Bet Tzedek helps clients with a variety of state and federal benefits programs:

• Social Security
• Medi-Cal
• Medicare
• SSI/Disability
• In-Home Supportive Services
• Veterans’ Benefits
• CalWORKS
• Food stamps
• WIC
• Adoption Assistance, KinGAP

Bet Tzedek represents clients in appeals, helps clients to apply for benefits, and identifies appropriate programs. As the Mrs. Alvarez cases illustrates, our staff sometimes does all of the above.

Mrs. Alvarez (not her real name) is 63 years old and severely disabled from the complications of diabetes. She has had both legs amputated, is blind and on kidney dialysis. Her son moved her into his one-bedroom guesthouse and has been caring for her there since April 2004. Her son was unable to continue working because she needed constant care.

Family Caregiver Project paralegal Kim Williams suggested they apply for the Cash Assistance for Immigrant program (CAPI) and In Home Supportive Services (IHSS), which provides home attendant care. She also suggested they apply for the Medi-Cal Nursing Home Waiver program.

Mrs. Alvarez applied for IHSS but was denied because she had no verifiable income and relied upon family members’ generosity to pay for food and other necessities. After a short delay, CAPI approved Mrs. Alvarez’ application for cash assistance, meaning that she now had verifiable income. Kim called IHSS and again requested benefits.

IHSS again refused, stating that the program is for those living in their own home. CAPI had made a mistake in their approval process and listed Mrs. Alvarez as residing in a board-and-care facility. Although the IHSS worker personally met with Mrs. Alvarez in her home and knew she was living there, the worker refused to provide IHSS services until CAPI changed their benefits code. Worst of all, the IHSS worker also refused to call CAPI to clarify the situation.

Kim then spent several days in phone calls to get CAPI to fix their mistake. She finally was successful, and IHSS approved benefits. Mrs. Alvarez now receives 303 hours of attendant care per month. Her son now has a monthly stipend paid to him from Medi-Cal so he may care for Mrs. Alvarez in his home and keep her out of a nursing home.