Resources

Lawyer Referral Service of Santa Cruz County

Nonprofit service to help the public get legal advice at a reasonable fee, certified by the State Bar of California and sponsored by the Santa Cruz County Bar Association.

(831) 425-4755
http://www.lawyerreferralsantacruz.org/

Senior Citizens Legal Services (SCLS)

Free legal services to eligible senior citizens of Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties. Note that SCLS rarely accepts cases involving wills and/or probate.

Santa Cruz: (831) 426-8824; Hollister: (831) 637-5458; Watsonville: (831) 728-4711
http://www.seniorlegal.org/

Alzheimer’s Association – Northern California and Northern Nevada

The leading, global voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care and support, and the largest private, nonprofit funder of Alzheimer research.

24/7 Helpline: (800) 272-3900; Santa Cruz office: (831) 464-9982
http://www.alz.org/norcal/

California Health Advocates

Medicare: policy, advocacy and education.

(916) 231-5110
http://www.cahealthadvocates.org/

Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP)

Free Medi-Care counseling, health insurance, and long-term care insurance information. Facilitated by California Health Advocates.

(800) 434-0222
http://www.cahealthadvocates.org/HICAP/

Senior Network Services

Provides senior citizens and persons with disabilities with information, guidance, and assistance in coordinating existing resources to promote independence and the highest quality of life. Serves Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties.

(831) 462-1433
http://www.seniornetworkservices.org/

Advocacy, Inc.

Facilitates the federal- and state-mandated Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program and the state-mandated Patients’ Rights Advocate Program. Advocacy, education, and intervention to protect the rights of facility-placed seniors, disabled persons, and individuals with mental health needs in Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties.

Santa Cruz: (831) 429-1913; San Benito: (831) 636-1638
http://www.advocacy-inc.org/

California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR)

Nursing home and Medi-Cal information.

(415) 974-5171; (800) 474-1116
http://canhr.org/

Health Projects Center

Health-related programs for health professionals and family caregivers. Hosts the Del Mar Caregiver Resource Center, the Santa Cruz Multipurpose Senior Services Program, and the Central Coast Area Health Education Center.

(800) 624-8304
http://www.hpcn.org/

Del Mar Caregiver Resource Center

Support and services for caregivers.
(831) 459-6639
http://www.delmarcaregiver.org

National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA)

A Non-profit association for attorneys specializing in Elder Law and Special Needs Law, with some general information for consumers.
(703) 942-5711
http://www.naela.org

U.S. Social Security Administration

The official website of the U.S. Social Security Administration. Provides information about retirement, disability, survivors benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Medicare.

Automated telephone service: (800) 772-1213, 24 hours/day; TTY for deaf/hard of hearing: (800) 325-0778, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday
http://www.ssa.gov/

California Department of Health Care Services – Medi-Cal

Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid health care program. This program pays for a variety of medical services for qualified children and adults with limited income and resources.

Santa Cruz: (831) 454-4165, Watsonville: (831) 763-8500; San Benito County: (831) 636-4180
http://www.medi-cal.ca.gov/