ESP and TTS help for IHSS
Step-by-step guides with real screenshots for IHSS providers and recipients. Learn how to register, log in, enter hours and approve timesheets. Each guide follows an official CDSS guide and links to the original.
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Official California state website. IHSS Provider is not affiliated with it.
Independent guide based on official CDSS documents. Not affiliated with CDSS, the State of California or any county.
How you get paid: the full path
Each step depends on the one before it. If one step stalls, your pay can be late. Tap a step to open its guide.
Before you startBoth people must be registered
1Provider is registered
An account in ESP or in the phone system (TTS)
1Recipient is registered
In ESP, or by phone if there is no device
2Provider enters hours
Then submits and signs the timesheet
3Recipient approves
The recipient reviews the hours and approves or rejects the timesheet
4The state processes and pays
A complete timesheet turned in on time is usually paid within 10 days of when the state receives it (SOC 846)
Which guide do you need? Just two questions
01Start here: register and log in
How to register for ESP (IHSS providers and recipients)
Use this guide the first time you open the Electronic Services Portal (ESP), as a provider or a recipient. Registration has five steps and you only do it once. After that, you just log in.
9 stepsCDSS 10/2026
Log in to ESP with a one-time passcode
How to enroll in the one-time passcode and use it to log in, with screenshots.
ESP registration FAQs for IHSS providers and recipients
Answers to common questions before and during registration. They come from the official CDSS frequently asked questions.
CDSS 10/02/2026
02Enter hours (for providers)
How to enter your hours in ESP if you live with the recipient
This guide is for providers who live in the same home as the recipient. You only enter the hours and minutes you worked each day. You do not check in or out. Then you submit the timesheet for your recipient to review.
9 stepsCDSS 06/2023
How to enter your hours in ESP if you do not live with the recipient
This guide is for providers who do not live with the recipient. For each workday, you complete your hours and minutes plus the start and end time and location (EVV). Then you submit the timesheet for your recipient to review. You are paid for hours worked, not the time between check-in and check-out.
10 stepsCDSS 10/2026
Check in and check out (EVV)
How electronic visit verification works for non-live-in providers, by mobile app or phone.
Official CDSS guide (PDF)CDSS 10/2026Enter hours by phone (TTS)
For people who do not use the internet, live-in and non-live-in.
03For recipients: approve timesheets
How a recipient registers for the phone system (TTS)
Before you can approve timesheets by phone, you register one time. Have these ready: your 6-digit registration code, your 7-digit case number and your date of birth.
7 stepsCDSS 06/2019
How to approve or reject your provider’s timesheet in ESP
For recipients who use the ESP. The recipient reviews the hours and approves or rejects the timesheet.
12 stepsCDSS 10/2026
How a recipient approves a timesheet by phone (TTS)
This guide is for recipients who approve timesheets by phone. You listen to the timesheet, then press a key to approve or reject it. You must be registered in the TTS first.
7 stepsCDSS 06/2023
04After approval: what happens next?
Common questions once your timesheet is approved.
Where is my pay?
Track your payment status in your ESP account.
How to set up or change direct deposit in ESP
This guide shows how to enroll in direct deposit in the ESP. It also covers how to change your bank account, cancel direct deposit and view your requests. Have your ESP username and your 9-digit provider number ready.
11 stepsCDSS 10/2026
Direct deposit
How to enroll in direct deposit through your ESP account.
Taxes for live-in providers: SOC 2298
How the live-in wage exclusion works. General information, not tax advice.
How to request paid sick leave in ESP
This guide shows how to see your sick leave hours and send a paid sick leave claim in the ESP. You can only request paid sick leave that you have earned.
8 stepsCDSS 10/2026
Paid sick leave
How to claim paid sick leave, including through your ESP account.
Late timesheet
What to know about pay periods, deadlines and pay when a timesheet is late.
IHSS Service Desk
(866) 376-7066Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm, except holidays.
Phone system (TTS)(833) 342-5388
All original guides are in English on the CDSS EVV Help page. We update these guides when CDSS updates its documents.
CDSS EVV Help