Benefits Enrollment
The Countywide Benefits Entitlement Services (CBEST) Team helps unhoused people, individuals at risk of homelessness, veterans, and formerly incarcerated people with a documented disability or who are 65 years old apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI). CBEST consists of dedicated benefit advocates, clinicians, and legal service partners who provide comprehensive services to support successful disability benefit applications.
Enriched Residential Care
The Enriched Residential Care (ERC) program provides housing placements for individuals who have complex physical and behavioral health conditions and need ongoing help managing their health and completing activities of daily living. Participants referred to enriched residential care are often discharged from an inpatient hospital, living in an unsheltered setting, or living in housing or interim housing that lacks the higher level of care that they need. Participants are placed in licensed residential care facilities (commonly known as board and care facilities) that provide around the clock staffing, care and supervision, and assistance with activities such as eating, bathing, and dressing.
Second Chance Opportunities
With the Criminal Record Clearing Project, the Los Angeles County Public Defender works to provide legal services to help people experiencing or at risk of homelessness resolve outstanding infractions and associated warrants, which are often barriers to housing, employment, education, and legal immigration.
Homeless Courts staged in the community, outside the traditional courtroom setting, incentivize people experiencing homelessness to engage with provider services to dismiss infractions and misdemeanors related to being unhoused.