Tips and Resources for Survivors of the LA Wildfires
BENEFITS
Benefit Finder Tools (What Benefits Are You Missing Out On?)
Find Resources – California Mental Health Services Authority (calmhsa.org)
- BenefitsCal – Apply for food (CalFresh), cash aid (CalWORKs, GA/GR, RCA, TCVAP), and health coverage benefits (Medi-Cal).
- WIC PreScreening Tool (usda.gov)
- California Resource Guide (californiadebtrelief.org)
- Do I Qualify? – Consumer | California Department of Aging – State of California
- Benefits & Services (ca.gov)
- California | USAGov
- California Dept. of Social Services
- California Health and Human Services
- Cities Within Each County – California State Association of Counties
- County Welfare Directors Association of California (cwda.org)
- California ⋆ Helping Americans Find Help
- Federally recognized Indian tribes and resources for Native Americans | USAGov
- The United States Social Security Administration | SSA
- United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
- National Immigrant Women’s Advocacy Project (NIWAP) – California Public Benefits
- Benefits and Resources for Undocumented Workers (ca.gov)
DIRECTORIES
- Find Services in My County – Consumer | California Department of Aging – State of California
- Call 211 for Essential Community Services | United Way 211
- findhelp.org by findhelp – Search and Connect to Social Care
- Carelike – Provider Search (communityresourcefinder.org)
- Information Resources Guide (ca.gov)
HOTLINES
- Lifeline (988lifeline.org) – Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
- LGBTQIA Resource Center – Support Hotlines (ucdavis.edu)
- Emergency Preparedness Office (ca.gov)
- Emergency Preparedness and Response Resources (ca.gov)
- CalHHS Emergency Resource Guide – California Health and Human Services
- California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services | California’s Emergency Services Leader
Local Alert Registration
APPS:
Search for Unclaimed Property (ca.gov)
FIND MISSING PERSON
- Detailed Missing Persons Search | State of California – Department of Justice – Office of the Attorney General
- Missing and Unidentified Persons Section | State of California – Department of Justice – Office of the Attorney General
- E-mail Subscriptions | State of California – Department of Justice – Office of the Attorney General
- National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (missingkids.org)
- At-Home COVID-19 Tests (usps.com) (Program restarts 9/26/24)
- ASPR COVID-19 Testing (covidtests.gov)
- My Turn – California Vaccine Scheduling & Notifications
- Digital Vaccine Record (ca.gov)
- COVID-19 California Department of Public Health
- Staying Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines | COVID-19 | CDC
- California Social Resource Database (caliresources.org)
- Disaster Relief Assistance for Immigrants (ca.gov)
- COVID-19: Resources for the Undocumented and Uninsured (norcalpublicmedia.org)
- COVID-19 | Tribal Affairs (ca.gov)
- Library Finder | CareerOneStop
- Services To the Public – California State Library
- Welcome to the California State Library – California State Library
- Free digital libraries, archives, and online academic and disability support resources – Low-Income Survivors to Thrivers
- Shelter Directory of Services in California | Office of Justice Programs (ojp.gov)
- CoC: Continuum of Care Program – HUD Exchange
HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS
- Housing Programs (ca.gov)
- Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) Initiative
- VA Homeless Programs
- Domestic Violence, Housing, and Homelessness – NNEDV
- Tribal Homelessness/Housing Funding Opportunities Overview 2023-2024 Published October 2023 (ca.gov)
- NAIHC Tribal Housing Assistance Resource Hub – National American Indian Housing Council
- OPPORTUNITY FOR FUNDING TO PREVENT AND END HOMELESSNESS FOR CALIFORNIA FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED TRIBES – California Grants Portal
- National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV)
- Rent Relief Resources | HUD.gov / U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
- Eviction cases in California | California Courts | Self Help Guide
HEALTH & HEALTH INSURANCE
- Medi-Cal Benefits
- California Medicaid (Medi-Cal) Eligibility: 2023 Income & Asset Limits (medicaidplanningassistance.org)
- ” Eliminating the Asset Test: California is in the process of eliminating the asset limit for all Medi-Cal programs for seniors and disabled persons. On 7/1/22, the asset limit was increased significantly, and on 1/1/24, it will be eliminated altogether. Until this time, it is vital that persons continue to avoid violating Medi-Cal’s 30-month Look-Back Period if Nursing Home Medicaid may be needed.”
