Medicare Help in Ontario, California

This page covers the City of Ontario in San Bernardino County, California. For nearby cities, see Medicare help in Rancho Cucamonga or Medicare help in Fontana. For the statewide rules, start with Medicare help in California.

In Ontario, you apply for Medi-Cal, CalFresh and the Medicare Savings Programs through TAD. The county's Department of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) runs In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS). The city runs the senior center, the shuttle and the Ontario Municipal Utilities Company (OMUC), which bills for water, sewer and trash. Power comes from Southern California Edison (SCE) and gas from SoCalGas. Nearby Montclair and Upland use the same West Valley offices. If a parent just gave up the car keys, start with the city's free senior rides.

Local offices in Ontario

Not sure you qualify? Apply anyway, because the county decides, and one Medi-Cal form also checks you for the Medicare Savings Programs. 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 Ontario?

You can apply for Medi-Cal or CalFresh at BenefitsCal.com, by phone at 1-877-410-8829, or at a TAD office. Both Ontario offices, at 1627 and 1647 East Holt Boulevard, are open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 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, usually taken from your Social Security check. See Medicare and Medi-Cal together in California.

For IHSS, call the DAAS Central Intake Unit at 1-877-800-4544 on a weekday. Staff then visit your home, and your doctor fills out a form about your needs. Read more about IHSS in California.

What does the Ontario Senior Center offer?

The Ontario Senior Center, at 225 East B Street, is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays until noon. If you're 60 or older, lunch is free every weekday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Fill out an intake form first, and eat your meal there.

Staff can also call a parent who lives alone to check in, Monday to Wednesday. If you're 60 or older, Inland Counties Legal Services gives free legal help there, at (888) 245-4257. For anything else, call (909) 395-2021.

Where can I get free Medicare counseling in Ontario?

You can get free Medicare counseling at the Ontario Senior Center from the county's HICAP, the Council on Aging Southern California. Counselors are there the first and third Thursday of each month, from 9 a.m. to noon. Call (909) 256-8369 to book. HICAP doesn't sell insurance, and Pair Team doesn't sell plans either. Open Enrollment runs each year from October 15 to December 7, and a change you make starts January 1.

How do I get a ride in Ontario?

In Ontario, the city's free shuttle is Silver S.T.A.R.S., short for Senior Transportation and Recreation Shuttle. It's for Ontario residents 62 and older, or 50 and older with a disability. Vans go to doctors, pharmacies, banks and grocery stores inside city limits, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For an application, call (909) 395-2886, and expect a waiting list when rides are full.

For longer trips, OmniAccess vans serve Ontario if a disability keeps you off the bus. Call 1-800-966-6428 for an application. Once approved, book on the West Valley line, 1-800-990-2404, one to three days ahead. A trip costs $3.75 for up to three zones.

If you have Medi-Cal, your plan also gives rides to medical visits. See Medi-Cal rides in California.

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

To lower your city utility bill, ask OMUC for its $15 monthly discount for older adults and people with disabilities. Bring the form and your papers to 1333 South Bon View Avenue. If a bill is past due, call (909) 395-2050 for a payment plan.

For power and gas, start with LIHEAP through Community Action. In 2026, one person can qualify with income up to $3,331 a month, and two people up to $4,356, the state says. Call (909) 723-1500 and press 2 when rounds open on capsbc.org.

Then ask about CARE. SCE takes 30 to 35 percent off power at 1-800-655-4555, and SoCalGas takes 20 percent off gas at 1-800-427-2200. See LIHEAP in California.

Where can I get free food in Ontario?

For free food, sign up for the Ontario Senior Community Food Pantry at the senior center. It gives out shelf-stable food once a month to Ontario residents 50 and older, one per home. Only 50 people can pick up each day, so register early. Bring an ID that shows your age and address. Monthly food money comes from CalFresh.

Where can I get help with housing in Ontario?

The city's Housing Services office is at 208 West Emporia Street, open weekdays at (909) 395-2006. Its Hardship Reimbursement Program can pay you back for a sudden cost of up to $10,000 that puts your housing at risk. One person can make up to $89,450 a year to qualify, and money goes first come, first served. The city also lists affordable buildings, including senior ones, and each keeps its own list.

For Section 8, the county Housing Authority serves Ontario from its Upland office, (909) 982-2649. Its voucher list is closed, and waits often take years. For a bed tonight, call 211. See housing help in California.

What a Pair Team advocate does

In Ontario, calls to us often start with rides to the doctor. Your advocate makes the calls and follows up until there's an answer.

• Apply for the city shuttle with you, and set up rides to your doctor visits.
• Help you apply for the city's $15 utility discount, and for CARE.
• Book a HICAP visit, and sign you up for the senior food pantry.
• Call Central Intake with you for IHSS, and get ready for the home 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 Montclair or Upland. Is this my page?

If you live in Montclair or Upland, the county offices and OmniAccess line here are yours. But the shuttle, the senior pantry and the utility discount are for Ontario. Rancho Cucamonga has its own page: Medicare help in Rancho Cucamonga.

My parent lives in Fontana. Is there a page for that?

Fontana has its own page: Medicare help in Fontana. The county offices are the same, but Fontana has its own TAD office and OmniAccess line.

Who can get the city's senior utility discount?

The city's senior utility discount is for OMUC customers who qualify by age or disability, the city says. Call (909) 395-2050 to ask what to bring.

What if Silver S.T.A.R.S. has a waiting list?

If Silver S.T.A.R.S. has a waiting list, try other rides. With a disability, apply for OmniAccess at 1-800-966-6428, and with Medi-Cal, your plan gives rides to medical visits.

How do I report abuse of an older adult?

To report abuse of an older adult, call Adult Protective Services at 1-877-565-2020. DAAS answers it 24 hours a day, every day.

Sources

• Find an Office, Transitional Assistance Department
• TAD Ontario Office, 1647 E. Holt Blvd., Transitional Assistance Department
• TAD Ontario Office, 1627 E. Holt Blvd., Transitional Assistance Department
• In-Home Supportive Services, San Bernardino County DAAS
• Contact Us, San Bernardino County DAAS
• Medicare Counseling (HICAP), California Department of Aging
• Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program, Council on Aging Southern California
• Senior Services, City of Ontario
• OmniAccess, Omnitrans
• Customer Service, Ontario Municipal Utilities Company
• SoCalGas Ontario Community Update, City of Ontario
• Utility Assistance, Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County
• LIHEAP Income Eligibility, California Department of Community Services and Development
• CARE/FERA Program, California Public Utilities Commission
• Housing Services, City of Ontario
• Housing Programs and Services, City of Ontario
• Offices, Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino
• Apply for Housing, Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino
• Inland SoCal 211, Inland Southern California United Way
• 2026 Medicare Parts A and B Premiums and Deductibles, CMS