Center for Independent Living, Merced

The Center for Independent Living is a 501 [c] 3 nonprofit corporation that advocates for the rights of people with disabilities. They offer services to assist people with disabilities to reach their goals of independence. In addition, Center for Independent Living offers advocacy services to assist consumers in matters involving benefits, housing and employment.

The Center for Independent Living provides assistance through a Benefits Assistance and Outreach (BPAO) for matters involving Social Security, California Employment Development Department, California State Worker’s Compensation, private insurance TANF, HUD, Medi-Cal/Medicare and providing public outreach services to educate the public about matters that involve the rights of persons with disabilities..

The Center for Independent Living also provides advocacy services for consumers that are seeking Housing Choice Vouchers (formerly section 8) through the Merced County Housing Authority. Often, due to an assortment of disabilities, e.g., cognitive, sight, hearing, and various other disabilities, or a combination thereof, consumers may have difficulties interpreting housing authority requirements and rulings. For this reason, a rehabilitation specialist is made available to interpret and explain housing authority rules and regulations to consumers. While the California Department of Rehabilitation is able to offer a variety of services, many people with disabilities are not considered qualified to receive services. For this reason, Center for Independent Living has developed a staff of counselors that assist persons with disabilities that would otherwise not be eligible for services. For more information on the services offered by Center for Independent Living, call 383-1683.

Center for Independent Living
California Association for the Physically Handicapped
710 W. 18th Street, Suite 11
Merced, CA 95340
209-383-1683 (voice)
209-725-9153 (fax)
T_monreal@cil-fresno.org