- Adult-Expansion (ca.gov) – Ages 26 through 49 Adult Full Scope Medi-Cal Expansion| En Español
- Medi-Cal: PRUCOL (Permanently Residing Under Color of Law) — Mental Health Advocacy Services (mhas-la.org)
- OlderAdultExpansion (ca.gov): “Beginning May 1, 2022, a new law in California will give full scope Medi-Cal to adults 50 years of age or older and immigration status does not matter. All other Medi-Cal eligibility rules, including income limits, will still apply.”
- Medi-Cal | Covered California™
- Covered California™ | The Official Site of California’s Health Insurance Marketplace
- Medi-Cal Dental Portal
- Medi-Cal Managed Care Health Plan Directory
- Contact Us | Medi-Cal Managed Care Health Care Options
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services | CMS
- MMCD Office of the Ombudsman (ca.gov)
California Advancing & Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM)
- Find Healthcare Providers: Compare Care Near You | Medicare
- Medicare Savings Programs | Medicare
- Office of Medicare Innovation and Integration
- Supplemental Benefits in Medicare Advantage Plans in California, Contract Year 2023.pdf
- Alzheimer’s-disease-and-related-dementias (ca.gov)
- Medicare Counseling (HICAP) – Consumer | California Department of Aging – State of California
- HICAP – California Health Advocates (cahealthadvocates.org)
- Tribal Nations & Medicare – California Health Advocates
MEDI-MEDI (Medi-Cal + Medicare)
Per DHCS Stakeholders Email Communication on 10/13/23:
“Medi-Medi Plans Available During Medicare Open Enrollment
“During the upcoming Medicare open enrollment period (October 15 through December 7), Medicare-Medi-Cal Plans (Medi-Medi Plans) are available for enrollment in twelve counties (Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Mateo, and Santa Clara currently, as well as five new counties – Fresno, Kings, Madera, Sacramento, and Tulare – beginning on January 1, 2024). Medi-Medi Plans combine Medicare and Medi-Cal benefits and Medicare prescription drug benefits into one plan.
Approximately 45 percent of dually eligible members are enrolled in some type of Medicare Advantage plan. Enrollment in Medi-Medi Plans as of July 2023 is approximately 241,105 members. The benefits of Medi-Medi Plans include integrated materials, such as a single health plan card and one phone number to call for both Medicare and Medi-Cal benefits, leading to improved care coordination and support for members.
Medi-Medi Plans coordinate all benefits and services across both programs, including all Medicare-covered services, all Medi-Cal covered services, additional supplemental benefits, carved-out benefits (i.e., In-Home Supportive Services, Multipurpose Senior Services Program, Community-Based Adult Services, and dental), one care management team to coordinate care, and community supports offered by the Medi-Cal managed care plan.”
California Program of All-Inclusive Care For The Elderly Plans
- MyFreeTaxes by United Way | MyFreeTaxes
- Free Tax Filing via the Volunteer IRS Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) and Tax Counseling of the Elderly (TCE) Programs for qualifying taxpayers. Find out about program participation requirements and find a provider near you.
- AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Online Tax Assistance
- Apply for California Food Stamps Online | GetCalFresh.org
- Amazon.com – Pay with SNAP EBT
- Free Admission with California EBT (2023 Guide) – California Food Stamps Help (icaliforniafoodstamps.com)
- Find Food
- Find Your Local Food Bank | Feeding America
- FNS Nutrition Programs | Food and Nutrition Service (usda.gov)
- USDA Food and Nutrition Service | Food and Nutrition Service
- California Food Assistance Program (ca.gov)
- WIC Prescreening Tool (usda.gov)
- Nutrition – Learning Support (CA Dept of Education)
- Food & Nutrition – Consumer | California Department of Aging – State of California – (Find Services in My County – Consumer | California Department of Aging – State of California)
- Meals on Wheels America – (Find Services in My County – Consumer | California Department of Aging – State of California)
- Tribal Elderly Services in California – National Resource Center on Native American Aging (nrcnaa.org)
- Statewide Directory of Services for Native American Families – tribal_projects
- Resources | The Governor’s Office of Tribal Affairs (ca.gov)
- Tribal TANF (ca.gov)
- Tribal Nations & Medicare – California Health Advocates
- American Indian Maternal Support Services (AIMSS) Program (ca.gov)
- Native American Tribal Affairs | California Department of Housing and Community Development
- California Homeowner Assistance Fund – National American Indian Housing Council (naihc.net)
- My Advance Care Plan & Guide for Native Americans (nieji.org)
- Tribal Law and Policy Institute (tlpi.org)
- COVID-19 | Tribal Affairs (ca.gov)
- Movement Advancement Project | State Profiles (lgbtmap.org)
- Equality California – Largest Statewide LGBTQ+ Civil Rights Organization (eqca.org)
- LGBTQIA+ Resources – Government Alliance on Race and Equity (ca.gov)
- LGBTQ+ Health (ca.gov)
- californialgbtqhealth.org
- LGBTQ HHS Network – Health Access (health-access.org)
- LGBTQ+ | California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. (crla.org)
- Queer Life Space – Evidence-Based Training & Mental Health Services for the LGBTQIA+ Community – DESIGNED BY QUEER PEOPLE. FOR QUEER PEOPLE.
