Essential Caregiver & Disability Support Resources
This index connects you to trusted crisis hotlines, legal advocates, healthcare navigation, caregiver support, disability services, and system accountability offices that caregivers actually need — especially when you’re in the trenches and systems are failing.
CRISIS & SAFETY RESOURCES
(When someone is in emotional distress — caregiver or care recipient — right now.)
Talk/text 988 — free, 24/7 support for anyone in emotional distress.
Call or text 988, then press 1 — immediate help for vets and their families.
Text HELLO to 741741 — 24/7 crisis support via text (U.S.).
Support and crisis intervention for LGBTQ youth.
RIGHTS & SYSTEM ACCOUNTABILITY
(Non-profit and government agencies that actually have authority to intervene, not just give pamphlets.)
Statewide legal advocacy with power to investigate abuse/neglect, defend rights, and enforce federal disability law.
National disability rights law + policy center. Focuses on ADA, civil rights protections, and systemic change.
Umbrella for every state’s disability rights agency — real legal muscle, not just support groups.
Comprehensive info on disability rights under ADA — workplace, healthcare, public access.
File complaints about discrimination in healthcare, including privacy violations.
Federal enforcement of disability rights, ADA violations, etc.
HEALTHCARE NAVIGATION & INSURANCE ADVOCACY
(The places you actually go when hospitals, insurance, and systems stonewall you.)
Policy, complaints, Medicare/Medicaid guidance.
Eligibility & program info (Medicaid is often the care lifeline)
Insurance marketplace — eligibility, coverage options.
California — file insurance complaints, urgent access issues, provider denials.
Case management + legal support for healthcare access disputes.
FAMILY CAREGIVER SUPPORT & COMMUNITY
(Not the crisis stuff — the real life stuff you need long term.)
Education, support, caregiver policy briefs, real advocacy.
Peer support, tools, real community.
Respite services — caregivers deserve actual breaks.
DISABILITY + DEVELOPMENTAL SUPPORT
(Because caregiver survival doesn’t happen without proper support for the person you care for.)
IDD-oriented services + support for families.
Autism resources and support for families and caregivers.
Therapy programs, disability services, caregiver supportive services.
Respite services — caregivers deserve actual breaks.
ADVOCACY + POLICY ACTION
(Places that actually push for system change, not just comfort.)
Advocacy, policy change, support groups.
Support, tools, and mental health policy advocacy.
Focused on serious mental illness and improving access to care.
Respite services — caregivers deserve actual breaks.
IMPORTANT REAL-WORLD LINKS CAREGIVERS MISS
(These are the ones most guides don’t include — the ones actually worth bookmarking.)
Government Benefits + Appeals — Social Security Disability appeals info: