Benefits/Individual Advocacy
Lily Sanchez
Benefits Advocate
Ph. (213) 627-0477 ext. 214
E-mail: lsanchez@calif-ilc.org
Must make appointment prior to visit.
Housing Advocacy
Michael Martinez
Housing Advocate
Ph. (213) 627-0477 ext. 204
E-mail: mtmartinez@calif-ilc.org
Must make appointment prior to visit.
Provide assistance for persons with disabilities with landlord-tenant disputes, applications for Section 8 and other public housing programs; assist consumers with reasonable accommodation requests in public housing. We provide information and referral to various affordable housing programs in the City and County of Los Angeles.
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Tenant & Landlord Conflict Resolution
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Deinstitutionalization and Diversion
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Olmstead and Transition
The goal of Benefits Counseling or Advocacy is to assist individuals with disabilities in resolving issues related to the acquisition of services or benefits. In most cases, the Benefits Advocate may actually represent the consumer in their appeals or hearings with the Social Security Office or other government entities in assisting them in finding resolution to issues; however, consumers may also be referred to an attorney when professional assistance is needed.
The services rendered by the Benefits Advocate are, but not limited to:
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Assistance with Disability Benefits under the Social Security Administration
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Representation for people who have difficulties with government agencies servicing the disabled community
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In Home Supportive Services application process and representing with appeals
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Work Inclusion Programs
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Medical and Medicare Insurance Health Coverage
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General Relief and Food stamps information.
Among the Benefits that is eligible for people with disabilities are the employment programs below:
Ticket-to-Work and Work Incentive Act (TWWIA)
The Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999, also referred to as Public Law 106-170, or by its acronym TWWIIA, was designed to increase beneficiary choice, remove barriers, and provide greater opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in the workforce and lessen their dependence on public benefits. For more information, please click here:
http://www.workworld.org/wwwebhelp/ticket_to_work_and_work_incentives_improvement_act_of_1999.htm
Plan to Achieve Self Support, also known as a "PASS", is a program offered to the US citizens by the Social Security Administration (SSA) for disabled or blind individuals who receive or could qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). A PASS can help an individual achieve an employment goal or start a business. For more information about a PASS and other ways SSA helps beneficiaries with disabilities return to work, see the following links:
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Self Support site Working While Disabled -- A Guide To Plans For Achieving Self-Support
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socialsecurity.gov The Redbook, General description of SSA disability-related policies
250% Working Disabled
The Working Disabled Program allows certain individuals to become eligible for Medi-Cal by paying low monthly premiums based on countable income. To qualify, individuals must meet the following criteria: 1. Continuously meet the federal definition of disability, without regard to ability to perform substantial gainful activity; 2. Have net family income of less than 250 percent of the federal poverty level; and 3. Would be eligible to receive Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary program benefits if it weren’t for their earnings. Click here for more information.
Updated 3/2/18
Assists individuals with disabilities in the selection, acquisition or use of assistive technology including the evaluation of AT need, providing guidance and counseling as to where to buy the proper item from the right vendors. Assistive Technology refers to devices that are used for communication, mobility, audio-visual and environmental controls, home modification or ergonomic designs at work and at home.
AT Reuse Program - The AT Reuse Program is intended to support increased reassignment of used devices to new individuals who can benefit from the devices. Under the AT Reuse Capacity Building Grant, CALIF reassigns assistive technology devices including durable medical equipment, communication devices, vision products, hearing products, mobility products or other assistive devices.
CALIF Communication Center is an administered program under Assistive Technology by CALIF through a grant awarded by California Communication Access Foundation (CCAF) in March 2011.
The CALIF Communication Center was put into operation to provide access to equipment, tools, and ways of connecting and better communication for people with disabilities. With this program, CALIF aims to expand our resources and provide quality services in utilizing the Communication Center for individuals, groups and all people with disabilities including seniors to access ‘high-tech’ or ‘low-tech’ information.
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AT Education & Outreach
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Assistive Technology (AT) Reuse Program
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Positive Wheels: manual and motorized wheelchair repair
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CALIF Communications Center (AT Grant Fund thru California Communications Access Foundation (CCAF)
Link: http://www.atnet.org
Device Lending Library (AT Grant thru Edison International)
Device Lending Library (AT Grant thru Edison International's Community Contribution, has extended to CALIF for the two years, Community Grants that has helped boost CALIF's AT Department.) allows people with disabilities and seniors to borrow a device from the CALIF Device Lending Library to try before they purchase, compare similar devices, or use while consumers' device is being repaired or parts are replaced under Positive Wheels Project, also under the CALIF AT ReUse Program.