- LGBTQIA Centers | CSU (calstate.edu)
- LGBTQ+ @ California’s Community Colleges – (ccclgbt.org)
- Rural LGBTQ students face a different California – CalMatters
- LGBTQ+ Resource Centers | UCnet (universityofcalifornia.edu)
- Connect With a Professional – Find an LGBTQ Professional — RainbowBetter
CONTRACEPTION, PREGNANCY & SEXUAL HEALTH
EDD: Unemployment, Disability & Paid Family Leave
- Employment Development Department | California
- Unemployment Insurance (ca.gov)
- Claims (ca.gov)
- Additional Resources (ca.gov)
CHILD SUPPORT
VETERANS
- California Partnership to End Domestic Violence (cpedv.org)
- For Victims – CA Victim Compensation Board
- Human Trafficking | State of California – Department of Justice – Office of the Attorney General
CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES
- First 5 California’s Programs and Services to Support Families
- CalWORKs
- Program Eligibility (ca.gov)
- Childcare Program Eligibility (ca.gov)
- Help Paying for Child Care – Child Care Aware® of America
- Child Care Licensing
- Trustline: Database of nannies and baby-sitters that have cleared criminal background checks in California.
- Program Eligibility (ca.gov)
- Subsidized Programs (ca.gov)
- Foster Youth Resources (ca.gov)
- Kinship Care
- Adoptions (ca.gov)
- Child Protective Services (ca.gov)
FOSTER YOUTH & FOSTER CARE
- Transitional Housing Programs for Current and Former Foster Youth
- Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) Initiative
- Kinship Care
FOSTER YOUTH/FORMER FOSTER YOUTH/KINSHIP FAMILY RESOURCES
- The Family Telehealth Project (mental health)
- Advokids provides the only free telephone hotline offering legal information to anyone concerned about a child in foster care in California.
- Level All
- Dream Makers
- One Simple Wish
- EOH YOUTH — Echoes of Hope
- THE GEORGE & KATHY HICKER “CHAPTERS FOR SUCCESS” FUND — Echoes of Hope
- Technology Resources List – Casey Family Programs
- For Foster Youth — FOSTER NATION
- Sparks™ — FOSTER NATION
- Sponsor A Cause | Foster Love
FREE/LOW-COST EDUCATION
- California Department of Education
- Calbright College: Free Online Certificate Programs in California
- Free community college: California schools add perks – CalMatters
- The world’s first tuition-free online university University of the People (uopeople.edu)
- Free College for Seniors – CARA (californiaalliance.org)
INMATE LOCATORS
- Jail Exchange: “Jail Exchange has every Inmate Search in America and every Jail, Prison and Detention Center. You can find Arrests, Criminals, Courts, Laws, Most Wanted, and Family Help information.”
- How to visit or send money to a prisoner | USAGov
- CDCR Public Inmate Locator Disclaimer
- How to look up prisoners and prison records | USAGov
- Online Detainee Locator System (ice.gov)
- About CDCR – CA Dept. of Corrections and Rehabilitation
IMMIGRANT, REFUGEE, & ASYLEE RESOURCES
- Immigration Services (ca.gov)
- Finding Help with Immigration (ca.gov)
- Refugees (ca.gov)
- NIWAP Web Library (american.edu)
- DB101 California – Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI): The Basics
CASH DISABILITY-FAMILY LEAVE RESOURCES
- Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants
- SDI Online (ca.gov)
- California Paid Family Leave
- Disability Benefits | SSA
- Benefit Finder Tools (What Benefits Are You Missing Out On?)
