Government

A 5150 is a legal hold imposed on a person that is be lieved to be in need of involuntary psychiatric treatment in California. The person is believed to be at least one of the following:

• A Danger to Themselves
• A Danger to Others
• Gravely Disabled (unable to provide for their own food, shelter, or clothing)

Once a police officer, or any other individual that is certified to put people on a 5150 hold , has issued a 5150 to the person believed to be one of the above, that person will be taken to a psychiatric hospital and can be legally held for up to 72 hours. During the first 24 hours of the 72-hour period, the person must be evaluated by two psychiatrists to determine if admission to the hospital for further treatment is necessary. If both doctors determine further treatment is necessary, the patient is admitted to the hospital.

Once the 72-hour period is up, the patient may choose to remain in the hospital voluntarily. If the patient decides not to stay voluntarily, and the doctors believe additional treatment is necessary, the patient can be certified with a 5250 for involuntary treatment for up to an addition 14 days.

The benefits depend on the degree of disability. Those that are simply unable to work as a result of their illness may qualify to receive full benefits under the Federal Social Security Program. You can learn more about this at www.ssa.gov.

Those individuals who suffer from a disability or are over the age of 65 may qualify to receive Medicare, which is a federally funded national health insurance system (www.medicare.gov). Low-income individuals may qualify for Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid health care program (www.dhs.ca.gov/mcs/medi-calhome).

Also try:

• The Western Law Center for Disability Rights at www.wlcdr.org
• Disability Benefits 101: www.disabilitybenefits101.org

You can learn more about disability benefits, as well as apply online at www.ssa.gov, or you can call (800)772-1213.

Also try:

• The Western Law Center for Disability Rights at www.wlcdr.org
• Disability Benefits 101: www.disabilitybenefits101.org