Almost half access CalFresh and/or food banks, alarming survey shows
Sonoma County, CA—Sonoma In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) providers—members of SEIU Local 2015, the nation’s largest long-term care union, and California’s largest labor union representing more than 470,000 nursing home workers and home care providers—are renewing their call for higher wages and better benefits.
Sonoma County IHSS providers are essential workers who make just $17.35 an hour. MIT estimates that the county living wage is $27.15 for a single person with no children and $49.33 for a single person with one child.
Recent polling has revealed Sonoma County in-home care workers are facing dire challenges that prevent them from making ends meet, accessing medical care, paying for housing, and feeding their families:
- Working Multiple Jobs: Nearly 80% report working multiple jobs – at least some of the time – just to make ends meet.
- Requiring Public Assistance: More than a third (35%) currently utilize public assistance to survive in Sonoma County.
- Food Insecurity: Almost half (44%) experience consistent food insecurity, relying on CalFresh and/or food banks at least monthly.
- Housing Insecurity: More than half (53%) have difficulty paying their mortgage or rent each month, reporting that they are sometimes or always late with payments. Almost half spend at least 50% of their income on housing, and 15% spend more than 75%.
- Barriers to Healthcare: 45% of respondents are sometimes or often unable to access medication because they cannot afford the cost of prescriptions, and 45% are sometimes or often prevented from visiting the doctor due to concerns about cost.
“I have three jobs right now because I just don’t get paid enough. Along with being an IHSS provider, I also work about 32 hours a week at Whole Foods and run my own online business,” said Sonoma IHSS Provider Terri Jo Bolsinger. “It’s very difficult and sometimes I have to leave work immediately to take my client to the crisis center or emergency room. He texts and calls me frequently because he needs me, and I can’t always be there for him because of how much I have to work.” Click here to read Terri Jo’s full story.
These working conditions contribute to high turnover and a severe shortage of caregivers in Sonoma County. Last year, more than 1 million authorized hours of care for people in need in Sonoma County went unused, indicating a caregiver shortage fueled by low wages. From 2010 to 2060, there is expected to be over a 144% increase in the numbers of seniors over the age of 60 in Sonoma County (source). The demand for care is exploding as the county ages.
“They leave because ultimately if you can’t make a career and a living wage out of caregiving in the same way that you can with other fields, you can only hold on for so long,” said Sonoma IHSS Provider Andrea Loveday-Brown. “Offering such a small amount of money for such an essential job is disrespectful. It’s further marginalizing folks who are already having a hard time surviving.” Click here to read Andrea’s full story
Investing in the IHSS program could benefit Sonoma County in many ways. Providing IHSS workers a livable wage would bring an additional $580 million a year in state and federal funds into our community, creating jobs and increasing tax revenue. It would also attract and retain the caregivers that our county must have to meet the exploding need for home care.
Sonoma care workers have been appealing to the Board of Supervisors to demand an investment in county care infrastructure. The more than 6,000 IHSS providers need increased pay and improved benefits so they can continue their vital work supporting older adults and disabled community members in need of home care.
SEIU Local 2015 is committed to advocating for policies that support in-home care providers and those they care for, including livable wages and benefits, as well as access to training and professional development opportunities. To learn more about SEIU Local 2015 visit www.SEIU2015.org or on social media @SEIU2015.
Click here to read more stories from Sonoma County Providers and view campaign updates.