State and Federal Resources

Elected Officials

State
State Assembly
State Senate
Legislative Analysts Office
State Legislative Information
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
Attorney General Jerry Brown
Controller John Chiang
Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi
Secretary of State Deborah Bowen
Superintendent of Education Jack O'Connell
Treasurer Bill Lockyer

Federal
Senator Barbara Boxer
Senator Dianne Feinstein
Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Congressman Tom Lantos

State Websites

Agriculture

Locate a Farmers’ Market

Automobile / DMV Links

Auto Insurance
Finding an Insurance Company and Rates

Automobile Pollution
50 Things You Can Do To Reduce Air Pollution
To Report a Gross Polluting Vehicle
To Report a Commercial Vehicle Idling

Auto Repair
How to Select a Quality Auto Repair Shop
How to file a Complaint Against a Repair Shop

DMV
Apply for a California I.D. Card
Apply for a Drivers License over 18 yrs of age
Apply for a Drivers License under age 18 yrs
Apply for Persons with Disabilities Placards or Plates
Register Your Boat
Register Your Car

FasTrak
Apply for a FasTrak Toll Device

Gas Stations
Consumer Guide to Gas Stations – Free Air & Water
Not Provided with Free Air and Water at a Gas Station? – Complaint form

Smog Check
Find a Smog Check Station
Find a Car’s Smog Check History
I Failed a Smog Check and I Need Financial Assistance

Traffic Accidents
How to Report a Traffic Accident
Mandatory Exchange of Information (Vehicle Code)

Child Care

Find a Licensed Child Care Facility
CalWorks Child Care Program
Cal-Learn Program for Teen Parents
Trustline Program - Hire a Nanny or Child Care Provider with Background Checks

Consumer Protections

Financial / Credit Cards
Free Annual Consumer Credit Report
Legal Guide – Credit Repair Services
Guide on How to Respond to Debt Collector Notices
How to Correct a Credit Card Billing Error

Home
National Do Not Call Registry
State Contractors Licensing Board

Privacy Protection / I.D. Theft
Tips to Prevent Identity Theft
Financial Privacy Rights

Shopping
Car Buyer’s Bill of Rights
Basic Facts about Telemarketing
Shopper’s Guide for Door to Door Sales
Shopper’s Guide for Telephone, Mail Order, & Internet Sales
Shopper’s Guide to Store Refunds and Warranties
Shopper’s Guide to Sweepstakes, Contests & Lotteries
Consumer’s Guide to Health Clubs, Spas & Studios
Consumer’s Guide to Electronic & Appliance Service Contracts
Gift Cards and Gift Certificates – Tips
Rent to Own Transactions – Legal Guide
Scam Alerts – D.O.J.
What’s in a label? – Home Furnishings & Thermal Insulation

Education

Need Cash for College?
School Directory Listings
School Academic Test Results
No Child Left Behind Act
Individualized Education Programs (IEP)

Employment

Workers’ Compensation Insurance – Know Your Rights
Locate the Nearest Division of Worker’s Comp office
Workers' Comp Appeals Board - Policy & Procedural Manual
California’s Labor Codes
Unemployment Insurance Links
Job Program for Veterans
Job Program for Seniors
Paid Family Leave Insurance Program
Employment Discrimination
Workplace Safety Issues
Workplace Safety Guides
California Partnership for Young Worker Health and Safety
California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs)
CalJobs – Internet Resource for Jobs in California
Become a State Employee
Become a CHP Officer
America’s Job Bank

Food / Cash Assistance

Electronic Benefit Transfer Food Program
Emergency Food Assistance Program
Kinship Guardianship Assistance Payment (Kin-GAP)
Child Support – Frequently Asked Questions
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
General Assistance or General Relief (GA/GR) – Indigent Adults
Social Security Retirement, Spouse, or Disability Benefits
State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP) Program
How to Apply for State Disability Benefits
California Veterans Cash Benefit Program
Women, Infant, Children (WIC) program
Food Banks and Rescue Programs

Foster Care

Transitional Housing Placement Program for Foster Youth
Independent Living Program for Foster Youth
Foster Care – Main Page   
Kinship Care
Website Dedicated to Foster Youth
Foster Parents – FAQs
Kin-GAP

