Medicare Help in San Bernardino

This page covers the City of San Bernardino. For the statewide rules, start with Medicare help in California.

In San Bernardino, 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) and senior meals from its office on Hospitality Lane. The city runs two senior centers, and Omnitrans runs OmniAccess vans. This page serves Downtown, Del Rosa, Verdemont and the rest of the city. If money is tight and the water bill just came, the table below shows who to call.

Local offices in San Bernardino

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.

How do I apply for Medi-Cal, CalFresh or IHSS in San Bernardino?

You can apply for Medi-Cal or CalFresh in San Bernardino at BenefitsCal.com, by phone or at a TAD office. Live agents answer 1-877-410-8829 on weekdays. TAD's three offices in the city are at 2740 Little Mountain Dr., 1895 Del Rosa Ave. and 265 E 4th St. Each is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 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 Central Intake Unit at 1-877-800-4544 on a weekday. You can also apply in person at the DAAS office at 784 E Hospitality Ln., (909) 891-3900. Staff then visit your home, and your doctor fills out a form about your needs. Read more about IHSS in California.

Where can I get free Medicare counseling in San Bernardino?

You can get free Medicare counseling in San Bernardino from the Council on Aging Southern California, the county's HICAP. Call (909) 256-8369, or the state line at 1-800-434-0222. HICAP doesn't sell insurance, the council says, and Pair Team doesn't sell plans either. Each fall, Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7. A change you make starts January 1.

Where are the senior centers in San Bernardino?

The City of San Bernardino runs two senior centers for people 50 and older. The Fifth Street Senior Center, 600 W Fifth St., (909) 998-2800, has a computer lab, a billiards room and a large hall. The Perris Hill Senior Center, 780 E 21st St., (909) 998-2860, has a lunch program, bingo, cards and fitness classes. It's open Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Friday until 1.

If you're 60 or older, DAAS can also set up group meals or meals delivered to your home. Call its Senior Information and Assistance line at 1-800-510-2020 on weekdays.

How do I get OmniAccess in San Bernardino?

You can get OmniAccess van rides in San Bernardino if a disability keeps you from riding the bus. You need to apply and get approved first. Call 1-800-966-6428 to get an application by mail. Once approved, call the East Valley line at (909) 383-1680 one to three days ahead. Lines are open every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. A trip of up to three zones costs $3.75, plus $1 for each added zone.

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 San Bernardino?

To lower your water bill in San Bernardino, ask the city's Municipal Water Department about its Customer Assistance Program. It takes $20 a month off your bill if your home has low income. Send proof of last year's income for everyone in your home, or call (909) 384-5095 with questions.

For power and gas, start with LIHEAP through Community Action, at 696 S Tippecanoe Ave. In 2026, one person can qualify with income up to $3,331 a month, and two people up to $4,356, the state says. Appointments open in rounds at 8 a.m. on days posted on capsbc.org. Call (909) 723-1500 and press 2, with your bills, lease, photo ID and 30 days of income at hand.

Then ask about CARE: call SCE at 1-800-655-4555 to take 30 to 35 percent off power, or SoCalGas at 1-800-427-2200 to take 20 percent off gas. From June 2026 to May 2027, CARE is open to homes of one or two people making up to $43,280 a year. See LIHEAP in California.

Where can seniors get free food in San Bernardino?

For free food in San Bernardino, go to the Senior Mobile Pantry at the Fifth Street Senior Center. It runs on the third Thursday of each month, from 9 to 11 a.m. It's for homes with someone 60 or older and other homes with low income, and you just sign a form. The Community Action food bank at 696 S Tippecanoe Ave. also runs a senior food program at (909) 723-1581. Monthly food money comes from CalFresh.

Where can I get help with housing in San Bernardino?

The Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino serves the city from 672 S Waterman Ave. Call (909) 890-9533, Monday to Thursday and every other Friday. Its Section 8 waiting list is closed, but some building lists are open, including ones for people 62 and older in nearby cities. Apply online at hacsb.com, and expect a wait of years, the Housing Authority says. For a bed tonight, call 211. See housing help in California.

What a Pair Team advocate does

Here, a call to us often turns into a TAD renewal packet or a past-due water bill. Your advocate makes the calls and follows up until there's an answer.

• Help you apply for the water department's $20 monthly credit, and for CARE.
• Call with you when energy bill appointments open at Community Action.
• Help with the OmniAccess form, and book your first ride.
• Call Central Intake with you for IHSS, and get ready for the home interview.

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 Highland or Rialto. Is this my page?

If you live in Highland or Rialto, the county offices here are yours too, but check your own city for water and senior programs. Rialto has its own TAD office at 1175 W Foothill Blvd.

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

Fontana and Victorville have their own pages. The county offices are the same. But Fontana has its own TAD office on Sierra Avenue and a city senior center with a $4 lunch.

What if I miss the energy appointment day?

If you miss the energy appointment day, ask your utility for a payment plan. Community Action also says to call 211 for other help. Then try again when the next round opens on capsbc.org.

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 that line 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Does the Housing Authority have emergency housing?

The Housing Authority doesn't offer emergency housing, it says, but 211 can help. Dial 2-1-1 to look for a shelter bed or rent help.

Sources

• Transitional Assistance Department, San Bernardino County
• Find an Office, Transitional Assistance Department
• Apply for Medi-Cal, San Bernardino County Transitional Assistance Department
• In-Home Supportive Services, San Bernardino County DAAS
• Contact Us, San Bernardino County DAAS
• Senior Information and Assistance, San Bernardino County DAAS
• Adult Protective Services, 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 San Bernardino
• Fifth Street Senior Center, City of San Bernardino
• Perris Hill Senior Center, City of San Bernardino
• SB Direct, City of San Bernardino
• OmniAccess, Omnitrans
• Customer Service FAQs, San Bernardino Municipal Water Department
• Utility Assistance, Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County
• Food Bank, Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County
• LIHEAP Income Eligibility, California Department of Community Services and Development
• CARE/FERA Program, California Public Utilities Commission
• Senior Mobile Pantry, Feeding America Riverside San Bernardino
• 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