Who qualifies
Under the Lanterman Act, a person qualifies if they have intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, or a condition closely related to intellectual disability or needing similar treatment. The disability must start before 18, be expected to continue, and be a substantial disability.
Substantial disability means significant limitations in at least three of these areas, as appropriate for age: receptive and expressive language, learning, self-care, mobility, self-direction, capacity for independent living, and economic self-sufficiency.
Conditions that are solely psychiatric, solely a learning disability, or solely physical don't qualify on their own.
A child age 3 or 4 can be provisionally eligible without a diagnosis if they have a disability that isn't solely physical and significant limitations in at least two areas. The child doesn't need to have been in Early Start.
The timelines
- 1
Intake within 15 working days
After you ask for help, the regional center must complete intake within 15 working days, including deciding whether to assess.
- 2
Assessment within 120 days
If an assessment is needed, it must be done within 120 days of intake, or within 60 days if delay would put your child's health, safety, or development at risk. The assessment is free.
- 3
Written decision
If the regional center finds your child isn't eligible, it must tell you in writing and explain how to appeal through a fair hearing.
Bay Area regional center intake
Regional center eligibility at Golden Gate Regional Center
Lifelong services for qualifying developmental disabilities.
- Ages3 and older
- CostFree intake and assessment
- Who qualifiesAutism, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, or a closely related condition
- Phone1-888-339-3305
- OnlineApply for services
How to apply, step by step
- For people 3 and older.
- Call 1-888-339-3305, or email the Ongoing Intake Contact Form and any evaluations to intake@ggrc.org.
- Form (PDF): ggrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Ongoing_Intake_Contact_9.
- You can also fax the form to 1-888-339-3306, or mail it or drop it off at a GGRC office.
- The mailing address for the Intake Unit is 1900 S.
- Norfolk Street, Suite 100, San Mateo, CA 94403 (ATTN: Intake Unit).
- GGRC's page says young children may qualify under Provisional Eligibility without a specific diagnosis (GGRC phrases this as '3-5 years old'; RCEB and SARC cite state law as covering children aged 3 or 4).
Checked Oct 16, 2026 · ggrc.org, dds.ca.gov, sfusd.edu
Regional center eligibility at Regional Center of the East Bay
Lifelong services for qualifying developmental disabilities.
- Ages3 and older
- CostFree intake and assessment
- Who qualifiesAutism, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, or a closely related condition
- Phone(510) 618-6122
- OnlineApply for services
How to apply, step by step
- For anyone over 3 who may have a developmental disability.
- Contact the Intake Coordinator at (510) 618-6122, email intakeoverthree@rceb.org, fax (510) 678-4122, or complete the over-age-three general inquiry form online.
- RCEB says an Assessment Counselor schedules the first intake appointment within 15 working days, and eligibility assessments are completed within 120 days of that appointment.
- Children aged 3 or 4 may qualify under provisional eligibility.
Checked Oct 16, 2026 · rceb.org, dds.ca.gov
Regional center eligibility at San Andreas Regional Center
Lifelong services for qualifying developmental disabilities.
- Ages3 and older
- CostFree intake and assessment
- Who qualifiesAutism, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, or a closely related condition
- Phone(408) 374-9960
- OnlineApply for services
How to apply, step by step
- For ages 3 and up.
- SARC's intake page says to call (408) 374-9960 for Santa Clara County, (831) 900-3737 for Santa Cruz and San Benito counties, or (831) 900-3636 for Monterey County.
- The same page also links an online 'SARC Intake Interest Form'.
- SARC says the first interview is preferably held within 15 working days of the decision to assess, and eligibility is determined within 120 days of that meeting.
- Children aged 3 or 4 may qualify under provisional eligibility.
Checked Oct 16, 2026 · sanandreasregional.org, dds.ca.gov
Regional center and school are separate
Regional center eligibility doesn't decide special education eligibility, and the reverse is also true. Many children receive services from both. If your child is in school or about to start, ask the district for an assessment too.
Sources
- California Department of Developmental Services: Regional center eligibility
- Welfare and Institutions Code 4512: Developmental disability and provisional eligibility
- Welfare and Institutions Code 4642: Regional center intake within 15 working days
- Welfare and Institutions Code 4643: Assessment within 120 days
- 17 CCR 54000: Conditions that do not qualify
- 17 CCR 54001: Substantial disability
Laws and program details change. Check with the agency named on this page, and talk to a qualified professional about your child. Spotted something out of date? Email hello@childevaluation.com.