HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/1/2026 Item 4a, Garcia
Daniela Garcia <
To:Advisory Bodies
Subject:Access central coast
Attachments:public comment 04_01-2.docx
Hello,
Happy Wednesday, down below is my public comment letter.
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Daniela Garcia
from the Internet.
Benefits Specialist
Access Central Coast
51 Zaca Lane, Suite 140. San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 462-1162 x413
dgarcia@accesscentralcoast.org
1
04/01/26
Thank you to the chair members of the respective committees
for the opportunity to submit testimony on the 2026 human
services grant.
My name is Daniela Garcia I am the benefits specialist for Access
Central Coast a public benefit nonprofit aging and disability
resource center (ADRC). We promote independent living
philosophy and self-sufficient for all people with disabilities. And
we are an organization focused on improving the well-being of
individuals with disabilities or older adults. Through analyst,
advocacy, and collaboration with partners locally and statewide,
we support the implementation of programs and policies that
address the serious challenges facing individuals with disabilities
and older adults.
My role as a benefit specialist assist to help with applying for a
variety of public benefit programs based on clients eligibility.
public benefit programs available in California are supplement
security income, Social Security disability insurance, medical, Cal
fresh, in-home support services, California Department of
rehabilitation, regional Center, WIC, California special needs
trust. For example someone may come to ACC looking for
service such as housing however many people need support
with securing income. I assist individuals with disabilities or older
adults that could no longer work due to their disability apply for
Social Security benefits as SSI/SSDI/retirement. As I start having
conversations with my clients I’ll learn more about the situation
and then depending on their eligibility criteria. Most of the times
individuals don’t know what is available to them they don’t have
the information. Many individuals with disabilities and older
adults are alone with no support from family members and it
can be difficult and challenging for them to apply for these
benefits. They need guidance and support and in many cases
I’ve helped many individuals apply for Social Security benefits
and be approved due to the disability. Once they are approved
they’re able to secure housing and get back on their feet. I have
a testimony that would like to share, I have a client who was on
Social Security supplement source income for over 10 years due
to his disability. He had received a notice from Social Security
stating that he will have his payments stopped due to his
disability to limit him from being able to work. My client was
mentally and physically not well to work due to his disability and
had reached out to ACC for assistance in appealing this decision.
I assisted my client with filling out an appeal form and
submitting it to Social Security to request a court hearing to see
a law judge. I advocacy and support my client, I assisted my
client with getting medical records and filling out social security
forms. My client was approved to see a large judge and he
explained his situation and provided medical records to prove
that his disability limit him from being able to work. My client
then received another notice from Social Security that he was
going to have his SSI payments reinstated and they had found a
error in his SSI payments in the last 10 years which meant that
they owed him money for under paying him. My client received
a $15,000 backpay from Social Security. My client has the
opportunity now to get housing and start rehabilitating his life.
Another testimony I like to share is from a husband and wife that
reached out to ACC. Both husband and wife have disabilities and
the main provider wasn’t able to work anymore due to his
disability and need support applying for Social Security benefits,
in-home support services, state disability insurance, and medical
health insurance. I was able to help this couple with first
applying for Medi-Cal to be eligible for in-home support services.
I helped the husband apply for state disability insurance so he
could have income while he’s waiting for Social Security disability
insurance. With advocacy and support I was able to help the
couple get Medi-Cal health insurance with no share of cost, wife
is now the provider for husband for in-home support services.
Husband is receiving state disability insurance. When I had first
met them they were worried about how they were going to pay
their bills and to be able to afford their rent and still provide for
the children. Now they have relief knowing that they are on the
right programs to be able to still be independent.
ACC’s organization is dedicated to advancing disability rights and
supporting independence. Our services are designed to help
people increase or maintain their independence. We believe
every person has the right to direct their own life. Acc works to
remove barriers and promote full inclusion for people with
disability.
Thank you,
Daniela