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Pair Team

Medicare Help in California

Here's who to call in California for help with Medicare costs, Medi-Cal, home care, rides, food and power bills.

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  • An advocate is covered by Medicare if you qualify.
  • Works with Medicare and Medi-Cal health plans
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Key points

  • The Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) is California's free Medicare counseling. Call 1-800-434-0222 to reach your local office.
  • In 2026, Medi-Cal for people 65 and older allows up to $130,000 in savings for one person. On July 1, 2027, that limit drops to $21,000.
  • If you have Medi-Cal, CalFresh or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you may qualify for California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE). It takes 30 to 35 percent off your electric bill.
  • You can apply for Medi-Cal, the Medicare Savings Programs and CalFresh online at BenefitsCal.com.

In California, most of the help that comes with Medicare runs through your county. That includes Medi-Cal, the Medicare Savings Programs, CalFresh and paid help at home. If you've been sent from office to office, the table below shows who to call for each need.

Where to get help in California

What you need Program Who to contact Phone or website
Help paying what Medicare costs you Medicare Savings Programs, through Medi-Cal Your county Medi-Cal office BenefitsCal.com, or the Medi-Cal Helpline at 1-800-541-5555
Health coverage on top of Medicare Medi-Cal Your county social services office BenefitsCal.com, or 1-800-541-5555
Lower prescription costs Extra Help Social Security 1-800-772-1213, or ssa.gov
Free advice on Medicare choices HICAP California Department of Aging 1-800-434-0222
Paid help at home In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Your county IHSS office Your county social services office
Rides to appointments Medi-Cal rides Your Medi-Cal plan Member services number on your plan card
Food CalFresh Your county social services office BenefitsCal.com
Power and gas bills Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and CARE discounts A local LIHEAP agency; your power company for CARE csd.ca.gov
Meals, senior centers, caregiver help Area Agency on Aging California Department of Aging line 1-800-510-2020
A Medi-Cal, CalFresh or IHSS decision you disagree with State hearing California Department of Social Services 1-800-743-8525
A Medicare denial Medicare appeal Medicare 1-800-633-4227 (1-800-MEDICARE)

Not sure you qualify? Apply anyway, because the county decides and one Medi-Cal application also checks you for the Medicare Savings Programs. If you would rather not do it alone, a Pair Team advocate can sort it out with you in one call.

How do I get help paying for Medicare in California?

To get help paying for Medicare in California, apply for a Medicare Savings Program through Medi-Cal. The biggest one, Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB), pays your copays at the doctor and the hospital. It also pays the $202.90 a month Medicare costs you in 2026, usually taken out of your Social Security check. QMB is for people with income up to $1,330 a month if you live alone. That's what California's Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) says. See California Medicare Savings Programs for all three.

Can I get Medi-Cal if I have Medicare?

Yes, you can get Medi-Cal with Medicare if your income and savings are low enough. Medi-Cal can pay for things Medicare does not, like paid help at home through IHSS. Since January 1, 2026, it counts savings again for people 65 and older. One person can have up to $130,000, not counting a home and main car. Read Medicare and Medi-Cal together.

How do I get Extra Help with prescriptions?

To get Extra Help with prescriptions, apply with Social Security online or at 1-800-772-1213. Extra Help lowers what you pay for drugs, like your copays at the pharmacy. If you have Medi-Cal, SSI or a Medicare Savings Program, you get it on its own with no form, Medicare says. See Extra Help with prescription costs.

Where can I get free help with Medicare choices?

For free help with Medicare choices, call HICAP at 1-800-434-0222 to reach your county's office. Counselors give private help with Medicare plans, Medi-Cal and appeals, and don't sell insurance.

Can Medi-Cal pay for help at home?

Yes, Medi-Cal can pay for help at home through IHSS. It pays a helper for things like bathing, dressing, cooking and cleaning. You need Medi-Cal, and a county social worker visits your home to decide how many hours you get. You pick and hire the helper. Read about IHSS.

Does Medi-Cal give rides to the doctor?

Yes, Medi-Cal gives rides to medical, dental and mental health visits, and to pick up prescriptions, DHCS says. To book, call your Medi-Cal plan's member services line. A wheelchair van or ambulance needs an order from your doctor. Read about Medi-Cal rides.

How do seniors get CalFresh in California?

To get CalFresh in California, apply on BenefitsCal.com or at your county social services office. CalFresh puts money for food on a card each month. Since June 2019, people on SSI can get CalFresh too, and it doesn't lower the SSI check. The county decides within 30 days. See CalFresh for seniors.

Is there help with power and gas bills?

Yes, two programs help with power and gas bills. LIHEAP can make a one-time payment on your bill, with faster help if you have a shut-off notice. Apply at a local agency listed on csd.ca.gov. CARE is a discount from your power company: 30 to 35 percent off electric and 20 percent off gas. From June 2026 to May 2027, you can get CARE with income up to $43,280 a year for one or two people. Read about LIHEAP.

Who do I call for meals and senior centers?

Your Area Agency on Aging can point you to meals, senior centers and help for family caregivers. Call 1-800-510-2020 from anywhere in the state to reach the office for your area.

What if Medi-Cal, CalFresh or IHSS says no?

If Medi-Cal, CalFresh or IHSS says no, you can ask for a state hearing. Call the California Department of Social Services at 1-800-743-8525, or fill in the form on the back of your notice. You usually have 90 days, and 120 days for some Medi-Cal renewal decisions. If the no came from your Medi-Cal plan, appeal to the plan first.

What if Medicare denies a service?

If Medicare denies a service, you can appeal, and Medicare says you'll get written steps that tell you how. HICAP can help you for free. Read how to appeal a Medicare denial.

Local help

Each page below lists local offices and phone lines:

Anywhere else, dial 211 for local food, housing and utility help.

What a Pair Team advocate does

Most people who call us about Medicare have something else going on too. Often it's a county form with a deadline, or a past-due bill.

  • Help you apply on BenefitsCal, then call the county until you have an answer.
  • Get the IHSS forms in and get you ready for the home visit.
  • Book Medi-Cal rides, and help you sign up for van rides.
  • Help with CalFresh, CARE and LIHEAP forms, and with a state hearing if you're told no.

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

Is HICAP part of Medi-Cal?

No, HICAP isn't part of Medi-Cal. It's free counseling through the California Department of Aging, and your county, not HICAP, decides who gets Medi-Cal.

Do I have to apply for each program on its own?

You don't always have to apply for each program on its own. Medi-Cal and the Medicare Savings Programs use the same application, DHCS says, and Extra Help comes on its own with Medi-Cal. IHSS and LIHEAP each have their own forms.

What changes for Medi-Cal in 2027?

Medi-Cal's savings limit drops on July 1, 2027, to $21,000 for one person and $31,000 for two, DHCS says. You report savings at renewal, so if you're close, ask HICAP or your county now.

Does it cost money to apply?

No, applying for Medi-Cal or CalFresh is free. If someone asks you to pay, hang up and call your county.

What does 211 do?

211 is a free, private line that finds local help with food, rent and utilities. It's open all day, every day, the state says.

Sources

Cities in California

Guides for California

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