If you are told by the County that you cannot be a provider for your child unless you previously had a job, this is incorrect. 

You can be the IHSS provider for your child if you are prevented from obtaining full-time employment right now because no other suitable provider is available. You can also be the IHSS provider for your child if you left full-time employment because no other suitable provider is available. However, state law and regulations do not require that you left full-time employment at a particular time or for a particular reason or even that you have ever been employed full-time at all. You can be the IHSS provider even if you have never worked. The only requirement is that you are prevented from obtaining full-time employment because of the care your child needs now. 

According to state regulations, a parent can be an IHSS provider if “The parent has left full-time employment or is prevented from obtaining full-time employment because no other suitable provider is available and the inability of the parent to perform supportive services may result in inappropriate placement or inadequate care.” (Manual of Policies and Procedures (MPP) 30-763.451.) Full-time employment means 40 hours per week or more. (MPP 30-763.451(a).) 

This is DRC’s toll-free number: (800) 776-5746