Medicare Help in Long Beach, California

This page covers Long Beach in Los Angeles County, not Long Beach, New York. For the City of Los Angeles, see Medicare help in Los Angeles. For the statewide rules, start with Medicare help in California.

In Long Beach, the county's DPSS handles Medi-Cal, CalFresh and paid help at home, called In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS). The city adds its own health department, senior centers, gas and water utility, buses and housing authority. Southern California Edison (SCE) sends the power bill. This page is for Downtown, Belmont Shore, Bixby Knolls, Uptown and East Long Beach. If a gas bill and a Medi-Cal renewal letter both landed on the kitchen table, start with the table below.

Local offices in Long Beach

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 Long Beach?

You can apply for Medi-Cal or CalFresh online at BenefitsCal.com, by phone at 1-866-613-3777, or in person. The DPSS offices in Long Beach are at 1500 Hughes Way, and they're open on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., the county says. 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.

For paid help at home, apply for IHSS by phone at 1-888-944-4477, and a social worker visits your home. See IHSS in California. With both, see Medicare and Medi-Cal together in California.

What does the Long Beach health department do for older adults?

The Long Beach health department runs the Healthy Aging Center for residents 55 and older. Its nurses and social workers can visit you at home or by video, make a care plan and link you to help. Call (562) 570-3529, or stop by Room 111 at the Long Beach Senior Center. The department's main number is (562) 570-4000.

Where are the senior centers in Long Beach?

The main one is the Long Beach Senior Center on East 4th Street, at (562) 570-3500. For help finding services, call its information desk at (562) 570-3533. The city's parks department also runs smaller senior programs, open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

If you can't shop or cook, Meals on Wheels of Long Beach brings meals on weekdays. Call (562) 439-5000, ext. 1, to ask the price and whether you can get help paying it. Monthly food money comes from CalFresh.

Where can I get free Medicare counseling in Long Beach?

For free Medicare counseling, call the Center for Health Care Rights, the county's HICAP, at 1-800-434-0222. Volunteer counselors also meet people at the Long Beach Senior Center; book at (213) 383-4519. Counselors help you compare plans, find help with costs and file appeals. HICAP doesn't sell insurance or plans, and Pair Team doesn't either.

How do I get rides in Long Beach?

For door-to-door rides, start with Access Services at 1-800-827-0829, because Dial-A-Lift only takes people Access has already approved. Dial-A-Lift serves Long Beach, Lakewood, Signal Hill and Paramount, for adults whose disability keeps them off the bus for good. You send a form, a doctor's statement and your Access card, then go to a checkup. The card costs $2, and each ride costs $2.

On Long Beach Transit buses, people 62 and older pay 60 cents with a reduced fare card. With Medi-Cal, your plan also gives rides to medical visits.

How do I lower my gas, water and power bills in Long Beach?

To lower your Long Beach Utilities bill, ask for the Low Income Senior or Disability Discount. It takes 20 percent off gas and drops the 5 percent city utility tax on gas, water, power and phone bills. You also pay nothing for your first tier of water. Apply by mail or at the Long Beach Senior Center. If you're under the income limit but not older or disabled, the Low Income Gas Discount still takes 20 percent off gas.

For power, call SCE at 1-800-655-4555 and ask about CARE, which takes 30 to 35 percent off. Medi-Cal, CalFresh or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can qualify you, the state utility commission says.

For help paying a bill, Long Beach Community Action Partnership runs LIHEAP at 117 W. Victoria St. Money is short in 2026, so it's only booking homes whose service is already off. See LIHEAP in California.

How do I get housing help in Long Beach?

The Housing Authority of the City of Long Beach waiting list is closed, and no openings are scheduled, it says. Its office moved to 1500 Hughes Way, and you need an appointment, so call (562) 570-6985 first. Staff speak Khmer, Spanish and Tagalog. If you could lose your home, call the city's Multi-Service Center at (562) 570-4500. See housing help in California.

What a Pair Team advocate does

In Long Beach, a call to us about Medicare often comes with a Long Beach Utilities bill or a Dial-A-Lift form. Your advocate makes the calls and follows up until there's an answer.

• Help you apply for the Long Beach Utilities discount, and for CARE with SCE.
• Help you get approved by Access Services, then send the Dial-A-Lift form and doctor's statement.
• Set up a visit with the Healthy Aging Center or a HICAP counselor at the senior center.
• Help you apply for IHSS by phone and get ready for the social worker's visit.

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 Long Beach, New York. Is this my page?

If you live in Long Beach, New York, this page isn't yours, because it covers Long Beach, California. Your help comes from Nassau County. Start with Medicare help in Nassau County or Medicare help in New York.

I live in Signal Hill or Lakewood. Is this my page?

If you live in Signal Hill or Lakewood, part of this page is yours. Dial-A-Lift, Meals on Wheels of Long Beach, DPSS and HICAP serve both cities. The Healthy Aging Center and the Older Adult Shallow Subsidy are for Long Beach residents only.

How long does DPSS take to decide?

DPSS generally has 45 days to decide on Medi-Cal and the Medicare Savings Programs. For CalFresh, counties decide within 30 days. If you haven't heard back, call 1-866-613-3777.

What if I get a shut-off notice from Long Beach Utilities?

If you get a shut-off notice from Long Beach Utilities, call (562) 570-5700 the same day and ask for a payment plan. If your service is already off, call Long Beach Community Action Partnership at 1-888-351-4061.

Does Long Beach help older adults pay rent?

Long Beach has an Older Adult Shallow Subsidy, but it isn't taking applications now, the city says. When it's open, it pays about $400 to $500 a month toward rent, up to $12,000 over two years, for renters 62 and older, or 55 and older with a disability. If you could lose your home, call (562) 570-4500.

Sources

• Office Locations, Los Angeles County DPSS
• South Special, Los Angeles County Services Locator
• Contact Us, Los Angeles County DPSS
• Health and Human Services, City of Long Beach
• Healthy Aging Center, City of Long Beach
• Older Adult Shallow Subsidy, City of Long Beach
• Long Beach Senior Center, Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine
• How to Get Free Medicare Help, Center for Health Care Rights
• Dial-A-Lift, Long Beach Transit
• Seniors, Long Beach Transit
• Low Income Senior or Disability Discount Program, Long Beach Utilities
• Low Income Gas Discount Program, Long Beach Utilities
• Utility Assistance Programs, Long Beach Utilities
• Energy Assistance, Long Beach Community Action Partnership
• Services in Los Angeles County, California Department of Community Services and Development
• CARE/FERA Program, California Public Utilities Commission
• Contact Us, Housing Authority of the City of Long Beach
• About Us, Meals on Wheels of Long Beach
• Overview, Access Services
• Older Adult Shallow Subsidy Program, City of Long Beach
• 2026 Medicare Parts A and B Premiums and Deductibles, CMS