- Self-Advocacy Resources | Disability Rights California
- Check eligibility for benefits | SSA
- DB101 California – Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI): The Basics
- PUB 294 (October 2022) – ASSISTANCE DOG SPECIAL ALLOWANCE (ADSA) PROGRAM FACT SHEET (ca.gov)
- CA-Undocumented-Students-What-You-Need-to-Know-FINAL-April-2017_Jan2018.pdf (edtrust.org)
- DB101 California – Disability Benefits 101: Working with a Disability in California
- California Medicaid (Medi-Cal) Eligibility: 2023 Income & Asset Limits (medicaidplanningassistance.org)
- Medi-Cal In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Program (medicaidplanningassistance.org)
- Medi-Cal Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS) Program (medicaidplanningassistance.org)
- In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Advocates Manual | Disability Rights California
- Home and Community-Based (HCB) Alternatives Waiver (ca.gov)
- Waiver Personal Care Services FAQ (ca.gov)
- Waiver Personal Care Services Presentation May 2020 (ca.gov)
- Dignity At Home Fall Prevention Program – Consumer | California Department of Aging – State of California
- Financial Assistance for Home Care Supplies (payingforseniorcare.com) (Ex: incontinence supplies)
- CalABLE: CalABLE
- Ability Tools – Assistive Technology for Californians with Disabilities in Living Independently
- SDI Online (ca.gov)
- Community Living Fund – CA Department of Rehabilitation
- Web Accessibility Toolkit – CA Department of Rehabilitation
- ILRU Directory of Centers for Independent Living (CILs) and Associations | Independent Living Research Utilization
- Independent Locator | California State Independent Living Council
- Regional Centers – CA Department of Developmental Services
- CA Department of Developmental Services
- Self-Determination Program (SDP) – CA Department of Developmental Services
- CA Department of Rehabilitation
- Public Guardian – California State Association of Counties
- Social Security – Representative Payee Program (ssa.gov)
- Alzheimer’s Association | Donate to Fight Alzheimer’s Disease
- Traumatic Brain Injury Program Sites – CA Department of Rehabilitation
- Carelike – Provider Search (communityresourcefinder.org)
- Family Caregiver Alliance: Family Caregiver Services by State
- Fiduciary Home (va.gov)
- California DMV
- California’s Low-Cost Insurance (mylowcostauto.com)
- Donate Life California | Become an Organ, Eye & Tissue Donor
- California Voluntary Accelerated Vehicle Retirement Programs
- Disabled Person Parking Placards & Plates – California DMV
- Apply Online for a Driver License or ID Card – California DMV
- Renew Your Vehicle’s Registration – California DMV
- Kelley Blue Book | New and Used Car Price Values, Expert Car Reviews (kbb.com)
- Free Legal Help (ca.gov)
- Get free or low-cost legal help | California Courts | Self-Help Guide
- Legal Guide Pamphlets (ca.gov)
- LawHelpCA – Legal aid and legal help near you
- Immigrant Legal Resource Center | ILRC |
- Codes: Codes Tree – Welfare and Institutions Code – WIC (ca.gov)
- Tribal Law and Policy Institute (tlpi.org)
- Advokids provides the only free telephone hotline offering legal information to anyone concerned about a child in foster care in California.
- Find Services in My County – California Department of Aging – State of California
- Do I Qualify? – Consumer | California Department of Aging – State of California
- Explore Aging Resources from the State of California
- Benefit Finder Tools (What Benefits Are You Missing Out On?)
