Links to Help and Assistance

With Information on How to Advocate for Yourself

Help

If you are homeless in Contra Costa County Call the Homeless Hot Line: 1-800-799-6599 for shelter and referrals.  For other than shelter call 1-800-808-6444

NOTE FROM SUSAN PRATHER:  If you call the above number seeking shelter do not allow them to refer you to Fresh Start, even if you are located in the Walnut Creek area.  Fresh Start is a drop-in center.  We do not have access to County shelter beds.  That is what the Homeless Hotline is supposed to do for you.  I am sorry to say, most likely, you will be put on a waiting list or told to call back. 

There is a waiting list and a long wait for shelter in this County but you can ask for a referral to other shelters and/or other information that might help you.

The Street Sheet is available (Thank you, Shelter Inc.) in English and Spanish

Food

Loaves and Fishes  Dining rooms in Contra Costa County

Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano   A list of agencies in CCC and Solano hat will help with food (need to scroll down)

Applying for Benefits

Food Stamp Application  Fill out this form or as much of it as you can and take it to the Contra Costa County Department of Social Services office at 40 Muir Road, Martinez for Central County residents.  The office opens at 8:00 a.m. I suggest that you be there when it opens.   If you are hungry say "I would like to apply for emergency food stamps.  I am hungry TODAY."  If you are denied service or benefits call Bay Area Legal Aid at (510) 233-9954 or click on this link Bay Area Legal Aid.  The form that the above link takes you to is from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  Contra Costa County must accept this form, if not, call Bay Area Legal Aid. 

Do you qualify?  Who can apply?  This link will give you info on eligibility in Contra Costa County. From the main CCC page, go to the Health Services Department and type "Food Stamps" in the search box.

Food Stamp Application offices in Contra Costa County:

West County 1305 Macdonald Avenue Richmond, CA 94801 (510) 412-1900

Central County 40 Muir Road Martinez, CA 94553 (925) 313-1827

East County 4545 Delta Fair Boulevard Antioch, CA 94509 (925) 706-4760

Office hours in each location are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 12:00 Noon and 12:30 pm to 5:00 pm.

Applying for General Assistance  This link will take you to the Employment and Human Services website for Contra Costa County.  You can apply for General Assistance at any of the offices listed above.  This link will also lead you to information about CalWorks, Family and Children's Services, and other programs and benefits offered by this department.  Again, if you are denied or refused an opportunity to apply for benefits or are not served in a timely manner, call   Bay Area Legal Aid

Medical Coverage  This link will give you info on eligibility for medical coverage for adults (Basic Adult Care), families and children in Contra Costa County. From the main CCC page, go to the Health Services Department and type "Basic Adult Care" or "Health Care" in the search box.  Do not go to the Contra Costa County Health Plan. Do a search and find BASIC ADULT CARE.

Social Security  Apply for Disability SSI Social Security Retirement

The Hawkins Center  If you have been denied SSI benefits two or more times, call The Hawkins Center for an appointment.  They will advocate for you and assist you in obtaining benefits.

Applying for CA State Unemployment and Disability  This link will take you to the State of California Employment Development Department Website.  You can apply for benefits online or on the telephone.  To the right of the CA State EDD page there is a section called "Top Links."  You will usually find the links to Unemployment Insurance and State Disability in the column.  They also appear in Spanish.

Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Service Current information about Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Services for Veterans California State Department of Rehabilitation  Counseling, therapy and training for developmentally, mentally and physically disabled persons. Rehabilitation Services of Northern California 490 Golf Club Road Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 (925) 682-6343 (925) 682-6375 (Fax) Provides job training and development services to disabled individuals.

Worker's Compensation  Many people are injured on the job or become ill from a job-related illness and do not know they are entitled to Worker's Compensation.  If you have suffered a work-related illness and injury your doctor can assist you in applying, first, for State Disability and Worker's Compensation.  If you are injured or ill from a work-related issue, DO NOT APPLY FOR UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION.  You will need that when you are ready and able to search for work. Talk to the Human Resources people at your job or speak to your Supervisor to find out how you apply for benefits.  If they refuse to help you or give you accurate or appropriate information, contact Bay Area Legal Aid and ask for a referral to a Workers Compensation attorney.

Bay Area Crisis Nursery

Bay Area Legal Aid

Bonita House - Berkeley

Contra Costa County Directory of offices and personnel

Contra Costa Crisis Center  (Suicide Prevention, Grief Counseling, Homeless Services, Youth Services +) 

Contra Costa CCORD Database of Services  

East Bay Works One Stop Career Center

Housing Authority of the County of Contra Costa

Contra Costa List of Assisted Rental Units  Call and put yourself on the waiting list and then call back ONCE A WEEK to check for a vacancy.  Try to call on the same day of the week and around the same time of day.  If there is a vacancy and no one has responded to the notice, you will move up on the list OR you might be fortunate enough to get the unit.  BE PERSISTENT.

Independent Living Resources

St. Anthony Foundation - San Francisco

Veterans Services - Contra Costa County 

    East Bay Standdown - August 2006

Training and Employment Opportunities

Links to California Apprenticeship Programs

East Bay Works

OPTIC    Opportunities for Technology Information Careers helps low-income people develop necessary skills  to move out of poverty and into self-sufficiency.