Can My Child Get IHSS While Receiving Regional Center or Medi-Cal Services?

Parents of children with disabilities often rely on multiple programs to meet their child’s needs. Two of the most common supports in California are In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) and Regional Center programs, both of which are connected to Medi-Cal. It’s natural to wonder if receiving services from one program affects your eligibility for the other. The short answer is yes—your child can usually receive IHSS even if they already get services through the Regional Center or Medi-Cal. However, there are some important rules and distinctions to understand.

IHSS and Regional Center Serve Different Purposes

While both IHSS and the Regional Center aim to support individuals with disabilities, they serve different needs and are funded through different programs.

• IHSS provides in-home care for tasks that help a person remain safely at home—such as personal care, meal preparation, and protective supervision.
• Regional Center services focus on developmental support and community integration, such as respite care, behavioral therapy, and social programs.

Because they cover different areas of need, your child may qualify for and benefit from both programs at the same time.

Avoiding Duplication of Services

One key rule is that IHSS and the Regional Center cannot pay for the same service at the same time.
For example, if the Regional Center pays for respite hours for your child, IHSS cannot also cover those exact hours for the same purpose. However, IHSS might still cover other daily care needs, such as bathing, feeding, or protective supervision, while the Regional Center continues providing respite or therapy support.

The goal is coordination—not duplication—so that all your child’s needs are met without overlapping funding.

How Medi-Cal Fits In

IHSS is a Medi-Cal program, which means your child must be eligible for Medi-Cal to receive IHSS. If your child already has Medi-Cal—either through income-based eligibility or through the Regional Center’s “institutional deeming” (for children with significant disabilities)—they meet the basic financial requirement for IHSS.

Regional Center services do not affect Medi-Cal eligibility, and receiving both does not reduce benefits from either program.

Coordinating IHSS and Regional Center Services

Here are a few practical tips for parents managing both programs:

1. Inform both caseworkers—Let your IHSS social worker and Regional Center service coordinator know what services your child receives from each program.
2. Keep documentation—Maintain copies of your child’s service plans, Individual Program Plan (IPP), and IHSS assessment reports.
3. Clarify responsibilities—If a service could fit under either program, ask your coordinators to confirm which one is responsible.
4. Request reassessments—If your child’s needs change, you can request a reassessment from IHSS or an amendment to the Regional Center IPP.

Key Takeaway

Your child can receive IHSS even if they already receive Regional Center or Medi-Cal services. The programs are designed to complement one another, not conflict. As long as each covers different types of support, your family can access both to ensure your child’s full care needs are met.

Need help? In California, the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program provides crucial financial help for families raising children with special needs. American Advocacy Group is on the front lines every day, making positive change happen for people diagnosed with autism, Down syndrome, and a range of diagnoses across the continuum. As a leading advocate for all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, and the premier provider of the support and services people want and need, we understand the system and know how to take action regarding your best interests.

CONTACT US FOR HELP. Dial (877) 762-0702 or email us at [email protected].