Power Shutoff Resource Guide & How Disability Rights California Can Help You

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Power Shutoff Resource Guide & How Disability Rights California Can Help You

Disability Rights California is here to help you prepare yourself and your family for Public Safety Power Shutoffs.

Announcement

Power Shutoff Resource Guide & How Disability Rights California Can Help You

Disability Rights California can help you prepare yourself and your family for Public Safety Power Shutoffs. 

We can help you if you:

  1. Need help understanding the below information from California Health and Human Services (CHHS) Agency.
  2. Need to know where and how to get a backup battery or hotel vouchers.
  3. Have problems accessing information or other resources.
  4. Need to find an open pharmacy to help you fill your prescriptions.
  5. Have other disability related issues that come up during the power shut offs.

We can talk to you about your questions, determine how we can help, and get you the information that you need.

For assistance, please contact the Disability Rights California confidential intake line at 1-800-776-5746, or TTY: 1-800-719-5798, available 9:00 am - 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

Below please find information from California Health & Human Services (CHHS) Agency- Power Shutoff Resource Guide.

NEW HOTLINE AVAILABLE

A hotline is now available to help medically vulnerable Californians and health and community care facilities find resources in their communities during power shutoffs. Hotline-(833) 284-3473

During power shutoffs or potential power shutoffs, hotline assistance will be available 9:00am-9:00pm. Assistance is available in many languages. 711 Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) are available for individuals with hearing or speech related disabilities. You can find more information on 711 TRS here.

TOOLKITS

Planning for People with Access and Functional Needs: Download the Personal Emergency Plan so that you can prepare and be ready in the event you lose power. Having a plan is important for any emergency. To view the Personal Emergency Plan.

Emergency Supply Kit: Be prepared to use what you have on hand to make it on your own for at least three days, maybe longer. For more information, click here.

PRESCRIPTION DRUG GUIDE

If your prescription medications are low, get your refills prior to a public safety power shutoff, if possible. If you were unable to evacuate with your medications, a pharmacy should be able to assist you in obtaining your medication.

To find an open pharmacy during an active emergency, visit www.RxOpen.org, which has maps that include open and closed pharmacies. In addition to locations of American Red Cross shelters and infusion centers.

HEALTH, PUBLIC HEALTH, AND COUNSELING

CRISIS COUNSELING

Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.

SERVICES FOR SENIORS

The California Department of Aging contracts with and provides leadership and direction to Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) that coordinate a wide array of services to seniors and adults with disabilities. You can locate an AAA in your area by calling 1-800-510-2020; TTY 1-800-735-2929 or visit the website here.

SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

The California Department of Rehabilitation partners with a statewide network of Independent Living Centers (ILC) which provide services for people with disabilities. ILCs provide information and referral, peer counseling and support, individualized advocacy, and during emergency events can coordinate emergency preparedness, emergency assistive technology, and transition from temporary shelter. You can locate your local ILC on the Independent Living Center Directory or on the ILC Locator.

REGIONAL CENTER SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

Regional centers are nonprofit private corporations that contract with the Department of Developmental Services to provide or coordinate services and supports for eligible individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They have offices throughout California to provide a local resource to help eligible individuals and their families find, access, and in some cases pay for services and supports, including emergency supplies such as back-up power for medical equipment and other critical assistive technology devices. 

IN-HOME SUPPORTIVE SERVICES

Recipients of In-Home Supportive Services (IHHS) may receive services from their provider (or from another enrolled provider) even if evacuated from their primary residence. Recipients and providers of In-Home Supportive Services with questions regarding services impacted by a disaster should contact your county IHSS worker. For a list of county IHSS offices visit the website here.

GUIDE ON PREPARING MEDICAL DEVICES THAT REQUIRE ELECTRICITY

For home medical device users it is important that devices work during a power outage and that you have a plan in place to ensure you know what to do. This completed booklet will help you have an established plan to obtain and organize your medical device information, take necessary actions so that you can continue to use your device, have the necessary supplies for the operation of your device, and know where to go or what to do during a power outage. For more information, visit the Food and Drug Administration’s website.:

PUBLIC HEALTH INFORMATION

For information on public health concerns during a disaster you can contact 916-650-6416 or visit the California Department of Public Health website.

