Medicare Help in Contra Costa County

This page covers Contra Costa County. For the statewide rules, start with Medicare help in California. Across the hills, see Medicare help in Oakland or Medicare help in Hayward.

In Contra Costa County, EHSD handles Medi-Cal, CalFresh and the Medicare Savings Programs. Its Aging and Adult Services runs IHSS, HICAP and the Area Agency on Aging. Your Medi-Cal plan is usually Contra Costa Health Plan (CCHP), which the county runs. This page is for Concord, Richmond, Antioch, Walnut Creek, Pittsburg, San Ramon, Martinez, Brentwood and the rest of the county. If a parent in Antioch just gave up the car keys, Tri Delta's senior van may be your first call.

Local offices in Contra Costa County

Not sure you qualify? Apply anyway, because EHSD makes the call. In 2026, one person 65 or older can have up to $130,000 in savings, the county says. If you would rather not do it alone, a Pair Team advocate can help you in one call.

Where do I apply for Medi-Cal in Contra Costa County?

You can apply for Medi-Cal online at BenefitsCal.com, by phone at (866) 663-3225, or at a district office. The phone line opens at 8 a.m. on weekdays, and EHSD says to call early. There's no office in Concord or Walnut Creek, so Central County goes to Pleasant Hill.

The same form checks you for the Medicare Savings Programs. They can pay the $202.90 a month Medicare costs you in 2026. If CCHP is your plan, its member line is 1-877-661-6230, option 2. See Medicare and Medi-Cal together in California.

How do I get IHSS in Contra Costa County?

To get IHSS, call Aging and Adult Services at (925) 229-8434. You don't need to go to the office, because a social worker comes to your home, the county says. You need Medi-Cal and a health form from your doctor.

You can hire a family member or a friend. If you don't know anyone, the IHSS Public Authority at 1-800-333-1081 gives you a list of three to six caregivers. In 2026, IHSS pays caregivers here $20.03 an hour, the state's wage list says. See IHSS in California.

Where can I get free Medicare counseling in Contra Costa County?

For free Medicare counseling, call Contra Costa County HICAP at 925-655-1393. The county runs it, and counselors meet by phone, by video or at senior centers, by appointment only. Each fall, October 15 to December 7, HICAP asks you to use the online form at cchicap.org for plan changes. During those weeks, a call back can take up to a week. HICAP and Pair Team don't sell plans.

How do I get a ride in Contra Costa County?

Rides depend on where you live, so start with the service for your area.

• Tri Delta Transit in East County runs door-to-door vans for anyone 65 or older. A ride within its area costs $2.75. To sign up, call 1-925-706-4398, then book at 1-925-754-3060.
• County Connection LINK in Central County is for people whose disability keeps them off the bus or train. A ride costs $5.00. Apply at 925-680-2138, and you hear back within 21 days.
• R-Transit serves Richmond, El Sobrante, Kensington and North Richmond at 55 and older. A ride booked ahead costs $4.00, or $5.00 the same day. Call (510) 307-8026.
• WestCAT Senior Dial-A-Ride serves older adults in Pinole, Hercules, Rodeo and Crockett, at 510-724-7993.
• County Connection buses cost $1.00 a ride with a Clipper card at 65 and older, or $1.25 in cash.
• Medi-Cal rides: if CCHP is your plan, call 1-855-222-1218, any hour, five to seven business days ahead. See Medi-Cal rides in California.

Where are the senior centers and lunch sites in Contra Costa County?

Cities run their own senior centers, and many host HICAP counselors or a lunch café.

At 60 and older, you can get a free lunch from Meals on Wheels Diablo Region. Its cafés are in Concord, Pittsburg, Walnut Creek, Brentwood, Bay Point and Rodeo. A $3.00 donation is welcome but not required. Call your café by 11:30 a.m. the day before, such as Concord at 925-825-1488. If you can't leave home, the same group delivers meals at 925-937-8311.

The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano gives low-income adults 55 and older free groceries twice a month. Call 855-309-3663 to find a site. Monthly food money comes from CalFresh.

How do I lower my PG&E bill in Contra Costa County?

To lower your PG&E bill, start with LIHEAP. Here, EHSD's Community Services Bureau runs it from 1470 Civic Court in Concord, at (925) 655-0960. Then ask PG&E about CARE at 1-866-743-5832. It takes 35 percent or more off electricity and 20 percent or more off gas, PG&E says.

