Disability Rights California provides free legal and advocacy services to Californians with disabilities including individual advocacy, self advocacy, training, and class action litigation.

Augments trainings with hundreds of free publications, available via the website, written to help people learn how to obtain the services and support they need.

Web pages

• Home - https://www.disabilityrightsca.org/
• Get help (what DRC can and cannot help with) - https://www.disabilityrightsca.org/get-help
• Self-advocacy resources - https://www.disabilityrightsca.org/publications

What is a Representative Payee (Rep. Payee)?

A Representative Payee is an individual or organization that the Social Security Administration (SSA) appoints to receive and manage the RSDI (Retirement, Survivors, and Disability Insurance), SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance), or SSI (Supplemental Security Income) benefits of another person, also referred to as a beneficiary. A rep. payee must use the benefits they receive for the use and benefit, and in the best interest of, the beneficiary.

What does the Office of Payee Review & Beneficiary Assistance (OPRABA) do?

• Reviews of Rep. Payees
• Educational Visits
• Initial Onsite Assessment of Fee for Service Organizations
• Corrective Action Plans
• Trainings
• Information and Referral to Beneficiaries

How can OPRABA help?

• If you suspect that a rep. payee is misusing or improperly using a beneficiary’s funds, contact OPRABA.
• If you have a rep. payee and would like to learn how to be your own payee, contact OPRABA.
• If you are a rep. payee…

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California Braille and Talking Book Library offers free services to anyone who can't read standard print materials because of a physical disability including those who can't hold a book.

California State Library services:

• CA State Library specializes in providing library services to individuals with visual impairments
• CA State Library loans braille, cassette and digital talking books, magazines and playback equipment to Northern Californians unable to read conventional print

Web pages

• Home - https://www.library.ca.gov/btbl/

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects people with disabilities from discrimination.  See below for info about service animals and emotional support animals. There is no official registry for service animals or emotional support animals, but some businesses, etc may request a letter explaining why an emotional support animal is needed.

California law allows persons with disabilities to bring trained service dogs and psychiatric service dogs, but not emotional support animals, to all public places.

Service Animals are:

• Dogs
• Any breed and any size of dog
• Trained to perform a task directly related to a person’s disability

Service animals are not:

• Required to be certified or go through a professional training program
• Required to wear a vest or other ID that indicates they’re a service dog
• Emotional support or comfort dogs, because providing emotional support or comfort is not a task related to a person’s disability

A public place can ask only two questions to determine if a p… [read more]

USA.gov provides information about the United States government and its programs. Call USA.gov at 844-872-4681 (844-USA-GOV1) to ask any question about the US government for free. They'll get you the answer or tell you where to find it. They are open from 5am to 5pm Pacific Time, Monday through Friday, except federal holidays. Or visit usa.gov

• About the United States - Have a question about the USA? Learn where to find answers to the most requested facts about the United States of America.
• Benefits, Grants, Loans - Learn about government programs that provide financial help for individuals and organizations. Includes info on getting help with paying bills.​
• Consumer Issues - Learn how to be a safe consumer, what to do when a purchase or service goes wrong, and more.
• COVID-19 - Learn about the types of assistance the federal government offers people and businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Disability Services - Find information for people with disabilities.
• Disasters and Emerge…

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The Women Veterans Call Center (WVCC) staff is trained to provide women Veterans, their families, and caregivers about VA services and resources.

If you have questions or can't find what you're looking for, you can call, text, or chat online with the Women Veterans Call Center (WVCC) at 855-829-6636 to get help and find available resources and services in your area. Trained women representatives can also:

• Provide you with information on enrolling in VA health care if you have not already
• Provide you with information on setting up a medical appointment in your area
• Provide you with information about your eligibility (including questions about disability ratings) and other VA benefits like employment, education, and home loans
• Connect you with your local VA Medical Center or local women's health contact who can assist in coordinating all the services you need

Web pages

• Women Veterans Call Center- https://womenshealth.va.gov/
• Chat online - productionchat.vrm.vba.va.gov/system/templates/cha…

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