The Arc of California

06/10/2026

Thank you to ABC10 news for coming out to the press conference and rally yesterday with Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez and California Association of Public Authorities for In-Home Supportive Services to sound the alarm over the Governor Gavin Newsom's proposed asset caps on eligibility for Medi-Cal and IHSS.

We urge the Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas to REJECT the Governor's proposal to bring back harmful asset caps that will require people with disabilities and elderly people to live in poverty in order to access their healthcare and in-home support services.

Have no more than $2,000 in saves or assets would even cover a security deposit for rent. This is unacceptable!

There are better ways to balance the budget than on the backs of people with disabilities and seniors.

California lawmakers have until June 15 to approve a state budget, ...

06/10/2026

Thank you to Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez for joining the disability community and speaking out yesterday about the very harmful Medi-Cal and IHSS asset caps being proposed in the Governor's May Revise of the State Budget. There are only a few more days left for the Governor and Legislature to negotiate on a final budget. The Senate rejected these asset caps that would cause hundreds of thousands to lose their vital Medi-Cal and IHSS services, but the Assembly did not. We need ALL members of our community, inlcuding allies, to call, email and post a message on social media to Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas urging him to adopt the Senate budget proposal and REJECT the proposed asset limits on Medi-Cal and IHSS.
📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Call: 916-319-2029

Link to sample email, call script, and social media posts: https://tinyurl.com/294k584p

Every call and email helps lawmakers understand how these cuts would impact people with disabilities, older adults, and families across California.

Please TAKE ACTION today and SHARE this post so others can join us.

06/08/2026

The federal government has withheld $1.3 billion in Medicaid funding from California, including more than $1.1 billion from the In-Home Support Services that helps older adults and people with disabilities live safely and independently.

In a new statement, The Arc of California Executive Director Jordan Lindsey explains why isolated cases of fraud should not be used to justify actions that could weaken essential services that millions of Californians rely on every day.

Read the full statement:
🔗 https://thearcca.org/the-arc-of-california-raises-concerns-over-federal-government-withholds-1-3-billion-in-ihss-funding-from-california/

06/08/2026

❓ What happens when $1.3 billion in federal funding for Medi-Cal and IHSS is withheld from California❓

The federal government has withheld $1.3 billion in Medicaid funding from California, including more than $1.1 billion from the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program that helps older adults and people with disabilities remain safely in their homes and communities.

In a new statement, The Arc of California Executive Director Jordan Lindsey addresses the growing use of "waste, fraud and abuse" narratives to justify actions that could weaken essential healthcare and support services. While accountability and oversight are important, isolated cases of misconduct should not be used to threaten programs that millions of Californians rely on every day.

For people with disabilities, Medi-Cal and IHSS are not luxuries. They provide access to healthcare, personal care services, therapies, medications, and the support needed to live independently.

Read Jordan Lindsey's full statement and learn why The Arc of California is raising concerns about the potential impact of these funding withholdings.

🔗 https://tinyurl.com/mw95xn68

06/05/2026

🚨 TAKE ACTION TODAY: BEFORE JUNE 15 DEADLINE 🚨

No one should have to live in poverty to keep their healthcare.

Governor Newsom's proposed budget would bring back strict Medi-Cal and IHSS asset limits, allowing individuals to have no more than $2,000 in savings and couples no more than $3,000.
Think about that for a moment.

A person with a disability could lose healthcare and in-home support services simply because they have a small emergency savings account, money set aside for a wheelchair repair, transportation, housing costs like a security deposit, or other basic needs.

These harmful limits would force Californians to choose between financial security and the services they rely on to live safely and independently in their communities.

The California Senate has rejected these asset caps. Now we need Assembly leadership to do the same.

📢 CONTACT CALIFORNIA STATE ASSEMBLY Speaker Robert Rivas TODAY AND URGE HIM TO:
✅ Adopt the Senate's budget proposal
✅ Reject proposed Medi-Cal and IHSS asset caps
📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Call: 916-319-2029

Link to sample email, call script and social media messages: https://tinyurl.com/294k584p

Every call and email helps lawmakers understand how these cuts would impact people with disabilities, older adults, and families across California.

Please TAKE ACTION today and SHARE this post so others can join us.

Disability should not come with a poverty requirement.

06/02/2026

🗳️ Happy Election Day, California!

Today is your opportunity to make your voice heard.

People with disabilities, family members, caregivers, direct support professionals, and allies make up one of the largest voter blocs in California and across the nation. When we vote, policymakers pay attention. When we participate, we help shape decisions that affect disability services, education, health care, employment, housing, transportation, and community inclusion.

As you cast your ballot, consider the candidates and issues that will impact people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Our collective voice has the power to influence policies and create stronger, more inclusive communities for everyone.

Need help voting today?

✅ Find your polling place
✅ Check your voter registration status
✅ Track your ballot to make sure it was received and counted
✅ Access voting and accessibility resources

Visit the California Secretary of State's Elections page:
https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections

Find your polling place:
https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/polling-place/

California also offers same-day voter registration at voting locations if you still need to register. Check the website for identification requirements.

Every vote matters. Every voice matters. Together, we can help build a California where people with disabilities are included in every decision that affects our lives.

06/01/2026

Starting TODAY, June 1, new CalFresh work requirements are taking effect in California. While many adults ages 18–64 may be affected, it's important to know that many people with disabilities qualify for exemptions.

Understanding your rights and eligibility can help ensure you continue receiving the food assistance you need.

Our latest article explains:
✅ Who may be impacted by the changes
✅ Common disability-related exemptions
✅ What steps to take if you receive a notice from your county

Food security matters. Make sure you have the information you need.

Read Full Article and Get Resources: https://thearcca.org/calfresh-changes-take-effect-june-1-many-people-with-disabilities-are-exempt/

Beginning June 1, 2026, California is implementing new CalFresh work or community engagement rules for some food assistance recipients. These changes stem from H.R. 1, sometimes referred to as the "One Big Beautiful Bill," which was signed into law by President Trump on July 4, 2025.

05/29/2026

We are really grateful to KCRA 3 KCRA Gulstan Dart for sharing with the broader community the reasons 700+ advocates gathered at the State Capitol last week for DisCo at the Capitol. It's important to keep the public informed about why we are uniting and advocating to protect essential Medi-Cal healthcare benefits and In Home Support Services from any funding cuts.

👏Great job to everyone who supported the event and attended!

05/29/2026

We are stilling riding the wave of energy from last week's DisCo at the Capitol! Each year the event grows and more advocates are joining forces to protect essential services and supports. One service provider, VistAbility, hosted a fundraiser to raise money to rent a large bus that carried more than 100 people to attend the event. It's an incredible story and an example of what is possible.

Read the full story: https://thearcca.org/hundreds-of-vistability-advocates-bring-their-voices-to-the-capitol/

VistAbility, a nonprofit organization serving adults with disabilities in Contra Costa County, rallied more than 100 program participants and staff to attend the 19th Annual DisCo at the Capitol this year, ensuring self-advocates had a voice during critical discussions around proposed cuts to Medi-C...