How do I register for the ESP for the first time?
Go to the IHSS Electronic Services Portal homepage at www.etimesheets.ihss.ca.gov and select the Register Here link. On the Welcome page, choose "I am an Applicant or Recipient" or "I am a Provider". Then select Begin Registration and follow the 5 steps.
You are an applicant if you applied for IHSS or the Waiver Personal Care Services (WPCS) and your case is not approved yet. You are a recipient once your case is approved and you get your approval Notice of Action, which includes your recipient number (case number). Providers can find their provider number on earlier notices from IHSS.
What information do I need to register?
You need your first name, last name and date of birth. You also need your 9-digit provider number (providers) or 7-digit case number (applicants and recipients), an active email address, and the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer ID Number (ITIN).
I do not have an SSN. Can I use my ITIN?
Yes. Recipients with an ITIN can enter the last 4 digits of the ITIN in the field that asks for the SSN. Your personal information is not stored on the website. It is only used for the first check against the Case Management Information and Payrolling System.
Who can help me register?
Call the IHSS Service Desk at (866) 376-7066, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm, except major holidays. Step-by-step registration videos are also available on the CDSS website.
Who needs to register first, the provider or the recipient?
The order does not matter. Both of you need to be registered to use the ESP to submit and approve IHSS timesheets.
Do I need a password to register?
No. You register with a one-time passcode instead of a password. You get a temporary 6-digit passcode by email, text or phone call to verify who you are.
How do I get my one-time passcode during registration?
You enter your email address in Step 2 of registration. In Step 4, a passcode is sent to that email address. Enter the code you receive to finish registering.
What if I do not get my one-time passcode?
Wait a few minutes. If you chose email, check both your inbox and your spam folder. If it still does not come, select Resend Passcode.
How do I sign up for the phone system (TTS)?
Dial (833) DIAL-EVV or (833) 342-5388 and follow the TTS prompts. Select the Registration option. Enter your 6-digit registration code, your 7-digit case number (recipients) or 9-digit provider number (providers), and your date of birth. Then create a 4-digit passcode on your keypad. The registration code was mailed to you. If you cannot find it, contact your local county IHSS office.
My recipient has no phone, computer or tablet. What can we do?
Recipients and providers can use the ESP or the TTS interchangeably. You can submit your timesheets online in the ESP, and your recipient can review and approve them by phone in the TTS. The recipient must register in the TTS first.
Can I use the ESP if my recipient is not signed up yet?
Yes, providers can enroll in the ESP. You can submit timesheets online, check timesheet status and history, submit a sick leave request and check payment status. Your recipient cannot review and approve your electronic timesheets until they register in the ESP or the TTS.
Can I use the ESP if my provider is not signed up yet?
Yes, recipients can register for the ESP. But you cannot approve timesheets in the ESP until your provider registers and starts submitting electronic timesheets through the ESP or the TTS.
Do recipients need the ESP to use the TTS?
No. If you choose the TTS, you do not need to register for the ESP. You must register for the TTS before you can review and approve an electronic timesheet. Have your 6-digit registration code ready.
Are the security questions case sensitive?
No, they are not.
What do I do if I see "Matching IHSS consumer not found"?
Check that your first and last names are spelled correctly. If you have two last names, enter the full name, with the hyphen between them if there is one. All your personal information must match what you gave your county worker. You can compare it with your IHSS paystubs. If something is wrong, contact your county so they can update your records.
Can I talk with the IHSS Service Desk with my own translator?
Yes. Listen to the IHSS Service Desk prompts and select the language option that fits.
Source: ESP Registration Frequently Asked Questions, rev. 10/02/2026.