FAQ > GENERAL ISSUES RELATED TO MENTAL ILLNESS AND DISABILITIES
My loved one has a mental illness and is homeless. I have been told that the shelters fill up quickly. How do I contact local shelters and how long can someone stay in one?
You can contact the Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority's referral service at (800)339-6993, or visit their website at www.lahsa.org for information on local shelters. You can also call the Shelter Hotline at 1-800-548-6047 or TDD: 1-800-660-4026 (for the deaf and hearing disable d) In the Santa Monica area Step Up on Second is a good organization for those with persistent or severe mental illness: www.stepuponsecond.org or 310-394-6889
Are there any advocacy groups specifically for homeless people who are mentally ill?
The National Mental Health Association of Greater Los Angeles offers Homeless Assistance Programs. The programs help individuals find housing and get the mental healthcare and general health care they need (888-242-2522, or www.mhala.org). You can also contact Protection and Advocacy, Inc. (PAI), a nonprofit agency in California that advances the human and legal rights of people with disabilities. You can reach them at (800)776-5747, or at their Los Angeles office at (800)781-4546. Their website is www.pai-ca.org. Also try:
- The Treatment Advocacy Center at http://www.psychlaws.org/
- The Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority at http://www.lahsa.org/
I worry that my loved one's disability benefits checks are being cashed by someone who doesn't have his or her best interests in mind. Are there any organizations that investigate this kind of situation?
Protection and Advocacy, Inc. would be a good agency to contact this type of issue (800-776-5747, www.pai-ca.org).
I was told that, because of my mental illness, I may qualify for disability benefits. Who should I talk to in order to learn more about this?
You can learn more about disability benefits, as well as apply online at www.ssa.gov, or you can call (800)772-1213. Also try:
- The Western Law Center for Disability Rights at www.wlcdr.org
- Disability Benefits 101: www.disabilitybenefits101.org
What benefits are available to those suffering from mental illness?
The benefits depend on the degree of disability. Those that are simply unable to work as a result of their illness may qualify to receive full benefits under the Federal Social Security Program. You can learn more about this at www.ssa.gov. Those individuals who suffer from a disability or are over the age of 65 may qualify to receive Medicare, which is a federally funded national health insurance system (http://www.medicare.gov/default.asp). Low-income individuals may qualify for Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid health care program (http://www.dhs.ca.gov/mcs/medi-calhome/default.htm). Also try:
- The Western Law Center for Disability Rights at www.wlcdr.org
- Disability Benefits 101: www.disabilitybenefits101.org
What does a 5150 mean?
A 5150 is a legal hold imposed on a person that is be lieved to be in need of involuntary psychiatric treatment in California. The person is believed to be at least one of the following:
- A Danger to Themselves
- A Danger to Others
- Gravely Disabled (unable to provide for their own food, shelter, or clothing)
Once a police officer, or any other individual that is certified to put people on a 5150 hold , has issued a 5150 to the person believed to be one of the above, that person will be taken to a psychiatric hospital and can be legally held for up to 72 hours. During the first 24 hours of the 72-hour period, the person must be evaluated by two psychiatrists to determine if admission to the hospital for further treatment is necessary. If both doctors determine further treatment is necessary, the patient is admitted to the hospital. Once the 72-hour period is up, the patient may choose to remain in the hospital voluntarily. If the patient decides not to stay voluntarily, and the doctors believe additional treatment is necessary, the patient can be certified with a 5250 for involuntary treatment for up to an addition 14 days.
