Benefits
California Benefits for Older Adults
California has many programs that can help older adults pay for health care, food, energy bills, and property taxes. This page lists each kind of help in California, what it pays for, and where to apply. The county or state agency makes the final decision on who gets help. You may qualify even if you own your home or get Social Security.
Kinds of benefits in California
The agency decides who qualifies. The limits below are the published figures — use them to see whether applying is worth your time.
Social Security in California
Social Security pays monthly benefits to retired workers, people with disabilities, and family members of workers who have died. Field offices can help you apply, replace a card, change your benefit information, and apply for Extra Help with drug costs. Many tasks can be done online or by phone at 1-800-772-1213.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Social Security Administration |
| How to apply | Online at ssa.gov, by phone, or at a local field office. Use the SSA Office Locator to find your office. |
| Phone | 1-800-772-1213 |
| TTY | 1-800-325-0778 |
| Source | Social Security Administration (www.ssa.gov) — checked November 8, 2026 |
Medi-Cal for Older Californians
Medi-Cal can pay for care that Medicare does not pay for, like long stays in a nursing home, help at home, some dental care, and rides to the doctor. You must live in California and meet income rules. Starting January 1, 2026, the state also counts assets for older adults: up to $130,000 for one person, plus $65,000 for each added person. The county decides if you qualify. You may qualify even if you already have Medicare.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS); counties decide eligibility |
| What it covers | Health care Medicare does not pay for on its own, including long nursing home stays, help at home, some dental care, rides to care, and hospice. |
| How to apply | Apply at BenefitsCal.com, through Covered California, or at your county social services office. |
| Source | California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS); counties decide eligibility (www.dhcs.ca.gov) — checked November 8, 2026 |
California notes
- Medi-Cal is the California name for Medicaid.
- On January 1, 2026, California brought back an asset test for non-MAGI Medi-Cal, including programs for older adults: $130,000 for one person plus $65,000 for each added person, up to 10 (DHCS All County Welfare Directors Letter 25-20).
- Most adults qualify on income alone up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level.
Medicare Savings Programs in California
Medicare Savings Programs help pay your Medicare costs, like the Part B premium, co-pays, and deductibles. QMB helps people with the lowest incomes. If you get a Medicare Savings Program, you also get Extra Help with drug costs on its own. The county decides if you qualify.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS); apply through your county |
| How to apply | Apply at your county social services office or at BenefitsCal.com. |
| Programs | QMB, SLMB, QI, QDWI |
| Source | California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS); apply through your county (www.dhcs.ca.gov) — checked November 8, 2026 |
California notes
- Medicare Savings Programs are Medi-Cal programs that pay Medicare costs.
- Starting January 1, 2026, the reinstated Medi-Cal asset test also applies to the Medicare Savings Programs (DHCS ACWDL 25-20).
CalFresh Food Benefits in California
CalFresh helps people with low income buy food. Your benefits come on an EBT card that works like a debit card. If you are 60 or older, special rules make it easier to qualify, and you may be able to do your interview by phone. You can have savings and own your home and still get CalFresh. The county decides if you qualify.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | California Department of Social Services (CDSS) |
| How to apply | Apply at BenefitsCal.com, by phone at 1-877-847-3663, or at your county social services office. |
| Phone | 1-877-847-3663 |
| Source | California Department of Social Services (CDSS) (cdss.ca.gov) — checked November 8, 2026 |
California notes
- CalFresh is the California name for SNAP food benefits. Benefits come on an EBT card.
- If you are 60 or older or have a disability, you do not face the gross income test, and you can ask for a phone interview instead of going in person (CDSS).
- Tell your worker about medical bills and housing costs — they may raise your benefit.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in California
SSI pays monthly cash to people who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled and have very little income and few resources. For 2026, the federal part pays up to $994 a month for one person and $1,491 for a couple, and California adds a state payment on top. Your resources must be $2,000 or less for one person, or $3,000 for a couple. The home you live in does not count. Social Security decides if you qualify.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Social Security Administration |
| How to apply | Apply with the Social Security Administration online, by phone, or at a field office. |
| Phone | 1-800-772-1213 |
| Federal benefit rate | Couple: 1491; Individual: 994 |
| Resource limits | Couple: 3000; Individual: 2000 |
| Year | 2026 |
| Source | Social Security Administration (www.ssa.gov) — checked November 8, 2026 |
California notes
- California adds a State Supplementary Payment (SSP) on top of the federal SSI amount, so the total paid in California is higher than the federal rate alone.
- People on SSI in California get Medi-Cal on its own.