INSURANCE AND REPLACING DOCUMENTS

BIRTH, DEATH, MARRIAGE, AND OTHER VITAL RECORDS

The California Department of Public Health is working with those who have lost vital records as a result of the disaster. Birth, death, and marriage records should be requested from the county recorder’s office in the county where the event occurred (visit California Department of Public Health for a list of county recorders). Or you may call 916-445-2684; call 711 for Telecommunications Relay Services, or 1-800-735-2929 or visit the website here.

LOST PRESCRIPTIONS, MEDICAL ID CARD, OUT OF PLAN COVERAGE

The California Department of Managed Health Care can assist individuals who are experiencing problems obtaining health care services by speeding up approvals for care, replacing lost prescription and ID cards, or arranging health care at other facilities if a hospital or doctor’s office is not available due to a disaster. Members should first contact their health plans, but if they have problems obtaining services or assistance from a plan, they can also contact the Department of Managed Health Care’s Help Center at 1-888-466-2219 or at www.HealthHelp.ca.gov.

HEALTH CARE AND COVERAGE (MEDI-CAL)

Medi-Cal is a public health insurance program that provides comprehensive medical, dental and vision care coverage to low-income individuals, including families with children, seniors, persons with disabilities, pregnant women and low-income people with specific diseases, such as tuberculosis, breast cancer or HIV/AIDS. You can apply in person at your Local County Office: http://dhcs.ca.gov/COL, apply by phone at (800) 300-1506, or apply online at: http://www.coveredca.com or http://www.benefitscal.com/.

SHELTER AND HOUSING ASSISTANCE

EMERGENCY SHELTER

For emergency shelter information contact the Red Cross at: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/find-an-open-shelter.html

CALWORKs HOMELESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The CalWORKs Homeless Assistance Program is available to homeless families who are eligible for or receiving CalWORKs benefits. The program can provide financial assistance to pay for up to 16 days in a motel. To find out how to apply for assistance, contact your county at: www.cdss.ca.gov/County-Offices.

CALWORKs HOUSING SUPPORT PROGRAM

Most counties operate a CalWORKs Housing Support Program, which can offer homeless CalWORKs recipients a range of financial assistance including moving expenses, security and utility deposits, and rental subsidies. It also provides rental housing search assistance. To find out how to apply for the program, contact your county.

FOOD AND OTHER BASICS

CALFRESH

CalFresh provides ongoing food assistance to people with low-incomes through monthly benefits on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card which can be used to purchase food at authorized grocery stores and farmer’s markets. If your food spoiled due to a power outage, you can request a replacement of your CalFresh Food benefits. For the extensive power outages that occurred in early October 2019, you have until November 8, 2019 to request the replacement. Contact your local county office for help. For assistance, call 1-877-847-3663 (FOOD) or come in/find an office at CalFreshFood.org.

WOMEN, INFANTS, AND CHILDREN (WIC) SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION PROGRAM

The WIC program is available to pregnant women and young children regardless of immigration status. The WIC program helps low-to-moderate-income pregnant women, new mothers and their babies, and young children to eat well and stay healthy. WIC provides resources to buy healthy foods such as milk, juice, eggs, cheese, fruits, vegetables, baby foods and whole grains; Information about nutrition and health; Breastfeeding support and referrals to health care and community services. For more information, call 1-888-942-9675 or visit the website here and click on “Find a Local WIC Agency” under Program Information.

FOOD BANKS

Food Banks throughout California can provide relief to families affected by the wildfires by providing them with emergency food assistance at no cost. Locate a food bank in your area.

CALWORKs

CalWORKs provides cash aid to eligible needy California families to help pay for housing, food, and other necessary expenses. If you are a “non-eligible immigrant” and not seeking CalWORKS benefits for yourself, you should be able to get assistance for your children if they are U.S. citizens or eligible immigrants. For more information about this program, visit the cash aid website or apply online at: www.benefitscal.org. You may also contact your local county welfare/social services department.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

CALIFORNIA OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES

The California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is responsible for overseeing and coordinating emergency preparedness, response, recovery and homeland security activities within the state of California. The Cal OES website includes information on how individuals and families can prepare for an emergency. Visit the Cal OES website for more information.

POWER OUTAGE AND FIRE RESPONSE RESOURCES

The State of California is providing resources to help Californians impacted by the unique challenges brought on by wildfire and power shutoffs. For more information visit: https://response.ca.gov/

RESOURCE CHECKLIST

Use this handy checklist to prepare for the next PSPS or any other emergency.