Category: News

Reasonable Accommodation Requests in Housing:

What are they and how do you make them? What is a Reasonable Accommodation request? A reasonable accommodation is: 1)          an exception, 2)          change, 3)          or adjustment to a rule, policy, practice, or service because of a disability. The purpose is to provide tenants with an equal opportunity to use and enjoy the dwelling. See 42 U.S.C. §3604(f)(3)(B); Cal. Gov’t Code § 12927(c)(1). Who can make a Reasonable Accommodation request? A tenant with one or more disabilities; or Any person,

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Changes to Medi-Cal Asset Limits in California: What You Need to Know

Starting January 1, 2026, significant changes are coming to Medi-Cal asset limits, which will impact how Medi-Cal eligibility is determined for many people. If you or a loved one is navigating long-term care or applying for Medi-Cal, it is crucial to stay informed about these upcoming adjustments. What is changing? Starting January 1, 2026, Medi-Cal will consider assets (what you own) when reviewing eligibility for older adults and people with disabilities as part of the application and renewal process. The

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CCSLS Welcomes new Board President Eliot Adelson

We’re thrilled to welcome Eliot Adelson as the new President of the CCSLS Board of Directors. A partner in Morrison Foerster’s Antitrust Litigation practice, Eliot brings a wealth of legal expertise and a deep commitment to justice. He began his career as a Deputy District Attorney for Alameda County and has continued to serve the public good throughout his career. Eliot has been a dedicated volunteer at our San Ramon Clinic, offering his time and talent to support older adults

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Celebrating Disability Pride Month: Empowerment Through Legal Planning with CCSLS

July is Disability Pride Month, a time to honor the strength, resilience, and diversity of people with disabilities. It’s a month to celebrate identity, challenge stereotypes, and promote inclusion and accessibility. It also commemorates the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 1990—a landmark law that affirmed the civil rights of millions. Ways to Celebrate Watch for disability-led stories in the news, such as Good Housekeeping, USA Today, and PBS NewsHour. Learn about key moments in

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Elder Abuse Awareness Month 2025

June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month and June 15th is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Elder Abuse Awareness Month is important because it gives us the opportunity to learn about elder abuse and how we can support those in our community who may be experiencing abuse. According to the California Department of Aging, elder abuse rates in California are rising, with more than 200,000 elder and dependent adult abuse cases reported in the state annually.[1] Given that elder abuse is

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May is Older American’s Month

In May we honor Older American’s Month. Please read Governor Gavin Newsom’s Proclamation on the many ways older adults strengthen the fabric of our society. This year’s theme is “Flipping the Script on Aging.” The Administration on Aging has more to add about this month and the essential contributions of seniors, read more here.

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National Volunteer Month Spotlight: Sora O’Doherty

Contra Costa Senior Legal Services works with many amazing volunteers, all of whom do important work and allow us to serve more seniors. In honor of National Volunteer Month this April, we’d like to spotlight the contributions of one of our committed volunteers, Sora O’Doherty. Sora has been a volunteer with CCSLS since 2016. She volunteers both in our office and out of our office at our legal clinics. Sora is very dedicated to CCSLS. She had always done volunteer

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SNAP myths busted

The article Seniors & Snap Myths by the National Council on Aging covers common myths about SNAP. Key Takeaways: Only 55% of older adults age 60+ who qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, take advantage of this valuable food assistance benefit. Several myths about SNAP eligibility and its availability may prevent some people from applying. Applying for SNAP benefits isn’t complicated. Use NCOA’s BenefitsCheckUp.org to help you check your eligibility and learn more on how to apply.

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Fraud Prevention Month

March is Fraud Prevention Month. This month is an important opportunity to learn how to protect ourselves from fraud and scams. Losing money to fraudsters can be devastating, especially for elders. Every year, elders lose billions of dollars to fraud and scams, forms of financial elder abuse. In many of these cases, recovering the money lost is impossible, making it ever more important to prevent fraud and scams before they happen. Fraudsters are cunning and crafty. They are constantly coming

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