- Carelike – Provider Search (communityresourcefinder.org)
- Personalized Home & Dementia Care Services – Institute on Aging (ioaging.org)
- Tribal Elderly Services in California – National Resource Center on Native American Aging (nrcnaa.org)
- Tribal Nations & Medicare – California Health Advocates
- Dignity At Home Fall Prevention Program
- In-Home Supportive Services (ca.gov)
- Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly
- Multipurpose Seniors Services Program – Providers & Partners | California Department of Aging – State of California
- California Department of Aging – State of California
- Other Links and Partner Agencies (ca.gov)
- Social Services – Community Care Facility Search
- Find Healthcare Providers: Compare Care Near You | Medicare
- Medicare Counseling (HICAP) – Consumer | California Department of Aging – State of California
- California Medicaid (Medi-Cal) Eligibility: 2023 Income & Asset Limits (medicaidplanningassistance.org)
- Medi-Cal Information/ Estate Planning for Long-Term Care – CANHR
- CBAS Providers – Community-Based Adult Services | California Department of Aging – State of California
- CANHR Long-Term Care Justice and Advocacy
- Nursing Homes – CANHR
- Residential Care – CANHR
- Continuing Care Retirement Communities – CANHR
- Adult Care Licensing
- Social Services – Community Care Facility Search
- Adult Protective Services (APS) (ca.gov)
- Adult Protective Services Home Safe Program (ca.gov)
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman – Consumer | California Department of Aging – State of California
- Public Guardian – California State Association of Counties
- Areas Served – Rotary Home Team
- Caregiving 101: On Being a Caregiver – Family Caregiver Alliance
Social Isolation Reduction Resources
VIRTUAL CLASSES AND CONNECTIONS FOR OLDER ADULTS
- engAged: National Resource Center for Engaging Older Adults
- Healthy Connections – Family Eldercare “provides engaging activities for Lifetime Connections Without Walls, our virtual community for older adults across the country.”
- “The Senior Center without Walls Program provides online learning opportunities for seniors and holds four sessions a year in the Winter, Spring, Summer & Fall with classes listed in a corresponding catalog.”
- Well Connected and Well Connected Español “provide laughs, intellectual stimulation, inspiration, conversation and more, all via groups you can join from home, by phone or online.”
- AARP Virtual Community Center – “FREE interactive online events and classes designed for learning, self-improvement, and fun.”
- North Shore Senior Center – “Enjoy Lifelong Learning programs both Online at the Center!”
- Write Your Legal Will Online, Free & Simple | FreeWill
- Write Your Free CA Revocable Living Trust | FreeWill
- California Advance Directive Form | Everplans
- My Advance Care Plan & Guide for Native Americans (nieji.org)
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- California’s Low-Cost Insurance (mylowcostauto.com)
- California Weatherization Assistance Program
- Provider Search – California LifeLine
- EveryoneOn – Find Low-Cost Internet and Computers
- Affordable service programs | Broadband for All (ca.gov)
- Digital Access Project: Increasing Online Opportunities and Access for People with Disabilities.
- CARE and FERA enrollment (pge.com)
- Medical Baseline Program (pge.com)
- HUD.gov / U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) |
- Property Tax Exemptions (ca.gov)
- Home Repairs: California | HUD.gov / U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
- Single Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants in California | Rural Development (usda.gov)
- Housing Authorities on the Web: California | HUD.gov / U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
- Transitional Housing Programs for Current and Former Foster Youth
- Legal Assistance | HUD.gov / U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
- Contact HUD: California | HUD.gov / U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
- Home Repairs: California | HUD.gov / U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
- HUD Resource Locator
- AffordableHousing.com – Affordable Houses & Apartments For Rent
- Affordable Housing – All the resources you need to apply to affordable housing online.
- Determine the Best Housing Option For Me – Care Options | California Department of Aging – State of California
- Employment Development Department | California
- Local Help | CareerOneStop
- Workforce Development Board Finder | CareerOneStop
- Employment and Training Administration | U.S. Department of Labor (dol.gov)
- CalJOBS
- CalWORKS
- Equus Workforce Solutions Homepage (equusworks.com)
- YWCA In Your Community – YWCA USA
- SCSEP – Career Exploration for Older Workers (aarp.org)
- Employment Services – CA Department of Rehabilitation
- Eligible Training Provider List (ca.gov)
- O*NET OnLine (onetonline.org)
- Lifeline (988lifeline.org)
- Mental Health Services (ca.gov)
- NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness
- Find Resources – California Mental Health Services Authority (calmhsa.org)
- CalHOPE – California Mental Health Services Authority (calmhsa.org)
- Substance Use Disorder Services Directories (ca.gov)
- List of Top Drug & Alcohol Rehabs in California (addicted.org)
- Public Guardian – California State Association of Counties