Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy (HICAP) offers free local, individualized information and advocacy for Medicare beneficiaries and individuals becoming eligible within the next six months. Provides assistance to seniors or disabled persons with Medicare issues, including denials and appeals, supplemental insurance, and long term care insurance.

Volunteer HICAP Medicare counselors provide free, unbiased, and individualized counseling by appointment only.

• Nevada County appointment line: 530-258-6827
• Placer County appointment line (through Seniors First): 530-889-9500

HICAP aims to return phone messages within 2 business days, but it may be longer.

HandsOn Sacramento provides an online database for connecting volunteers with organizations seeking volunteers.

The Regional Center for Volunteerism-HandsOn Sacramento Disaster Services Program manages and supports volunteers and donations in disaster for four counties: Sacramento, El Dorado, Placer and Yolo. It serves as the Emergency Volunteer Center in times of disaster - https://www.handsonsacto.org/EVC.

Below are links to the Disaster and Emergency Services Programs.

Web pages

• Home - https://www.handsonsacto.org/EVC
• Emergency Volunteer Center (EVC)/ Emergency Volunteer Management - https://www.handsonsacto.org/EVC
• Emergency Volunteer Corps - https://www.handsonsacto.org/opportunity/a0CA000000Cqg8tMAB?id=a0CA000000Cqg8tMAB
• Sacramento Region Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) - https://www.handsonsacto.org/VOAD
  

Be My Eyes provides free video support at a moment’s notice. Every day, sighted volunteers and professionals lend their eyes to solve tasks big and small to assist blind and low-vision people through a live video call.

How It Works

• Anyone 17 or older may sign up as a visually impaired user or volunteer.
• Calls are connected based on daytime timezone and language. The average wait time is about 15 seconds.
• When a call is answered, a live one-way video (two-way audio) is initiated, allowing volunteers or company representatives to see what’s in front of the user’s camera and provide verbal support. Note: Specialized Help availability varies by region and company opening hours.
  
  

Web pages

• Home - https://www.bemyeyes.com/

Angel Flight West delivers health and hope using donated flights to serve those with healthcare or other compelling human needs. In the air, Angel Flight West links volunteer pilots and commercial airlines with people whose non-emergency health needs require long-distance travel to access care. On the ground, volunteer drivers ferry passengers to and from their departure and destination airports.

If you have a scheduled medical appointment or are ready to travel for one of their other approved travel reasons, request your flight now.

Web pages

• Home - https://angelflightwest.org/
• Request Your Flight - https://afids.angelflightwest.org/flight-request?sc=need-a-flight

Smile for a Lifetime Foundation provides free orthodontic treatment to qualifying people who may not otherwise be able to afford care. 

Services are offered through a network of volunteer orthodontists.

Web pages

• Home - https://www.smileforalifetime.org/

The American Bar Association provides legal assistance and resources for individuals and families affected by California wildfires.

Resources include:

• Disaster Legal Hotline: Free legal assistance for wildfire survivors.
  • Hotline Number: 415-575-3120
• Legal Aid Resources: Links to national and regional disaster legal aid organizations.
• FEMA Assistance Information: Guidance on applying for FEMA aid and locating Disaster Recovery Centers.
• Pro Bono Legal Support: Connection to volunteer attorneys through the ABA/Paladin National Disaster Pro Bono Portal.

Additional Information:

The hotline provides legal guidance on issues related to insurance claims, housing, employment, FEMA benefits, and more. 

Free legal help is available to people affected by declared disasters, regardless of income.

Web pages

• Home - https://www.americanbar.org/ 
• FEMA California Wildfires - https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4610
• FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers - https://egatew…

Mercy Medical Angels offers free or low-cost transportation for those who cannot afford travel to medical appointments. Assistance may include air and ground transportation for medically necessary, non-emergency care.

Services include:

• Commercial airline tickets for long-distance medical appointments
• Free flights with volunteer private pilots when available
• Bus or train tickets for regional or long-distance travel
• Prepaid gas cards for qualifying ground travel

All communication is handled through the website. No phone contact is available. Not affiliated with Mercy Medical Group or Dignity Health.

Web pages

• Home - https://www.mercymedical.org/

Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7 mental health support and crisis intervention through text messaging. 

Services are available in English and Spanish and are delivered by trained volunteer crisis counselors.

Services include:

• Offering immediate emotional support through text-based conversations
• Assisting with mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts
• Connecting people to local resources, when needed

Access methods:

• ENGLISH: Text HELLO to 741741 or message 443-SUPPORT on WhatsApp
• ESPAÑOL: Text HOLA to 741741 or message 442-AYUDAME on WhatsApp

Web pages

• Home - http://www.crisistextline.org/

MilTax, a service provided by the Department of Defense that uses a version of H&R Block’s tax software. It is available for free to active-duty service members as well as those in the Guard or Reserves, as well as their families. There are no income or tax form restrictions. 

You can also get free advice from a professional who understands tax issues specific to the military. The phone number is 800-342-9647, or you can live chat with them here. 

Connect With Military Tax Consultants
Have a question or need help starting? MilTax consultants are specially trained to help with unique tax situations specific to service members and their families. Reach out 24/7 to schedule a consultation at 800-342-9647. You can also get in-person support at a Volunteer Income Tax Support Assistance, VITA, office location. 

Web pages

• MilTax - https://www.militaryonesource.mil/financial-legal/tax-resource-center/miltax-military-tax-services