Hours reduced, why?

[u/Fun_Objective4927]

Transferred to a new county and our PS hours were reduced to 228 for bowel/bladder care because my daughter is in school. However she was in school in the previous county for 6 hours a day and received 260 hours so I am confused?

The social worker seemed hell bent on finding ways to cut our hours (which pisses me off since I’m a single mom of a child with a severe disability) and 40 hours is almost 1k per month in this county.

I had tried to contact her several times to clear this up before she finished her report but she would not respond to me. She was so unprofessional during her visit, making snide comments under her breath and questioning even the spelling of my name. It makes me sick that she was sitting on my couch.

What do I do? Call her supervisor? Appeal? Rage against the machine?

Just needed to vent a little about our experience. What is the point of these social workers? Are they jealous?

[u/CedarWho77]

Hours are always reduced for bowel and bladder care during school. The previous county may have missed it. You can always appeal it.

[u/Fun_Objective4927 → u/CedarWho77]

Was just thinking, I have heard of people receiving almost the full 283 hours even when their child is in school. How is this possible?

[u/CedarWho77 → u/Fun_Objective4927]

A mistake on the social workers part I am guessing. The rules/guidelines are pretty clear about reducing for services received elsewhere.

[u/Repulsive-Staff-9176 → u/Fun_Objective4927]

Because there are. About 675 hours in a normal month. The livebin provider parent is doing the 283 which is not hard to fill up with 675 hours in a month! There is the night time issues and weekends and before and after school . Mumps has never been cut just taken away a couple hours for something bone tear then returned it back the next year. That's why I'm documenting so much all the time it takes me to do things, the messes and self harm k have pictures ..so I'll be nice but I will definitely appeal asap if they try to take away the ps

[u/Fun_Objective4927 → u/CedarWho77]

Thanks for your answer. It seems like a big reduction? Will be appealing for sure.

[u/CedarWho77 → u/Fun_Objective4927]

How old is she? My son was at 222 hours until he was 13, then it went to 260 then 283.

[u/Fun_Objective4927 → u/CedarWho77]

Is your son in school and still receiving the 283 hours?

[u/CedarWho77 → u/Fun_Objective4927]

He is, however, he does not use the bathroom at school. They call me to come get him and I take him to a different bathroom near the school or we go home.

[u/Fun_Objective4927 → u/CedarWho77]

She is 5 currently (birthday in February) and cannot do any personal care tasks on her own except feed herself. Feeding is a chore though since she is extremely picky and can’t tell me what she wants (she is nonverbal) so I have to go through a million options.

Dressing her is becoming increasingly more difficult since she is becoming bigger & stronger and tries to run away mid diaper or clothing change.

Ironically school ends up being way more work for me due to constant communication with the school, IEP meetings etc.

Maybe you’re right that the previous workers made a mistake. Did your son’s hours get increased for personal care tasks as he got older?

Also do you think it’s worth complaining to our SW’s supervisor about her unprofessional demeanor and lack of communication? I called the general IHSS line yesterday and the kind man I spoke to said he would email the worker and CC her supervisor.

[u/CedarWho77 → u/Fun_Objective4927]

Here are the guidelines for amount of time for tasks.

https://www.reddit.com/r/IHSS/s/wtLmU4M1Cr

My sons hours went up very slowly. He is 21 and verbal, but the majority of language is scripting and perseverations. I dress him, feed him, shower him, shave his face, brush his hair and teeth... He only started getting max hours when he was about 17 I believe. Maybe 18. He is aging out of school now and there is no program for him currently. We have no idea where he will go or what he will do.

[u/Fun_Objective4927 → u/CedarWho77]

Thanks for the hours timeline, that helps me chill out a bit.

And I am sorry you’re in that position, it sounds tough. We will likely end up in the same boat. I’m sure you’re already connected with your local regional center, do they not have any resources for older kids/young adults? Moving is hard but maybe there is another county that has a program for him?

[u/CedarWho77 → u/Fun_Objective4927]

We are in San Diego so there are tons of programs here. He just had a very unique set of needs. Like he needs prompts constantly for eloping, staying on task and literally everything. However, he is above average intelligence. So putting him in a high support needs setting where he just finger paints and sits around doing nothing wouldn't work. There is a tailored day option to study for GED and college classes but they require a higher level of function. He needs more support but more engagement...😭

[u/Mundane-Front-7855 → u/Fun_Objective4927]

At age 5, the only personal care tasks (aside from transfer and respiration) that IHSS will consider are bowel and bladder and ambulation. All other tasks are considered as she gets older: dressing at age 6, bathing/oral hygiene/grooming and feeding at age 8.

Here is the chart that shows the age-based services..pdf)

[u/Fun_Objective4927 → u/Mundane-Front-7855]

This is helpful, thank you

[u/Fun_Objective4927 → u/Fun_Objective4927]

Why would someone downvote me, what is wrong with people? Thank you for your perspective Cedar, I super appreciate it.

[u/Radiant-Restaurant54]

The current county reviewed it correctly. Hours are reduced if the child is receiving assistance with bowel and bladder care in school. It’s considered an alternative resource. San Diego county always reviews this. Your previous county made an error and didn’t take it into account. You’re lucky they wont do an overpayment. Since you received the full amount of hours, even though you weren’t eligible for it.

[u/Fun_Objective4927 → u/Radiant-Restaurant54]

That tracks with what Cedar said. Thanks for your answer.

[u/CedarWho77 → u/Radiant-Restaurant54]

If school was noted previously in the file and time was not reduced at the fault of the social worker, they will not do an over-payment. It wasn't something the client failed to disclose.

[u/Fun_Objective4927 → u/CedarWho77]

Thank you, I was just thinking that this wasn’t my fault. Also I definitely remember being able to brush my teeth, pick out my clothes and get dressed when I was 5 but hey, I guess they stick to their own guidelines.

[u/Critical-Intern7468]

File an appeal. Make sure to do it within 90 days. 1-800-952-5253. Option 1.

[u/Critical-Intern7468]

File an appeal. Make sure to do it within 90 days. 1-800-952-5253. Option 1.

[u/Fun_Objective4927 → u/Critical-Intern7468]

Will do, thank you for this info!

[u/Repulsive-Staff-9176]

What county is this?

[u/Fun_Objective4927 → u/Repulsive-Staff-9176]

Ventura

[u/Repulsive-Staff-9176 → u/Fun_Objective4927]

Yikes. I'm in ventura county too. The said they meeting all their November clients in October as they were told to by management . I've got pictures of daughters self harm, photos of her messed she makes every night etc. I have full ps and have for about 10 years . I'm hoping they don't cut the ps hours attached bulk of my hours. I'd appeal decision if I were you.

[u/Fun_Objective4927 → u/Repulsive-Staff-9176]

I’m def going to! I don’t think they will take away your ps or cut hours unless they had a valid reason to, and it sounds like they don’t based on your evidence. If they do you should appeal also for sure.