SoHum Woman Has Cancer and Needs Help
Many SoHum locals will remember Iva Coffelt from her years bartending at the Branding Iron or waiting tables at The Waterwheel. She was always quick with a wicked laugh. Now, Iva is facing a tough fight with cancer, and her daughter, Brandi Church*, is trying to raise money so she help be by her side.
Brandi shared that her mom has been undergoing chemotherapy and, while she’s strong, the treatments have been really hard. Iva now needs full-time care, and Brandi wants to be there for her, but she can’t afford to step away from work without help. Brandi wrote on her GoFundMe page.
We’ve kept this journey private until now, but the time has come to ask for help. Iva has been undergoing chemotherapy…She needs full-time care and I need to be by her side.
If you’ve ever been served a drink or a meal by Iva, you probably remember her warmth and humor and how hard she was willing to work. She gave laughter as easily as she gave service. Now, Brandi hopes the community that her mom grew up in can rally around Iva.
Anyone who’d like to help can contribute through the GoFundMe or donate directly:
CashApp: $BrandiChurch707
PayPal: @brandichurch13
Even if you can’t give, sharing the link would help.
*Please note that Brandi Church is the niece of the publisher of Redheaded Blackbelt.
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Her daughter can sign up with IHSS and be a paid family caregiver. Call Adult Services and ask. It’s a hassle, takes a while but is worth it in this situation. That’s all I got. Wishing for the best. My Mom had cancer, I get it.
If only it were that simple. My mom died before I got the denial letter saying that we didn’t qualify because She Was Dead. And if you do win the IHSS lottery, you may qualify for 10 hours a MONTH. They dont pay folks to help with all of the things that your loved one needs help with. I was grieving hard when I got the denial letter. It was appalling.
I am so sorry you went through that. Sending you big hugs and lots of love ❤️
Are you talking about being a provider? If she died before approval, then no, you wouldn’t qualify. That isn’t retroactive to an approval/denial. It’s a formality. I’ve been a provider since 2016. Hours are based on an assessment of a recipient’s needs. That also comes with a home visit by one of their staff to help determine what those needs are. I’ve worked for people that have had 200 hours a month available. They will vary by need. As a provider you can only work 66 hours per week among all recipents if you have more than one. I would advise them to get multiple providers, one or more can also be a live-in and take advantage of the income tax break.
The approval, if there are no issues (e.g. questionable background checks that include things from this list.), can be done in 30-60 days
Not sure where you got 10 hours as your number as the least anyone I’ve worked with had at least 50. And if either of you were denied, then neither of you would have hours. You can be a provider on your own accord. She can be a recipient and anybody that’s on the registry can be her provider, you or otherwise.
https://www.cdss.ca.gov/in-home-supportive-services
Eligibility criteria for all IHSS applicants and recipients:
How the program works:
Application for services (PDF)
Provider resources
Appealing provider denials
I’ve seen the entire process take under two months.
Mine took six the first time, then 90 days the second time. They are hopelessly understaffed. They cannot pivot fast enough for some situations. The last time I was disqualified because I can walk. They refused to look at the rest of my health issues that render housework almost impossible for me. But a diagnosis of cancer will get you help. I hope this works out. For me, I am really angry.
Appeal it. That is your right. You can also request that another staffer take a look and especially if the condition of yourself changes. Also, have support from your doctor who recommends it. Like I said, it can be 30-60 days if no issues. And yes, some do take longer, but it’s a give-and-take type of arrangement to verify things; If you take too long on applications, it takes them longer to process. I also know that IHSS has staff job openings if someone wants a government job rather than a provider one, but if the shutdown continues, a whole slew of things will be in trouble.
Being able to walk (ambulatory) isn’t an automatic disqualifier (one of my clients walks just fine, but has another disability that keeps them close to home). And In-home care varies. There’s a two-page list of what a recipient needs or is OK with, and they use that metric to establish hours.. That’s what the home visits establish. If you have DMEs or Durable Medical Equipment, such as an oxygen generator, or need a walker or something that interferes with your mobility, that helps too. IHSS, by design, is to help people be independent, safely in their own homes. It is not convalescent care and isn’t really intended to be. That typically goes beyond the scope of care and even the skills of the provider.
Cancer helps, as that’s a near-instant disability due to all that comes with surviving it and treatment. Chemo and radiation are an absolute bitch. It’s hit my family more than once.
I’m very sorry you’re angry. You aren’t the only one who’s run into walls with them sometimes, but just be diligent in your efforts and have the support of your doctor, and if necessary, appeal the decisions or request another home visit/review. There is a fix to things; you have to be persistent. Good luck. Hope it works in your favor.
I am trying everything that I can.
Lovely photo!
IHSS 707 476-2100 opt #2
I am a provider and if she has Partnership or Medical she qualifies for it and to become a provider you would need to sign up as well. Start your process now as a provider and if you live with her you do not pay any taxes on the income.
Ihss isn’t accepting any new hires at the monetary because of trump