Extra Help With Medicare Drug Costs in California
Extra Help is a Medicare program that pays most of your Part D drug plan costs. You may qualify if your income is below 150 percent of the poverty level and your savings are under the limit. For 2026, the resource limit is $16,590 for one person and $33,100 for a couple. If you have Medi-Cal, SSI, or a Medicare Savings Program, you get Extra Help on its own.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Social Security Administration / Medicare |
| How to apply | Apply at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or through Medicare. People on Medi-Cal, SSI, or a Medicare Savings Program are signed up on their own. |
| Income rule | Income below 150 percent of the federal poverty level; for a household of one in 2026 that is $23,940 a year. |
| Note | Since January 1, 2024, everyone who qualifies gets the full subsidy. |
| Resource limits 2026 | Couple: 33100; Individual: 16590 |
| Year | 2026 |
| Source | Social Security Administration / Medicare (secure.ssa.gov) — checked November 8, 2026 |
Energy Help in California (LIHEAP and CARE)
Two programs can lower your energy costs in California. LIHEAP helps pay a home heating or cooling bill, and it can help fast if your service may be shut off. The CARE program gives a monthly discount on gas and electric bills for households with low income. You apply for LIHEAP through a local agency in your county, and you ask your utility about CARE. You may qualify for both.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | California Department of Community Services and Development (LIHEAP); California Public Utilities Commission (CARE/FERA utility discounts) |
| How to apply | Apply through the local LIHEAP agency for your county, or ask your utility about CARE. |
| Programs | Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), CARE and FERA utility bill discounts |
| Source | California Department of Community Services and Development (LIHEAP); California Public Utilities Commission (CARE/FERA utility discounts) (aging.ca.gov) — checked November 8, 2026 |
California notes
- LIHEAP can help pay a home energy bill and can help in an energy crisis. Local agencies take the applications.
- Most large California utilities also give monthly bill discounts through the CARE program for households with low income. Ask your utility.
Property Tax Relief for Older Californians
California does not wipe out property taxes for older owners, but it can delay them. If you are 62 or older and your household income is $57,002 or less, you may postpone your current-year property taxes through the State Controller. The taxes are not forgiven. They build 5 percent interest a year and must be repaid later. You must own at least 40 percent of your home and have no reverse mortgage. Apply between October 1 and February 10.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | California State Controller / county assessors |
| Facts | The State Controller Property Tax Postponement Program lets homeowners age 62 or older, or who are blind or disabled, put off current-year property taxes on their main home., For the 2026-27 year: household income of $57,002 or less, at least 40 percent equity in the home, and no reverse mortgage. Postponed taxes build 5 percent interest a year and are secured by a lien., Filing runs October 1 to February 10 each year. Call (800) 952-5661., Proposition 13 limits how fast your home assessed value can rise, and Proposition 19 lets many owners age 55 or older move and keep a lower tax base. Ask your county assessor. |
| Source | California State Controller / county assessors (sco.ca.gov) — checked November 8, 2026 |
Aging Services in California (Area Agencies on Aging)
Area Agencies on Aging, or AAAs, are local offices that help Californians age 60 and older and the people who care for them. They can help you find meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support, and benefits you may have missed. California has 33 AAAs. Call 800-510-2020 and you will be sent to the one for your county. Help is free.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | California Department of Aging / Area Agencies on Aging |
| How to apply | Call 800-510-2020 to reach the AAA for your county. |
| Phone | 800-510-2020 |
| Facts | California has 33 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs)., AAAs give meals, caregiver support, legal help, and help finding care at home. |
| Source | California Department of Aging / Area Agencies on Aging (aging.ca.gov) — checked November 8, 2026 |
Free Medicare Counseling in California (HICAP / SHIP)
HICAP is the California name for SHIP, the free Medicare counseling program. Trained counselors can explain Medicare, compare plans, help with appeals, and check if you may qualify for programs that lower your costs. They do not sell insurance. Call 800-434-0222 to reach a counselor near you.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) — the California SHIP |
| Phone | 800-434-0222 |
| Facts | In California, the federal SHIP program is called HICAP., Trained counselors give free, unbiased Medicare help. They do not sell insurance. |
| Source | Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) — the California SHIP (aging.ca.gov) — checked November 8, 2026 |
Applying for Benefits in California (County Social Services)
Most California benefit programs run through your county social services office. You can apply for CalFresh food benefits and Medi-Cal in one place at BenefitsCal.com. You can also apply at the county office in person. Bring proof of who you are, where you live, your income, and your bank accounts. The county makes the final decision.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | County social services offices / BenefitsCal |
| How to apply | Apply online at BenefitsCal.com or at your county social services office. One application can check CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and other programs. |
| Source | County social services offices / BenefitsCal (cdss.ca.gov) — checked November 8, 2026 |
Good to know in California
- Medicaid in California is called Medi-Cal. Counties decide who qualifies.
- California brought back an asset test for older adults and people with disabilities in Medi-Cal on January 1, 2026: $130,000 for one person, plus $65,000 for each added person (DHCS).
- California adds a state payment (SSP) on top of federal SSI.
- Food help in California is called CalFresh. Older adults get special rules that make it easier to qualify.
- California has 33 Area Agencies on Aging. Call 800-510-2020 to reach the one for your county.
- Free Medicare counseling in California is called HICAP. Call 800-434-0222.
- Homeowners age 62 or older with low income may postpone property taxes through the State Controller.
Benefits offices by city in California
Free local help
Three national programs connect you to help in your own community, at no cost: