Medicare Help in Hayward

This page covers the City of Hayward in Alameda County. For the statewide rules, start with Medicare help in California. Nearby, see Medicare help in Fremont, Oakland or Contra Costa County.

In Hayward, the Alameda County Social Services Agency handles Medi-Cal, CalFresh and In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), paid help at home. The Hayward Area Recreation and Park District runs the senior center, and the city runs its own rides and water service. Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) sends the power bill. This page is for Downtown, South Hayward, Mt. Eden, Tennyson, Fairway Park and the Hayward hills. If your father gave up his car this year and the bus feels like too much, start with HOP below.

Local offices in Hayward

Not sure you qualify? Apply anyway, because the county makes the call and some of your income may not count. 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 or CalFresh in Hayward?

You can apply online at BenefitsCal.com, by phone at (510) 272-3663, or at the county's office on Amador Street. It used to be called the Eden Area Multi-Service Center. Its lobby is open from 8:30 to 5 on weekdays, the county says. If you already get benefits, call (510) 263-2420.

The same Medi-Cal form checks you for the Medicare Savings Programs. They can pay your copays and the $202.90 a month Medicare costs you in 2026. With both, see Medicare and Medi-Cal together in California.

To apply for IHSS, call (510) 577-1800. You need full Medi-Cal and a health form signed by your doctor. See IHSS in California.

What does the Hayward Area Senior Center offer?

The Hayward Area Senior Center, at 22325 N. Third Street, is open to everyone 50 and older, with classes, trips and help finding services.

Spectrum Community Services serves lunch there on weekdays at noon. Call 510-881-6766 or sign up at the desk by noon, at least three business days ahead. You fill out a form once a year first. A gift toward the meal is welcome, and no one is turned away for not giving.

Josephine Lum Lodge on Oliver Drive also serves lunch on weekdays at noon. Call 510-785-1997 to book. If you can't leave home, call SOS Meals on Wheels. Monthly food money comes from CalFresh.

How do I get rides in Hayward?

For rides around town, start with HOP, the city's own program. It's for people 70 and older who live in Hayward, Castro Valley, San Lorenzo, Ashland or Cherryland. If you're 18 to 69, you need East Bay Paratransit approval or a medical form. Apply online in English, Spanish or Chinese, or call 510-583-4230, extension 1, for a paper form.

A ride costs $4 one way for up to 10 miles and $6 up to 20, charged to your card. To book, call extension 2, or text "Book" to 510-925-1700 for an Uber. Book a ride with a helper or a wheelchair van a day ahead. With Medi-Cal, CalFresh or a very low income, ask about the Means-Based Fare, which makes HOP rides free.

For longer trips, East Bay Paratransit serves people whose disability keeps them off buses, for $4 up to 12 miles. With Medi-Cal, your plan also gives rides to medical visits.

Where can I get free Medicare counseling in Hayward?

For free Medicare counseling in Hayward, call HICAP at Legal Assistance for Seniors, (510) 839-0393. Counselors help you compare plans, find help with costs and file an appeal. HICAP doesn't sell insurance or plans, and Pair Team doesn't either.

How do I lower my water and power bills in Hayward?

Most Hayward homes get water and sewer service from the city. If yours does, call the Revenue Division at 510-583-4610 about its low-income program. It cuts or waives some water, sewer and garbage charges. Some homes get water from the East Bay Municipal Utility District instead, so check the name on your bill.

For power, Ava Community Energy is the default supplier for Hayward homes, and PG&E delivers it and sends the bill. Discounts work the same either way, Ava says. Call PG&E at 1-866-743-5832 to ask about CARE. It takes 30 to 35 percent off your electric bill and 20 percent off gas, the state utility commission says.

For a past-due bill, Spectrum runs LIHEAP at (510) 881-0300. A home of one can make up to $3,331.66 a month in 2026, Spectrum says. Homes with the most need come first. See LIHEAP in California.

How do I get housing help in Hayward?

The Housing Authority of the County of Alameda runs Section 8 for Hayward, from its office on Atherton Street. Its waiting list has been closed since May 6, 2024. It will post openings at haca.net and on its phone line, (510) 538-8876, extension 1. Never pay anyone to apply, it warns.

If you own your home, the city's repair grants through Habitat for Humanity can reach $25,000. Call the city's Community Services Division at (510) 583-4250. See housing help in California.

What a Pair Team advocate does

In Hayward, a call to us about Medicare often comes with a past-due water bill or a missed ride.

• Apply for Medi-Cal and IHSS with you, and get your doctor's health form in.
• Fill out the HOP form with you and set up your first ride.
• Help you apply for the city's water discount and for CARE with PG&E.
• Book your lunch at the senior center, or set up a HICAP call.

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 Castro Valley or San Lorenzo. Is this my page?

If you live in Castro Valley or San Lorenzo, much of this page is yours. HOP, the county and the Housing Authority serve both. The Kenneth C. Aitken Senior and Community Center, at 17800 Redwood Road, serves lunch Monday to Thursday at noon. To book, call 510-881-6738. The water discount is only for City of Hayward water customers.

Can Fremont's senior helpline help me in Hayward?

Yes, Fremont's Aging and Family Services helps older adults and caregivers across the area, including Hayward, the City of Hayward says. Call its Senior InfoLine at 510-574-2041.

What if I get a shut-off notice from PG&E?

If you get a shut-off notice from PG&E, call the company the same day and ask for a payment plan. Then call Spectrum and say you have a notice. LIHEAP has crisis help for homes with a 24 to 48 hour shut-off notice, the state says.

Can I get one plan for Medicare and Medi-Cal in Hayward?

Yes, since January 2026 you can get one plan for both in Alameda County, called a Medi-Medi Plan, the state says. HICAP can help you compare it with what you have now.

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

Call Adult Protective Services at (510) 577-3500 or 1-866-225-5277, which the county lists as open 24 hours. If someone is in danger right now, call 911.

Sources

• Gail Steele Multi-Service Center, Alameda County Social Services Agency
• Hotlines, Alameda County Social Services Agency
• Medi-Cal: How to Apply, Alameda County Social Services Agency
• Receive IHSS, Alameda County Social Services Agency
• Senior / Active Adults (50 yrs +), Hayward Area Recreation and Park District
• Lunch Program, Hayward Area Recreation and Park District
• Senior Social Services, Hayward Area Recreation and Park District
• Community Centers, Hayward Area Recreation and Park District
• Senior Meal Sites, Spectrum Community Services
• Paratransit Program, City of Hayward
• Reserving Rides, City of Hayward
• Means-Based Fare Subsidy, City of Hayward
• Senior Services, City of Hayward
• Utilities, City of Hayward
• Low Income Discount Application, City of Hayward
• Rate Discounts and Assistance, Ava Community Energy
• LIHEAP, Spectrum Community Services
• CARE/FERA Program, California Public Utilities Commission
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, California Department of Community Services and Development
• Jurisdiction, Housing Authority of the County of Alameda
• Applying for Housing, Housing Authority of the County of Alameda
• Alameda: Services in My County, California Department of Aging
• Eligibility, East Bay Paratransit
• Fares and Map, East Bay Paratransit
• Get Food, Alameda County Community Food Bank
• SOS Meals on Wheels
• Medi-Medi Plans, DHCS
• Medicare Savings Programs in California, DHCS
• 2026 Medicare Parts A and B Premiums and Deductibles, CMS