In Concord, Richmond, Walnut Creek, Pittsburg, San Ramon and most other cities, MCE Clean Energy (MCE) supplies your power. PG&E still runs CARE for MCE customers, MCE says. Antioch and Brentwood aren't MCE cities. See LIHEAP in California.

What a Pair Team advocate does

In Contra Costa County, a call to us often starts with a Medi-Cal renewal or a missed ride to the doctor.

• Apply for Medi-Cal with you through (866) 663-3225, and follow up with EHSD until there's an answer.
• Apply for IHSS at (925) 229-8434, and get your doctor's health form in.
• Sign you up for Tri Delta's senior van, County Connection LINK or R-Transit, and book Medi-Cal rides.
• Set up a HICAP appointment, and help you apply for LIHEAP and CARE.

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 Concord, Walnut Creek or San Ramon. Is this my page?

Yes, this page covers Concord, Walnut Creek, San Ramon and the rest of Central County. For Medi-Cal, go to 400 Ellinwood Way in Pleasant Hill or call (866) 663-3225. If a disability keeps you off the bus, County Connection LINK serves your area.

I live in Antioch, Pittsburg or Brentwood. Is this my page?

Yes, this page is for East County too. The district offices are at 4545 Delta Fair Boulevard in Antioch and 151 Sand Creek Road in Brentwood. Tri Delta Transit's senior van serves Antioch, Pittsburg, Bay Point, Brentwood, Oakley, Discovery Bay and nearby towns.

How do I get on the Contra Costa Housing Authority waitlist?

To get on a Housing Authority of the County of Contra Costa waitlist, sign up for waitlist alerts at contracostaha.org. Lists open several times a year but may stay open only a short time, the authority says. Its Martinez office is open Monday to Thursday and closed Fridays, at (925) 957-8000. See housing help in California.

I live in Richmond, San Pablo or Hercules. Is this my page?

Yes, this page is for West County too. The district offices are at 1305 Macdonald Avenue in Richmond and 151 Linus Pauling Drive in Hercules. R-Transit and WestCAT's Senior Dial-A-Ride both drive older adults here.

Who do I call if an older adult is being abused?

Call Adult Protective Services at (877) 839-4347 if an older adult is being abused, EHSD says. If someone is in danger right now, call 911.

Sources

• Apply for Services, Contra Costa County Employment and Human Services Department
• Medi-Cal and Health Coverage Options, Contra Costa County Employment and Human Services Department
• Contact Us, Contra Costa County Employment and Human Services Department
• Find an Office, Contra Costa County Employment and Human Services Department
• In-Home Supportive Services, Contra Costa County Employment and Human Services Department
• Information and Assistance, Contra Costa County Employment and Human Services Department
• County IHSS Wage Rates and the October 2026 wage list, California Department of Social Services
• Contact HICAP, Contra Costa County HICAP
• Counseling Locations, Contra Costa County HICAP
• Contra Costa: Services in My County, California Department of Aging
• Contra Costa County Medi-Cal Health Plans, DHCS
• Contra Costa Health Plan Medi-Cal, Contra Costa Health
• Contact Us for CCHP Members, Contra Costa Health
• Transportation for Medi-Cal Members, Contra Costa Health
• Paratransit Services, Tri Delta Transit
• Senior Paratransit Eligibility, Registration and Guide, Tri Delta Transit
• LINK Fares, County Connection
• LINK Eligibility and Registration, County Connection
• Fare Types and Prices, County Connection
• R-Transit, City of Richmond
• R-Transit Fares, City of Richmond
• Senior Dial-A-Ride, WestCAT
• Antioch Senior Center, City of Antioch
• Concord Senior Center, City of Concord
• Department Directory, City of Pittsburg
• Richmond Senior Center, City of Richmond
• Seniors, Walnut Creek Arts and Recreation
• Adults 55+, City of San Ramon
• Martinez Senior Center, City of Martinez
• Meals and Cafés, Meals on Wheels Diablo Region
• Services, Meals on Wheels Contra Costa
• Our Programs, Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano
• Services in Contra Costa County, California Department of Community Services and Development
• California Alternate Rates for Energy Program, PG&E
• Areas We Serve, MCE
• CARE and FERA Energy Bill Discounts, MCE
• Waitlist, Housing Authority of the County of Contra Costa
• Contact, Housing Authority of the County of Contra Costa
• Medicare Savings Programs in California, DHCS
• 2026 Medicare Parts A and B Premiums and Deductibles, CMS