Most IHSS providers are paid by the state after they submit a timesheet. But if the person you care for is on Advance Pay, things work differently — they get their IHSS money at the start of the month and pay you directly. This guide explains what Advance Pay means for you as the provider, based on the official CDSS Advance Pay handout (WIC §12304, MPP §30-769.737, MPP §30-767.133).
What is IHSS Advance Pay?
Advance Pay is an option for some IHSS recipients — also called consumers — to receive their monthly IHSS payment at the beginning of the service month, so they can pay their provider(s) directly for authorized services. It is set by Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) §12304.
Normally, the state pays you after you submit your timesheet. Under Advance Pay, the recipient pays you using money the state sent them in advance. The recipient is required to pay providers on time and may only use the advance funds to buy authorized IHSS services.
Which recipients can use Advance Pay?
Advance Pay eligibility belongs to the recipient, not the provider. A recipient can qualify if they meet all three conditions:
- They are severely impaired and authorized for 20 or more hours per week of personal care, meal preparation, meal cleanup (when feeding is required), and paramedical services; and
- They are capable of handling their own financial and legal affairs; and
- The advance amount does not exceed what is needed to pay for their authorized service hours.
As a provider, you do not apply for Advance Pay. You simply work for a recipient who has already been approved. If you are not sure whether your recipient is on Advance Pay, ask them or contact your county IHSS office.
How do you get paid if your recipient is on Advance Pay?
The recipient pays you directly, using the advance payment the state sent them at the start of the month. You do not receive a warrant (check) or direct deposit from the state for your regular service hours. The recipient is legally required to pay you on time and cannot use the advance money for anything other than authorized IHSS services.
Do you still submit timesheets?
Yes. Since October 2016, Advance Pay uses semi-monthly timesheets — two timesheets per month instead of one. This change was made to make sure overtime is paid on time (per MPP §30-769.737).
Each timesheet requires both your signature and the recipient's. The recipient — or their guardian or conservator — is responsible for submitting the timesheet to the county at the end of each service month; you mail the timesheet to the processing facility.
The Advance Pay timesheet looks like the standard IHSS timesheet but is marked "Individual Provider Advance Pay Timesheet" in the top right and "Type: Advance Pay" in the body.
How does overtime work under Advance Pay?
The same overtime rules apply. You earn 1.5 times your regular county hourly rate for every hour worked beyond 40 in a Sunday–Saturday workweek. See our overtime rules guide for full details.
Since the October 2016 change to semi-monthly timesheets, overtime is reconciled semi-monthly and overtime warrants are issued directly to you on a semi-monthly basis (depending on when the reconciling timesheet is submitted). This means overtime pay can reach you faster than under the old monthly process.
What about travel time?
Travel time pay is still reconciled monthly using a separate Travel Claim Form — this did not change with the October 2016 switch to semi-monthly timesheets. If you serve multiple recipients and travel between them, see our travel time pay guide.
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Because the recipient pays you directly and submits the timesheets, your pay depends on them doing both correctly and on time. If a recipient does not follow Advance Pay rules, the county can remove their Advance Pay status (MPP §30-767.133).
- Keep your own record of hours worked — do not rely solely on the recipient's records.
- Make sure timesheets are signed by both you and the recipient and submitted on schedule.
- If you are not paid on time, contact your county IHSS office — the recipient's obligation to pay you is a condition of their Advance Pay approval.
Advance Pay and Community First Choice Option (CFCO)
Federal rules (42 CFR §441.545) allow advance direct payment under the Community First Choice Option (CFCO), giving recipients more ability to self-direct their care — including selecting, training, scheduling, and supervising their provider. You still must complete standard IHSS provider enrollment and the required criminal background check (WIC §12305.86). CFCO does not change those requirements.
Frequently asked questions
What is IHSS Advance Pay?
IHSS Advance Pay is an option for some recipients to receive their monthly IHSS payment at the beginning of the service month so they can pay their provider directly. Under normal IHSS, the state pays you after you submit a timesheet. Under Advance Pay, the recipient pays you using money the state sent them in advance. It is authorized by Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) §12304.
Do Advance Pay providers still submit timesheets?
Yes. Since October 2016, Advance Pay uses semi-monthly timesheets — two per month instead of one. Both the recipient and provider must sign each timesheet. The recipient or their guardian/conservator is responsible for submitting the timesheet to the county at the end of each service month (per MPP §30-769.737); the provider mails the timesheet to the processing facility.
Does overtime work differently under Advance Pay?
No — the same overtime rules apply. You earn 1.5 times your hourly rate for hours worked beyond 40 in a Sunday–Saturday workweek. Since the October 2016 change to semi-monthly timesheets, overtime is reconciled and paid semi-monthly, so overtime pay can reach you faster than under the old monthly process.
Who is eligible for IHSS Advance Pay?
Advance Pay eligibility belongs to the recipient, not the provider. A recipient qualifies if they are severely impaired, authorized for 20 or more hours per week of personal care and related services, and capable of managing their own financial and legal affairs. As a provider, you don't apply — you simply work for a recipient who has already been approved.