The state's ASM 120 assessment guidance addresses shared living arrangements and separately completed tasks. It gives examples involving meals, laundry, shopping, and common-area housework. The worker applies the policy to the assessed facts; this article is a preparation aid.
Keep personal assistance and household work separate
IADLs include tasks such as meal preparation, laundry, and light housework. They are different from hands-on ADLs such as bathing or dressing. Make separate notes so a long description of general household chores does not obscure the person's actual personal-care needs. See our guide to household tasks for the terms used on the site.
Describe the work before estimating minutes
A useful assessment note answers: what was done, who needed it, who else benefited, and whether the work was separate. Start with that description. Ask the worker how to record time rather than dividing it yourself and presenting the result as an approved amount.
| Task | Details to describe | Question for the worker |
|---|---|---|
| Meal preparation | Separate food, preparation steps, and who eats it | Which parts are shared? |
| Laundry | Separate loads, items, and care needs | How should separate work be documented? |
| Housework | Client's room versus common living areas | Which household members benefit? |
| Shopping | Shared purchases versus the client's separate shopping | Which details affect assessment? |
Use an ordinary day as your example
For illustration, imagine a caregiver cooks one dinner for everyone, then separately prepares the client's food for another meal. Those are two different descriptions. Write down what actually happened rather than labeling the entire day's cooking either “all shared” or “all separate.”
The same approach helps with laundry. A separate client-only load and a mixed household load should be described as they are. Do not change a routine merely to make an application appear stronger. The assessment should reflect the person's needs and the work genuinely performed.
Bring a task log to the assessment discussion
A short log can give structure to the conversation. For each relevant day, note the task, assistance needed, household members who benefited, and anything unusual. Avoid filling it with diagnoses or private details that do not help explain the care task.
Beside the log, keep a list of questions: Which tasks were assessed? Which were prorated? Which were treated as separate? What evidence would clarify a disputed description? Our assessment preparation guide explains the wider visit.
Check the written decision against your notes
After a decision, compare the task descriptions with the information you provided. If you believe the arrangement was misunderstood, identify the specific difference. “Laundry was described as shared, but these loads are client-only” gives the worker a concrete fact to review. Asking for a blanket increase without identifying the task leaves the disagreement unclear.
Keep the notice and ask the worker about the available review process and applicable deadlines. This guide does not calculate an entitlement or replace the decision notice. For a broader question about qualifying, start with the Home Help eligibility page.