HEALTH, PUBLIC HEALTH, AND COUNSELING
CRISIS COUNSELING
Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
SERVICES FOR SENIORS
The California Department of Aging contracts with and provides leadership and direction to Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) that coordinate a wide array of services to seniors and adults with disabilities. You can locate an AAA in your area by calling 1-800-510-2020; TTY 1-800-735-2929 or visit the website at: http://www.aging.ca.gov/ProgramsProviders/AAA/AAA_Listing.aspx.
IN-HOME SUPPORTIVE SERVICES
Recipients of In-Home Supportive Services (IHHS) may receive services from their provider (or from another enrolled provider) even if evacuated from their primary residence. Recipients and providers of In-Home Supportive Services with questions regarding services impacted by a disaster should contact your county IHSS worker. For a list of county IHSS offices visit the website at: http://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/County-IHSS-Offices.
PUBLIC HEALTH INFORMATION
For information on public health concerns during a disaster you can contact 916-650-6416 or visit the California Department of Public Health website at: http://www.bepreparedcalifornia.ca.gov.
REPLACING DOCUMENTS AND INSURANCE
BIRTH, DEATH, MARRIAGE, AND OTHER VITAL RECORDS
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is working with those who have lost vital records as a result of the disaster. Birth, death, and marriage records should be requested from the county recorder’s office in the county where the event occurred (visit https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/Pages/County-Registrars-and-Recorders.aspx ( for a list of county recorders). Or you may call 916-445-2684; call 711 for Telecommunications Relay Services, or 1-800-735-2929 or visit at: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/Pages/Vital-Records.aspx.
LOST PRESCRIPTIONS, MEDICAL ID CARD, OUT OF PLAN COVERAGE
The California Department of Managed Health Care can assist individuals who are experiencing problems obtaining health care services by speeding up approvals for care, replacement of lost prescription and ID cards, or quick arrangement of health care at other facilities if a hospital or doctor’s office is not available due to a disaster. Members should first contact their health plans, but if they have problems obtaining services or assistance from a plan, they can also contact the Department of Managed Health Care’s Help Center at 1-888-466-2219, or at: www.HealthHelp.ca.gov.
HEALTH CARE AND COVERAGE (MEDI-CAL)
Medi-Cal is a public health insurance program that provides comprehensive medical, dental and vision care coverage to low-income individuals, including families with children, seniors, persons with disabilities, pregnant women and low-income people with specific diseases, such as tuberculosis, breast cancer or HIV/AIDS. You can apply in person at your Local County Office: http://dhcs.ca.gov/COL, apply by phone at (800) 300-1506, or apply online at: http://www.coveredca.com or http://www.benefitscal.com/.
SHELTER AND HOUSING ASSISTANCE
EMERGENCY SHELTER
For emergency shelter information contact the Red Cross at:
https://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/find-an-open-shelter.html
CALWORKs HOMELESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The CalWORKs Homeless Assistance Program is available to homeless families who are eligible for or receiving CalWORKs benefits. The program can provide financial assistance to pay for up to 16 days in a motel. To find out how to apply for assistance, contact your county at: www.cdss.ca.gov/County-Offices.
CALWORKs HOUSING SUPPORT PROGRAM
Most counties operate a CalWORKs Housing Support Program, which can offer homeless CalWORKs recipients a range of financial assistance including moving expenses, security and utility deposits, and rental subsidies. It also provides rental housing search assistance. To find out how to apply for the program, contact your county: www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/ CalWORKs/HPSCountyContactSheet10-2017.pdf?ver=2017-10-18-085905-137.
FOOD AND OTHER BASICS
CALFRESH
CalFresh provides ongoing food assistance to people with low-incomes through monthly benefits on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card which can be used to purchase food at authorized grocery stores and farmer’s markets. To find out how to apply for benefits in your county, please call the toll free number 1-877-847-3663 (FOOD) or apply online at: www. benefitscal.org/ For more information on CalFresh, visit the website at: www.calfresh.ca.gov
WOMEN, INFANTS, AND CHILDREN (WIC) SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION PROGRAM
The WIC program is available to pregnant women and young children regardless of immigration status. The WIC program helps low-to-moderate-income pregnant women, new mothers and their babies, and young children to eat well and stay healthy. WIC provides: Special checks to buy healthy foods such as milk, juice, eggs, cheese, fruits, vegetables, baby foods and whole grains; Information about nutrition and health; Breastfeeding support and referrals to health care and community services. For more information, call 1-888-942-9675 or visit the website at: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CFH/DWICSN/Pages/Program-Landing1.aspx and click on “Find a Local WIC Agency” under Program Information.
CALWORKs
CalWORKs provides cash aid to eligible needy California families to help pay for housing, food, and other necessary expenses. If you are a “non-eligible immigrant” and not seeking CalWORKS benefits for yourself, you should be able to get assistance for your children if they are U.S. citizens or eligible immigrants. For more information about this program, visit the cash aid website at: http://www.cdss.ca.gov/CalWORKs or apply online at: www.benefitscal.org. You may also contact your local county welfare/social services department at: http://www.cwda.org/links/chsa.php