Funeral Services

Housing

Legal Assistance

Legal Aid Society of Alameda County
Small Claims – Alameda County
Better Business Bureau 
How to Resolve a Complaint? 
Lawyer Referral Service
Mediation Programs

Medical / Healthcare

Doctor Research
Has My Doctor Been Disciplined?
Is My Doctor Board Certified?
To File a Complaint against a Doctor

Health Insurance
Who can join Healthy Families Insurance Program?
Medi-Cal – Frequently Asked Questions
California Major Risk Medical Insurance Program
Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program
Access for Infants and Mothers Health Care
Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program (BCCTP)

Mental Health Care
Consumer’s Guide to Psychological Services
Alameda County Behavioral Health Care
California Mental Health Advocates for Children & Youth

Patient Rights
Patient Privacy Protections - HIPAA
Medical Records – Frequently Asked Questions

Prescriptions
Pharmacy – Alternative Medicine
Pharmacy – Consumer Tips
Tips to Saving Money on Prescriptions

Special Needs Health Care
In-Home Support Services
Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP)
Respite Program  

Public Safety

Sexual Predators – How to Keep Your Family Safe?
Megan’s Law – Sex Offender Location Site
10 Tips to Avoid Vehicle Theft
Child Safety Seats

Recycling

Find Your Nearest Recycling Center
What Can I recycle?

Special Services

Deaf Access Program
Rights to Buying a Hearing Aid
Assistance Dog Special Allowance Program

Tax Assistance

Homeowner and Renters Assistance
Nonrefundable Renter's Credit
Taxpayer Advocate
Frequently Asked Questions
E-File Your State Tax Return
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

Traveling

Documentation for Passports
Request a Copy of a California Birth Certificate
How to Apply for a Passport

Road Conditions
State Highway Road Conditions
Real Time Traffic Conditions
Real Time Traffic Incidents
Report a State Highway Maintenance Problem

State Parks
Reserve a State Park Campsite
Online State Park Brochures

Travel Guides
California Scenic Highways
Winter Driving Tips
California Travel & Tourism Commission
Order a Free California Travel Guide
California Digital Drives Guide
Digital California State Map
Driving Tips for Foggy Conditions 

Traveling Via Train
Amtrak California
B.A.R.T.

Utility Assistance

Electricity and Gas
California’s Solar Incentive
Family Electric Rate Assistance Program
California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE)
Low-income Energy Efficiency Program (LIEE)
PG&E - Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help (REACH)
Balanced Payment Plan – Same Amount All Year

Telephone
Universal Lifeline Telephone Service Low-Income Assistance Program
Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program

Voting / Secretary of State

Toll Free Telephone Numbers

Attorney General
Consumer inquiries or complaints
800-952-5225

Reports of Medi-Cal fraud or elder abuse
800-722-0432

California Conservation Corps
Recruitment line for 18-23 year olds
(800) 952-5627

Consumer Affairs
Consumer Information Center, includes: Automotive Repair and Barbering & Cosmetology.
(800) 952-5210

Contractors State License Board
Status of a contractor’s license and contractor complaints
(800) 321-2752

Crime Victims Assistance
Financial assistance for victims of crime
(800) 777-9229

Department of Corporations
Consumer inquiries or complaints about brokers and investment advisors
(800) 321-2752

Department of Managed Care
HMO Health Center Complaints against a health maintenance organization
(888) HMO-2219

Department of Motor Vehicles
Appointments for driver license or vehicle registration renewal
(800) 777-0133

Department of Fair Employment and Housing
Employment discrimination complaints
(800) 884-1684

Housing discrimination complaints
(800) 852-5711

Franchise Tax Board
Taxpayer information
(800) 852-5711

Medical Board of California
Complaints against a doctor
(800) 633-2322

Status of a doctor’s license
(916) 263-2382 – toll call

Parks and Recreation
State campground reservations
(800) 444-7275

Public Utilities Commission
Utility rates and billing problems
(800) 649-7570

State Auditor’s Hotline
Reports of improper governmental activities
(800) 952-5665

State Banking
Consumer inquiries or complaints about banks
(800) 622-0620

Veteran Affairs
Veteran benefits or complaints about providers
(800) 952-5626

Workers' Compensation
Information and assistance
(916) 263-2741 – toll call

State Operator
Phone number for all state agencies
(916) 657-9900 – toll call