HUFFINGTON POST - JULY 2015 NEW LAW IN EFFECT FOR HOMELESS ID's
The thing that often stands in the way of a homeless person and housing is just a state-issued identification. But a new law in California is making sure that its residents are no longer stranded on the streets because of that issue.
In order for a homeless person to do something as simple as apply for a job, enroll in public school or access homeless shelters and food stamps, they need to provide official identification. But those IDs often get lost or stolen and homeless people lack the funds and resources to obtain new driver's licenses or birth certificates...
The bill was inspired by Kelly Thomas, a homeless man who lived on the streets of Fullerton, California, and had schizophrenia, according to KCET. Thomas was beaten by three police officers in 2011 and died five days later.
"We are making sure they have IDs to access the services to get back on feet -- either social services or mental health services," ...
California’s government officials have stepped in where nonprofits often have to pick up the slack in other states.
***
We just ran into Harvey, who we first met on the street a year ago, and has been on the streets in Los Angeles for two years. He came from another state. He needs to get his birth certificate from that state. Our referrals to Mend, Burbank Temporary Aid, have not resulted in Harvey moving towards an ID, so that he can get food stamps and a cash benefit, so instead he's going through garbage cans and recycling. We don't know honestly if Harvey has followed through on our referrals. We didn't promise him he'd get help, but we felt sure he'd at least get more information. So for those of you who are in Harvey's situation...
HERE IS AN ARTICLE ON THE LAW - FREE BIRTH CERTIFICATES
SACBEE - NEW LAW - FREE BIRTH CERTIFICATES
Effective July 1, AB 1733 requires county recorders to issue free birth certificates to any person who demonstrates he or she is homeless. On Jan. 1, the law also will require the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue a free original or replacement identification card to anyone who can verify homelessness. The DMV now charges $26 for an original identification card and $8 for individuals that qualify for certain low income public assistance programs.
HERE IS HOW TO VERIFY THAT YOU ARE HOMELESS
GO TO A COLD WEATHER SHELTER. TALK TO THE SOCIAL WORKERS. STAY THERE. THEY WILL PROVIDE VERIFICATION.
Showing posts with label Picture Identification Cards. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Picture Identification Cards. Show all posts
Thursday, February 18, 2016
Thursday, May 31, 2012
HEADING FOR A HOMELESS SHELTER? HERE'S WHAT TO DO AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!
Some shelters won't take you if you don't have these things BEFORE YOU DO INTAKE! Other's will give you some time once they take you in, but you should do these things as soon as possible!
MAILING AND PRIVACY ISSUES : The biggest obstacle for a street homeless person is not having a mailing address, which is why the shelter address is what you're waiting on. Check though to see if there are any places in your area that provide MAIL services for homeless.
One possibility is mail to your STORAGE UNIT. ASK, we have heard of it being done.
If you are homeless and are using a friend's mail box, tell any social services you register with that this is the case or they may not believe you are actually homeless. (We know of one intake/shelter that requires you have a letter from someone who you've been living with stating that they can no longer keep you and one night on the street!)
(CAUTION : Some shelters have bulk mail and someone on staff is the "mail carrier" who gets to see who you are getting e-mail from. (Likewise, some shelters have computers but you can't use them and have confidentiality. Can you use e-mail from another location?)
YOUR PICTURE ID: A picture ID doesn't always have to be a drivers license. Sometimes it can be a school or gym membership card or a bus pass with your picture on it. If your picture is you and looks like you and is fairly recent (within a year or two) maybe that will work. A passport, even if it's expired should work. DON'T SUBMIT A FAKE ID. Eagle eye case managers are usually smart about this and if you're young looking they're not going to risk taking you in underage.
OTHER FORMS OF IDENTIFICATION: Say you lost your wallet or got robbed and you now having nothing on you. CALL YOUR DMV and report this right away. Our experience with the DMV is that they are often willing to deal with homeless, such as setting up a payment plan for registration. Ask for a PRINT OUT that you can use until you get new plastic. Case Managers may be able to give you a letter stating that you are in their program to verify an address of the program and that you need reduced fees.
One of our friends told them he was living in his van and showed his Social Security check and disability evidence and they gave him time to pay.
GR and other SOCIAL SERVICES THROUGH GOVERNMENT AGENCIES : YOU CAN PICK UP GR RELATED MAIL AT THEIR OFFICE. Shelters often expect you to agree to let them know what income you're getting. IN SOME PLACES GR IS THE FIRST PLACE YOU SHOULD GO IF YOU NEED SHELTER BECAUSE THEY MAY PAY FOR YOUR FIRST TWO WEEKS IN A SHELTER.
YOUR BIRTH CERTIFICATE : Usually used to verify you are who you are for housing and other government funded benefits. There are fees involved.
TB TEST : Shelters are concerned about the spread of TB in close quarters at shelters especially because of the previous use of needles for street drugs and HIV, which can make getting TB pretty easy. Some require a TB test. Strange but true, we found out that while some expect the test, they don't necessarily expect it to be negative. Positive and in treatment will usually be good enough.
Shelters know that homeless are often without papers. Ask them if they can help you get these papers.
UPDATE AUGUST 2013 - THIS POST WILL ALSO BE ON OUR SIDEBAR ALONG WITH OTHER INFORMATION!
MAILING AND PRIVACY ISSUES : The biggest obstacle for a street homeless person is not having a mailing address, which is why the shelter address is what you're waiting on. Check though to see if there are any places in your area that provide MAIL services for homeless.
One possibility is mail to your STORAGE UNIT. ASK, we have heard of it being done.
If you are homeless and are using a friend's mail box, tell any social services you register with that this is the case or they may not believe you are actually homeless. (We know of one intake/shelter that requires you have a letter from someone who you've been living with stating that they can no longer keep you and one night on the street!)
(CAUTION : Some shelters have bulk mail and someone on staff is the "mail carrier" who gets to see who you are getting e-mail from. (Likewise, some shelters have computers but you can't use them and have confidentiality. Can you use e-mail from another location?)
YOUR PICTURE ID: A picture ID doesn't always have to be a drivers license. Sometimes it can be a school or gym membership card or a bus pass with your picture on it. If your picture is you and looks like you and is fairly recent (within a year or two) maybe that will work. A passport, even if it's expired should work. DON'T SUBMIT A FAKE ID. Eagle eye case managers are usually smart about this and if you're young looking they're not going to risk taking you in underage.
OTHER FORMS OF IDENTIFICATION: Say you lost your wallet or got robbed and you now having nothing on you. CALL YOUR DMV and report this right away. Our experience with the DMV is that they are often willing to deal with homeless, such as setting up a payment plan for registration. Ask for a PRINT OUT that you can use until you get new plastic. Case Managers may be able to give you a letter stating that you are in their program to verify an address of the program and that you need reduced fees.
One of our friends told them he was living in his van and showed his Social Security check and disability evidence and they gave him time to pay.
GR and other SOCIAL SERVICES THROUGH GOVERNMENT AGENCIES : YOU CAN PICK UP GR RELATED MAIL AT THEIR OFFICE. Shelters often expect you to agree to let them know what income you're getting. IN SOME PLACES GR IS THE FIRST PLACE YOU SHOULD GO IF YOU NEED SHELTER BECAUSE THEY MAY PAY FOR YOUR FIRST TWO WEEKS IN A SHELTER.
YOUR BIRTH CERTIFICATE : Usually used to verify you are who you are for housing and other government funded benefits. There are fees involved.
TB TEST : Shelters are concerned about the spread of TB in close quarters at shelters especially because of the previous use of needles for street drugs and HIV, which can make getting TB pretty easy. Some require a TB test. Strange but true, we found out that while some expect the test, they don't necessarily expect it to be negative. Positive and in treatment will usually be good enough.
Shelters know that homeless are often without papers. Ask them if they can help you get these papers.
UPDATE AUGUST 2013 - THIS POST WILL ALSO BE ON OUR SIDEBAR ALONG WITH OTHER INFORMATION!
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