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Medicare Help in Carson City

Here's who to call in Carson City for Medicare costs, Medicaid, food, rides and power bills. People 60 and older can ride the city bus free with a pass.

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Key points

  • The Division of Social Services (DSS) office at 2533 North Carson Street takes applications for Medicaid and food benefits. Its phone is 775-684-0800.
  • Free Medicare counseling comes from the Medicare Assistance Program (MAP). Call 1-800-307-4444, or ask at the Carson City Senior Center at 775-883-0703.
  • If you're 60 or older and live in Carson City, Jump Around Carson (JAC) buses are free with a Senior Bus Pass.
  • On Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., DSS staff help people apply at the senior center, and you can walk in.

This page covers Carson City, Nevada's capital, which is one city and county. For the statewide rules, start with Medicare help in Nevada.

In Carson City, the state runs most of the help that comes with Medicare. DSS takes your forms for Medicaid, the Medicare Savings Programs, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and energy help. The Aging and Disability Services Division (ADSD) has an office on College Parkway, and so does Nevada Medicaid. If getting across town to each office is hard, the senior center on Beverly Drive brings many of them under one roof. In Reno or Sparks, see Reno.

Local offices in Carson City

What you need Office Phone Website
Medicaid, Medicare Savings Programs and SNAP DSS Carson City District Office, 2533 North Carson Street, Suite 200 775-684-0800 accessnevada.nv.gov
Questions about your Medicaid coverage Nevada Medicaid Carson City office, 1919 College Parkway, Suite 120 775-684-3651, or 1-866-569-1746 nevadamedicaid.nv.gov
Power and gas bills DSS Energy Assistance Program North, 2527 North Carson Street, Suite 260 775-684-0730 dss.nv.gov
Free Medicare counseling MAP, run in the north by Access to Healthcare Network 775-284-1892, or 1-800-307-4444 adsd.nv.gov
Help at home and the Frail Elderly waiver ADSD Carson City Regional Office, 1550 East College Parkway 775-687-4210 adsd.nv.gov
Meals, the senior bus pass and on-site help Carson City Senior Center, 911 Beverly Drive 775-883-0703 carsoncityseniorcenter.org
Finding long-term help at home Nevada Care Connection 877-861-1893 accesstohealthcare.org
One-time rent, utility or prescription help Carson City Human Services, 900 East Long Street 775-887-2110 gethealthycarsoncity.org
City buses and door-to-door rides JAC and JAC Assist 775-841-7433 (775-841-RIDE) carsoncity.gov
A past-due NV Energy bill Special Assistance Fund for Emergencies (SAFE), through Friends In Service Helping (FISH), 138 East Long Street 775-882-3474 uwnns.org/SAFE
Southwest Gas payment plans Southwest Gas 877-860-6020 swgas.com
Food today Food Bank of Northern Nevada truck at the senior center, fourth Tuesday, 10 to 11 a.m. 775-883-0703 (senior center) carsoncityseniorcenter.org
Abuse, neglect or money taken from an older adult Adult Protective Services 888-729-0571 adsd.nv.gov
Any local service Nevada 211 211, or 1-866-535-5654 nevada211.org

Not sure you qualify? Apply anyway, because DSS makes the call. If you would rather not do it alone, a Pair Team advocate can help you apply in one call.

How do I apply for Medicaid in Carson City?

In Carson City, you apply for Medicaid at the DSS office or online at Access Nevada. The office is open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. One DSS form covers Medicaid for people 65 and older and SNAP, so you can ask for both at once. On Fridays, DSS staff also see people at the senior center's outreach office, at its west end.

Most people pay Medicare $202.90 a month in 2026, taken out of their Social Security check. If you still do, ask DSS about a Medicare Savings Program. In 2026, the biggest one covers one person with income up to $1,330 a month, DSS says. Medicaid health plans came to Carson City on January 1, 2026, but not for people 65 and older. You stay on fee-for-service Medicaid, Nevada Medicaid says, so you don't have to pick a plan.

Where can I get free Medicare advice in Carson City?

You can get free Medicare advice in Carson City from MAP, which Access to Healthcare Network runs in the north at 775-284-1892. The senior center also has MAP advisors, at 775-883-0703. Advisors aren't insurance agents and don't sell plans, the center says, and Pair Team doesn't sell plans either. They can check you for the Medicare Savings Programs and Extra Help.

