NOTICE REGARDING IN-HOME SUPPORTIVE SERVICES (IHSS)

In 2009, the State of California tried to cut IHSS domestic and related hours and to cut funds for IHSS workers who make more than $9.50 an hour. In 2011, the State tried to cut IHSS hours by 20%.

In response, IHSS recipients and labor unions filed lawsuits. They won temporary orders stopping the cuts. The State appealed the lawsuits. No one knows if the courts would allow the cuts or not. Now there is a settlement. If the court approves the settlement:

• There will be no 20% cut in IHSS hours. There will be a one-year cut of 8% starting around July 1, 2013. This is 4.4% below current hours because there is already a cut of 3.6% that is not part of these lawsuits. (3.6% + 4.4% = 8%).

• Around July 2014, the cut in IHSS hours will go down to 7%. (3.4% on top of the 3.6% current cut).

• There will be no cuts in State funding for IHSS wages.

• You CAN ask the county for extra hours if your circumstances change.

TO GET MORE DETAILS OR FILE AN OBJECTION WITH THE COURT:

You can get a copy of the class notice and the settlement agreement from your county welfare office, public authority or online at: DOWNLOAD IHSS SETTLEMENT CLASS NOTICE

Also, you can get details at these websites: www.disabilityrightsca.org, www.altshulerberzon.com, www.dss.cahwnet.gov, and www.dhcs.ca.gov.
You can also leave a message for the lawyers representing IHSS recipients at 1-866-752-6679.

THE DEADLINE TO OBJECT TO THE SETTLEMENT IS MAY 3, 2013.

You don’t have to do anything if you do not object to the settlement.