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Grants for Disabled People in California

Grants for Disabled People in California

In California, there are state organizations dedicated to providing people with disabilities with the support they need to get by. Aid is given in the form of compensation and benefits, insurance, access, and rights for those who live with developmental impairments. Through the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the state government has established departments where you can get information and assistance services. This article discusses these forms of assistance offered to Californians with impairments.

State Assistance

The State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD) is a federally funded state agency in California that advocates for comprehensive community services and individualized support to ensure that developmentally disabled people are included in all aspects of society. Its goal is to ensure that California’s approximately 650,000 developmentally disabled residents receive the services and support they require to have equal access to opportunities as all Americans. It also collaborates with the state Department of Developmental Services, which provides services and funding to California residents through non-profit regional centers.

Among the services it offers are:

  • Housing
  • Employment 
  • Education and Early Intervention
  • Quality Assurance

Check out this website to learn more about this organization and its services http://www.allgov.com/usa/ca/departments/health-and-human-services-agency/state_council_on_developmental_disabilities?agencyid=138.

Housing Assistance for Disabled People in California

The Housing and Disability Advocacy Program (HDAP) helps people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless and are likely eligible for disability benefits by advocating for disability benefits and housing support. Among the services provided are:

  • Outreach
  • Disability benefits advocacy
  • Case management
  • Housing assistance i.e., shelter assistance, housing navigation, rental assistance, security deposits, case management, moving costs, utility payments, credit repair, and legal services

The program is open to individuals who are homeless and are likely to be eligible for disability benefits. It prioritizes men, women, and families who are chronically homeless and heavily rely on government-funded services. Check out this page for more information on the HDAP program and how to apply. https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/cdss-programs/housing-programs/housing-and-disability-advocacy-program.

Rent Assistance for Disabled People in California

The Section 811 Program is dedicated to providing rental support to disabled people. The goal is to enable them to live as independently as possible and buy partly covering their monthly rental payment. To qualify for program support, a household’s income must be at least 50% of the median income and at least one member should have a disability. More information is available at https://www.rihousing.com/section-811/.

Legal Assistance for Disabled People in California

Each court in California is assigned an Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator to help people living with disabilities with their legal issues. Find out more at https://www.courts.ca.gov/1077.htm#ADA_Americans_with_Disabilities_Act_Coordinators.

Food Assistance for Disabled People in California

The California Food Assistance Program (CFAP) is responsible for offering CalFresh food benefits, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), to elderly and disabled Californians. Read more about the program at https://www.cdss.ca.gov/calfresh.

Transportation Assistance for Disabled People in California

Paratransit is a transportation assistance program dedicated to serving individuals with disabilities in California. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), public transit agencies offer these services to disabled Californians. More details are available here.

Disability Insurance

When a qualified California employee is unable to work because of an illness, an accident, or a pregnancy that is not related to their line of work, disability insurance offers monetary assistance in the form of temporary wage replacement benefits. It does not, however, offer job protection. About 60 to 70 % (based on income) of wages earned five to eighteen months before the start date of a claim is included in the paid benefits. Benefits are paid for a maximum of 52 weeks. If it is determined that pregnant women are unable to perform their regular or routine job duties, they may be eligible for these benefits. Check out for more information on these benefits and to determine your eligibility https://edd.ca.gov/en/disability/disability_insurance/.

Medical Assistance for Disabled People

This is a healthcare program for men and women who have particular genetic diseases. It assists beneficiaries with medical costs and collaborates with doctors, pharmacists, nurses, and other healthcare providers to provide a wide range of health services. When applying, it is recommended that a copy of the previous year’s signed Federal Tax Form 1040 be included. The guardian’s tax return must be submitted for dependents. Failure to submit a complete, signed application with all required documentation will result in an inability to enroll in the program, renew program eligibility, or authorize services beyond the program’s eligibility periods. For more information, check out https://cahealthadvocates.org/low-income-help/medi-cal-for-people-with-medicare/.

Assistance for Disabled Seniors

The Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver program assists disabled seniors who prefer to live at home or in non-medical facilities rather than in a nursing home. These waivers make use of special Medi-Cal eligibility rules that exempt or “waive” the income and property of the waiver person’s spouse or parent. To be qualified for the program, a senior citizen aged 50 years and older must take part in or request participation in the HCBS program. To learn more about this waiver, check out https://dpss.lacounty.gov/en/health/senior-disabled/hcbs.html.

In-Home Supportive Services

Parents or spouses are compensated under the In-Home Supportive Services Plus State Plan Option (IHSS+) to provide services to eligible Medi-Cal users. To qualify for the program, a person must be 65 years of age or older, blind or disabled, or be at risk of being admitted to an out-of-home care facility. A parent, a spouse, or a hired caregiver can offer these services. The option of obtaining advance pay plus a lunch allowance from a restaurant may be available to recipients. More information about this program is available at https://www.cdss.ca.gov/in-home-supportive-services.

The Aged, Blind, and Disabled Federal Poverty Level (FPL) Program provides full-scope benefits to seniors 65 and older who are blind or disabled, regardless of immigration status. Furthermore, an individual’s countable property or resources cannot exceed $130,000, and a couple’s $195,000. If they meet all other eligibility requirements, seniors over the age of 50 who are disabled or blind may also be eligible for these full-scope benefits. This program is available based on income limits. Visit to learn more about this program at https://dpss.lacounty.gov/en/health/senior-disabled/fpl.html.

Assistance for Disabled Veterans

The state of California offers a property tax exemption for disabled veterans. There are two levels of tax exemptions available;

  • Basic: a $100,000 exemption, compounded every year by an inflation rate, is available to all qualified claimants.
  • Low-income: An exemption of $150,000 is available to eligible claimants whose household income per year does not go beyond a specific threshold. 

Visit to learn more about this https://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-state-benefits/california-state-veterans-benefits.html. 

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) provide physically and mentally disabled veterans with a variety of benefits. VA provides two programs;

  • Service-connected disability compensation: eligibility requirements include the veteran not being dishonorably discharged, becoming disabled in the line of duty, and the disability not being caused by their actions (i.e., drug and alcohol abuse). Payments are determined by impacted body systems and cognitive impairments and are disbursed in 10% increments up to 100%.
  • Pension benefits: To be eligible, a veteran must have served on active duty during the war, have a low income, and suffer permanent disability. Their disability doesn’t need to be connected to their service in the military. 

Charities/Nonprofits Assistance

The Wayfinder Family Services

Formerly known as Junior Blind, Wayfinder Family Services provides individualized support and services to children in foster care, men and women who have developmental disabilities, or special medical needs. Each year, it provides services to 19,661 beneficiaries and runs the following programs;

  • Residential
  • Independence
  • Workforce development
  • Mental health 
  • Early intervention
  • Special education
  • Recreation
  • Foster care
  • Adoption

Learn more about Wayfinder Family Services at https://www.wayfinderfamily.org/.

The East Los Angeles Remarkable Citizens Association 

This organization is dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities and their families by offering high-quality programs in a compassionate and caring setting. It serves over 200 families, and its programs include;

  • Support for the developmentally disabled people
  • Adult day health care 
  • Day programs
  • Transportation services

Find out more about this program at http://elarcainc.org/.

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