What does the Carson City Senior Center offer?

The Carson City Senior Center, at 911 Beverly Drive, serves people 60 and older. Lunch is served on weekdays from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., for a suggested $2.25 donation. Meals on Wheels brings meals to Carson City residents 60 and older who can't shop or cook. It has a waitlist, the center says. While you wait, you can eat lunch there or take it to go. Nevada Legal Services visits once a month, the center says. Call 775-883-0703 to book.

How do I get around Carson City without driving?

To get around Carson City without driving, use JAC, the city bus. If you're 60 or older and live in Carson City, you ride free with a Senior Bus Pass. Sign up at the senior center front desk from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays, and bring a photo ID that shows your age. Routes 1 and 2B stop next to the center. Without a pass, the reduced fare is 75 cents, and your Medicare card counts as proof.

JAC Assist is for people whose disability keeps them off the bus. It picks you up at the curb, or at your door if you ask. A one-way trip within three-quarters of a mile of a bus route costs $3, the city says. A medical professional fills in part of the form, available at 775-841-7433. With Medicaid, you can also get rides to covered visits if you book three business days ahead. Most people 65 and older book them with MTM at 1-844-879-7341.

Is there help with power and gas bills in Carson City?

Yes, Carson City has help with power and gas bills from NV Energy and Southwest Gas. The state Energy Assistance Program has its northern office here, at 775-684-0730. It pays once a year, straight to your utility. Through June 30, 2027, one person can have income up to $1,995 a month, DSS says.

If an NV Energy bill is past due, SAFE can pay up to $500 a year, the United Way says. In Carson City, you apply in person with FISH on East Long Street. For a Southwest Gas bill, call 877-860-6020 to ask about a payment plan or its Energy Share fund.

Can Carson City help with rent or a bill?

Yes, Carson City Human Services may help one time with rent, a utility bill or an emergency prescription. You must live in Carson City and meet county income rules. The city pays only after other help is used up. Call 775-887-2110, or go to 900 East Long Street. Medicare counselors and Medicaid helpers also meet people in the same building.

What a Pair Team advocate does

In Carson City, much of the work is getting the right form to the right state office.

  • Help you apply on Access Nevada or at the senior center on a Friday, then follow up with DSS.
  • Sign you up for a Senior Bus Pass or JAC Assist, and book Medicaid rides.
  • Get your Energy Assistance Program form in, and go to FISH with you if a bill is past due.
  • Connect you with a MAP advisor and Nevada Care Connection, and help with a fair hearing if you're told no.

An advocate is covered by Medicare if you qualify. It takes two minutes to find out.

Check if you qualify for a Pair Team advocate

Frequently asked questions

I live in Douglas County or Dayton. Is this my page?

If you live in Douglas County or Dayton, MAP's northern partner serves you too. But the senior center's meals and bus pass are for Carson City residents only. In Douglas County, a state worker helps with Medicaid and SNAP forms at Douglas County Social Services in Gardnerville, 775-782-9825. The nearest DSS office is Carson City's. At 60 and older, call Douglas County Senior Services at 1329 Waterloo Lane in Gardnerville, 775-782-5500. Dayton is in Lyon County, so call Lyon County Human Services at 775-577-5009.

What does Nevada Care Connection do?

Nevada Care Connection helps older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers find long-term help, like care at home. Access to Healthcare Network runs it for northern Nevada, including Carson City, Douglas and Lyon counties. Call 877-861-1893, or ask the senior center about a visit there.

Is the Senior Bus Pass really free?

Yes, the Senior Bus Pass is free for Carson City residents 60 and older, paid for by an ADSD grant. Each pass runs July 1 to June 30 while the grant money lasts, JAC says.

What if DSS turns down my application?

If DSS turns down your application, you can ask for a fair hearing. Meet the deadline on your notice. Hearings take place by phone, and the hearings office is at 702-486-1910.

How do I report abuse or a scam?

To report abuse, neglect or money taken from an older adult in Carson City, call Adult Protective Services at 888-729-0571, ADSD says. If someone is in danger right now, call 911.

Sources

More cities in Nevada

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