DiscoverSeniorBenefits.com · Free community handout
2026 Senior Benefits Checklist
Santa Barbara County, California
54 programs18 categoriesEvery one linked to its official sourceLast verified · July 22, 2026
Free · No Social Security number · No credit card · Not a government agency
Start here — the free 5-minute benefits check
- 1Answer a few plain-English questions (age, ZIP, rough income).
- 2See which of these programs fit — with a dollar estimate for each.
- 3Call or apply to your top match, using this sheet's phone numbers.
discoverseniorbenefits.com/scan?src=checklist-santa_barbara
Cash Assistance
Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI)
$11,500–$17,300/yrwww.cdss.ca.govLast verified · July 20, 2026
Elder Services
Area Agency on Aging (ADRC) — Santa Barbara County
$500–$6,000/yr1-800-510-2020aging.ca.govLast verified · July 20, 2026
Employment
Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)
$15,000–$17,000/yr1-877-872-5627www.dol.govLast verified · June 14, 2026
Energy Assistance
LIHEAP — California Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
$300–$1,000/yr1-866-675-6623www.csd.ca.govLast verified · July 20, 2026
Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) — Santa Barbara County
$350–$1,000/yr1-866-675-6623www.csd.ca.govLast verified · July 20, 2026
Food Assistance
Home-Delivered Meals (Meals on Wheels)
$1,500–$4,000/yr1-800-677-1116acl.govLast verified · May 13, 2026
CalFresh for Seniors (60+)
$1,200–$3,000/yr1-877-847-3663www.cdss.ca.govLast verified · July 20, 2026
Congregate Meals at Senior Centers
$1,000–$2,500/yr1-800-677-1116acl.govLast verified · May 13, 2026
Health Coverage
Medi-Cal for Seniors (Aged & Disabled FPL Program)
$4,000–$15,000/yr1-800-541-5555www.dhcs.ca.govLast verified · July 20, 2026
Healthcare
VA Health Care
$5,000–$20,000/yr1-877-222-8387www.va.govLast verified · July 19, 2026
Hospital Charity Care / Financial Assistance — Santa Barbara County
$500–$20,000/yr211hcai.ca.govLast verified · June 21, 2026
CHAMPVA (Civilian Health and Medical Program of the VA)
$3,000–$15,000/yr1-800-733-8387www.va.govLast verified · July 19, 2026
Home Care
Home and Community-Based Alternatives (HCBA) Waiver
$20,000–$90,000/yr916-552-9105www.dhcs.ca.govLast verified · May 16, 2026
Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)
$30,000–$80,000/yr1-855-921-PACEwww.dhcs.ca.govLast verified · May 13, 2026
Assisted Living Waiver (ALW)
$30,000–$60,000/yrwww.dhcs.ca.govLast verified · July 8, 2026
Housing
Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)
$8,000–$20,000/yr1-800-955-2232www.hud.govLast verified · July 22, 2026
HUD Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly
$5,000–$15,000/yr1-800-955-2232www.hud.govLast verified · July 22, 2026
Housing Assistance
California Property Tax Postponement (PTP)
$3,000–$10,000/yr1-800-952-5661www.sco.ca.govLast verified · July 20, 2026
Dignity at Home Fall Prevention Program
aging.ca.govLast verified · July 20, 2026
Income Support
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
$11,928–$17,892/yr1-800-772-1213www.ssa.govLast verified · June 15, 2026
General Relief (Santa Barbara County)
1-805-681-4401www.countyofsb.orgLast verified · May 24, 2026
Long Term Care
PACE — Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly
$6,000–$40,000/yr1-800-633-4227www.medicaid.govLast verified · June 21, 2026
Veterans Homes of California (Long-Term Care)
www.calvet.ca.govLast verified · July 9, 2026
Medicare Savings
Extra Help (Part D Low-Income Subsidy)
$4,000–$5,300/yr1-800-772-1213www.ssa.govLast verified · June 14, 2026
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)
$2,435–$3,500/yr1-800-MEDICAREwww.medicare.govLast verified · July 22, 2026
Qualifying Individual (QI)
$2,400–$2,435/yr1-800-MEDICAREwww.medicare.govLast verified · July 22, 2026
Supportive Services
National Family Caregiver Support Program (OAA Title III-E)
$1,000–$5,000/yr1-800-677-1116acl.govLast verified · May 16, 2026
Older Americans Act Supportive Services (Title III-B)
$500–$3,000/yr1-800-677-1116acl.govLast verified · June 15, 2026
California Reduced-Fee Hunting and Fishing Licenses for Disabled Veterans
$54–$108/yr916-928-5805wildlife.ca.govLast verified · July 20, 2026
Tax Relief
California Disabled Veterans' Property Tax Exemption (Low-Income)
$2,000–$3,000/yrwww.boe.ca.govLast verified · July 20, 2026
California Disabled Veterans' Property Tax Exemption (Basic)
$1,500–$2,000/yrwww.boe.ca.govLast verified · July 20, 2026
Federal Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled (IRS Schedule R)
$0–$1,125/yr1-800-829-1040www.irs.govLast verified · July 22, 2026
Transportation
Santa Barbara MTD Senior Reduced Fare
$200–$600/yr1-805-963-3366sbmtd.govLast verified · May 24, 2026
California Disabled Veteran (DV) License Plates — Registration Fee Exemption
www.dmv.ca.govLast verified · July 20, 2026
Easy Lift Dial-A-Ride ADA Paratransit (Santa Barbara County)
1-805-681-1181www.easylift.orgLast verified · May 24, 2026
Utility Assistance
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
$3,000–$8,000/yrwww.energy.govLast verified · July 22, 2026
California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE)
$300–$700/yr1-866-743-2273www.cpuc.ca.govLast verified · July 20, 2026
Federal Lifeline
$111–$411/yr1-800-234-9473www.fcc.govLast verified · June 14, 2026
Veteran Benefits
VA Aid & Attendance (Improved Pension)
$12,000–$34,488/yr1-800-827-1000www.va.govLast verified · July 19, 2026
Documents to gather before applying
- Photo ID (driver's license or state ID)
- Social Security card
- Medicare card (if enrolled)
- Proof of income (award letter, pay stubs, pension statement)
- Recent bank statements
- Proof of residency (utility bill or lease)
- List of current medications
- Insurance cards
Local starting point
The Area Agency on Aging serving Santa Barbara County — California Department of Aging / Aging & Disability Resource Connection
1-800-510-2020
Your local Area Agency on Aging can walk through any program on this list by phone.