Public Authority Services by Sourcewise administers optional health and other employment benefits for In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Independent Providers in Santa Clara County.
Enrolling for benefits is optional. Independent Providers must meet eligibility criteria and request to enroll before an application form will be mailed to them. Learn about Care Provider Benefits eligibility criteria below.
Public Authority Services Benefits Department can only send benefits applications to the mailing address on file with IHSS. To update your address, do so in the Electronic Services Portal or contact IHSS at IHSS.SCC@ssa.sccgov.org or (408) 792-1600.
Independent Providers must be paid by IHSS for 35 hours per month to remain eligible for benefits. Submit your timesheets on time! Learn about Care Provider Benefits eligibility criteria below.
If benefits are terminated for eligibility requirements not being met, or you asked for your benefits to end, providers can follow the application steps to reinstate their benefits when the requirements are once again fulfilled. Reapply for benefits by following the steps in the section How To Apply.
Care Provider Benefits
If you meet the eligibility criteria, request a benefits application form by calling (408) 350-3290 or completing the application request form.
Have your 9-digit IHSS Independent Provider number ready when you call.
Benefits applications and important notices about an Independent Provider’s eligibility requirements cannot be sent unless the mailing address is current in the IHSS system.
Medical insurance is provided by Valley Health Plan (VHP)
Medical Benefit Premiums cost $25 per month. When payroll schedule (paycheck) is up to date, the $25 premium is deducted from the provider’s paycheck.
Already enrolled in the provider benefits and have questions about your medical coverage? Visit the Valley Health Plan website or call Valley Health Plan Member Services at (408) 885-4760 or (888) 421-8444.
Dental and Vision Insurance
Dental and vision benefits are bundled together, so when providers apply for one, they also apply for the other.
There is no monthly cost for dental and vision insurance, providers are only responsible for paying co-pays.
Dental Insurance is provided by Liberty Dental Plan
This HMO dental plan covers Plan LR100 contracted dentists with Liberty Dental Plan.
Already enrolled in the provider benefits and have questions about your dental coverage? Visit libertydentalplan.com/IHSS or contact Liberty Dental Member Services at (888) 703-6999.
Vision Insurance is provided by Vision Services Plan (VSP)
Already enrolled in the provider benefits and have questions about your vision coverage? Visit vsp.com or call 1 (800) 877-7195.
The free SmartPass from the Santa Clara County Valley Transit Authority (VTA) is available to all actively working IHSS Independent Providers in the county.
The SmartPass allows travel on all non-express route VTA buses and light rail trains throughout Santa Clara County and does not expire unless you stop working for IHSS consumers.
Independent Providers must have their IHSS provider ID badge with them when using the SmartPass. These are not issued to providers unless requested.
Ready to request your IHSS provider ID badge and SmartPass? Leave a message for the Public Authority Services Benefits Department at (408) 350-3290.
To apply for benefits through Public Authority Services, IHSS Independent Providers must:
Independent Providers must be PAID by Santa Clara County IHSS for at least 35 hours of work, for the two most recent months before requesting an application.
Request an Application through the online request form or by leaving a message for the Benefits Department at (408) 350-3290. You will be screened for eligibility.
Using the envelope provided with the application you receive, add a postage stamp and return to the Public Authority Services Benefits Department.
Notification letters are usually received within 6 weeks of your application being reviewed.
Ready to request an application? Call the Benefits Department at (408) 350-3290 or complete the request form now!
Wondering how you can be positive about your eligibility for IHSS Independent Provider benefits? Call the Public Authority Services Benefits Department at (408) 350-3290.
Santa Clara County Independent Providers have additional benefits available to them beyond those offered through the Public Authority Services Benefits Department:
Santa Clara County Federal Credit Union (SCCFCU)
IHSS Independent Providers in Santa Clara County are eligible to join SCCFCU, along with their family members! Members of SCCFCU can open free checking accounts, receive dividends on savings, access member discounts on theme park tickets, movies, and more.
For more information and to apply for your personal account, visit the SCCFCU website at sccfcu.org.
CalSavers Retirement Savings Program
CalSavers is an optional program offered by the State of California available to IHSS Independent Providers who want to contribute to a retirement plan.
Designed for all Californians, the program allows individuals to set up automatic contributions from their bank account into the retirement plan and choose investment options for their account.
CalSavers is administered by the State of California and enrollment is easily done by phone or online. IHSS Independent Care Providers are “self-employed” individuals and will not have an employer access code.
When enrolling, use the “Get Started” and “I want to sign myself up” options to begin saving today!
If you have questions or need assistance with CalSavers, contact the CalSavers Help Desk at (855) 650-6918 and mention that you are a “self-employed” individual.
Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
For information on SEIU and the resources and benefits they offer, contact the union at (855) 810-2015
Insurance does not end immediately when an independent provider stops working
There is a grace period and insurance coverage will continue for at least one month after an independent provider stops being paid for the required 35 hours per month.
If a provider’s pay for hours falls below the requirement, the Public Authority Services Benefits Department will send a Health Insurance Termination Warning letter to notify the provider of when their coverage will end. Independent Providers are responsible for paying their portion of the insurance premium until their insurance stops.
Benefits eligibility is determined by the number of hours paid for on provider’s paychecks. If you have not submitted your timesheets or received your paycheck as expected, you may be at risk of losing your benefits. Always submit your timesheets on time and contact In-Home Supportive Services for timesheet and payroll issues.
If your Public Authority Services benefits end, you will be sent COBRA information on how you can optionally self-pay the full plan premium to continue your benefits.
Keep your mailing address up to date. The Benefits Department can only send communications, such as Health Insurance Termination Warning letters, to the address on file with IHSS. Make sure you can receive these vital materials by keeping your contact information current in the Electronic Services Portal when you complete your timesheets.
