Provider Enrollment Appointment

At your individual enrollment appointment, remember to:

  • Be on time for your appointment.
  • Bring the following original documents:
    • Social Security Card:
      • Important: The Social Security Administration is no longer able to provide a printout of your Social Security information for IHSS. If you need a Social Security Card it may be 4-6 weeks to receive your card. You cannot enroll as a provider until you have your Social Security Card.
    • Identification:
      • An original and unexpired document issued by a state or federal government agency containing a photograph and signature, such as:
        • A Driver’s License or identification card issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
        • A Driver’s License or identification card issued by another state’s DMV.
        • An unexpired identification document issued by a state, federal, or federally recognized American Indian Tribal government agency.

Note: The IHSS Public Authority can only accept original documents. The name on your identification document must match the name on your Social Security Card.

Live Scan Fingerprint Imaging

At your enrollment appointment, Public Authority staff will provide you with the Live Scan form. Even if you have already had a background check for another job, everyone applying to be an IHSS provider must have a background check using the form we provide.

Note: There is a fee for this service.

  • Reduced cost Live Scan service is available through the County of Santa Cruz.  Inquire at the Enrollment Appointment; or
  • Find a location by visiting the State Attorney General website at: https://oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/locations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some frequently asked questions. If your question is not answered here, call the Public Authority at (831) 454-4036.

  1. What if I cannot find my Social Security Card? Visit your local Social Security Office and apply for your replacement card. They will provide you with a replacement card within 7 to 14 days. It is highly recommended that you DO NOT schedule an enrollment appointment until you have your original Social Security Card. To find your local Social Security Office, visit the Social Security Office Locator website at https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp.
  2. I already had a background check done for another job – do I need to do it again? Yes. Everyone applying to be an IHSS provider must have a background check done using the form we provide.
  3. I am starting to work for a second IHSS consumer; do I need to do the enrollment a second time? No. An IHSS provider only needs to enroll one time to be allowed to be paid by the IHSS program. It does not matter how many IHSS consumers you work for.
  4. It has been over a year since I was paid as an IHSS provider, do I need to do the enrollment a second time? Please contact the Public Authority at (831) 454-4036. A Public Authority staff member can verify whether or not you need to complete the enrollment process again.