The state of California will start paying home health workers overtime beginning February.
The decision by the Department of Social Services could benefit more than 400,000 in-home supportive services workers.
The U.S. Department of Labor issued a regulation allowing overtime pay for home care workers in 2013. But it was on hold due to legal challenges from the home care industry.
Last month, a federal appeals court ruled in favor of the overtime regulation.
"Bravo," said home-health worker Brooks Ashby who takes care of his elderly mother in San Diego.
“I think it’s about time," Ashby said. "This is an old program. It’s been here for a very long time, for 30 years, and we’ve never had it. And it’ll help out a whole lot.”
Ashby and other in-home supportive services workers in San Diego make $9.85 an hour. They’ll start collecting $14.77 an hour for overtime next February.
Home care workers care for the elderly or people with disabilities in their homes. Those in need of in-home supportive services apply to the state's program. If accepted, the person receiving the services hires the home care worker.
