In Missouri, In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) may be available to those over 65 who qualify for Medicaid. These services can include personal care, home care, assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), and respite care. Most care is provided in the IHSS recipient’s own home, although some services may be provided in care facilities such as adult day care.
One of the main programs is called Consumer Directed Services, which is a program in which people with physical disabilities hire and manage their own caregivers, health care professionals, and IHSS services. These care providers can be family members or other loved ones.
Other waiver programs provide types of services like personal care services, social services, and other health care and paramedical services. However, most IHSS programs have a cap on the number of hours of care a recipient is eligible for. This means that IHSS providers must keep track of their hours and present accurate timesheets. Care recipients in IHSS programs must have a physical disability or impairment that impairs their ability to care for themselves. They must also otherwise need a nursing home level of care, and would otherwise have to reside in a long-term care facility.
To complete an IHSS application, one must meet the low-income and low-asset eligibility requirements before submitting the application. Some states have IHSS offices, in which case one could visit their county IHSS office in-person for guidance in completing the application. In Missouri, one can visit or call the Missouri Department of Social Services for assistance with the application process. During the application, the applicant may be interviewed by a county social worker, who will help determine the level and type of services needed. As part of the process, the recipient will receive a Notice of Action, which is a document outlining eligibility for benefits.