualify (Free)Questions About Getting Care? Give Us a Call
Find out where you stand
Fill this out and a real person from our San Diego team will call you back. We'll walk through your situation and point you in the right direction, even if that direction isn't us.
- Takes about a minute
- No obligation, ever
- A real person calls you back
Why Families Trust Us
Caring for San Diego since 2013
Locally owned and serving San Diego families ever since
Licensed and insured home care organization (HCO #374700060)
A local team that answers the phone and knows this community
Want to hear from families we've helped?
Read family storiesReady to find out if you qualify?
It's free, it takes about a minute, and a real person will call you back. Or call us right now. We're happy to talk it through.
Coast Care does not determine eligibility for IHSS, Medi-Cal, or CalAIM benefits. Eligibility and authorization are determined by the county and the member's Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan. Services are subject to approval.