Senior benefits in Shasta County, California

Every California county is served by an Area Agency on Aging (AAA) and an Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) — a single point of contact that connects older adults, caregivers, and people with disabilities in Shasta County to in-home supportive services, home-delivered and congregate meals, transportation, family-caregiver support, benefits and insurance counseling (HICAP), and California's Medi-Cal home- and community-based long-term-care programs. Services are for adults 60 and older, with priority for those in greatest need. Call the Shasta County Area Agency on Aging directly at 530-842-1687, or reach the statewide Aging & Disability Resource Connection at 1-800-510-2020 to be connected to local services.

$500–$6,000/yr

California's Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps income-eligible households pay home heating and cooling bills, with one-time crisis help when service is past due or shut off. It is funded federally and run statewide by the California Department of Community Services & Development (CSD). In Shasta County it is delivered by the local CSD-contracted service provider; find yours with the CSD 'Find Services in Your Area' locator or the online application portal. Households generally qualify at or below 60% of the state median income; older adults and people with disabilities are prioritized. Payments usually go straight to the utility company. Apply online at CaLIHEAPApply or through your local provider.

$94–$1,500/yr

Hospitals serving Shasta County — including Dignity Health Mercy Medical Center Redding and Shasta Regional Medical Center — must provide financial assistance under California's Hospital Fair Pricing Act. Uninsured patients (and insured patients with high medical costs) with household income at or below 400% of the federal poverty level qualify for charity care or discounted payment; many nonprofit systems give fully free care at lower income levels (for example, Dignity Health provides free care up to 250% of the poverty level). Eligible patients are never charged more than the amounts generally billed to insured patients. Ask any hospital's financial-counseling or billing office for its Financial Assistance Policy and application; the state's HCAI publishes every hospital's policy.

$500–$20,000/yr

Shasta County's General Assistance (sometimes called General Relief) program is a county-funded cash-aid program for indigent adults who are not eligible for federal or state cash-assistance programs. For a low-income senior it is mainly a bridge while a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) claim is pending. To qualify you must be an adult Shasta County resident with limited income and resources who is not eligible for other categorical aid. To apply, contact the Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency at (530) 229-8400.

In this county: Shasta County General Assistance has conditions this check cannot confirm for you: you must be an indigent adult resident, not eligible for federal/state categorical aid. Specific eligibility tests are administered by the Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency. The published County page does not detail a maximum monthly grant amount. Call (530) 229-8400 to ask about General Assistance and how to apply.

RABA Response (formerly Demand Response) is the Redding Area Bus Authority's ADA paratransit service — an origin-to-destination, shared-ride, advance-reservation service for people whose disability functionally prevents them from using the fixed-route bus. Eligibility is based on your ability to use public transit, not your specific diagnosis: you may qualify if you cannot get to or from a bus stop, cannot board, ride, or exit a regular bus by yourself even when it is accessible, or cannot navigate the transit system on your own. The service area extends 3/4 mile on each side of RABA's fixed routes in the Redding area. Certification requires a completed RABA Response application and an in-person assessment; RABA mails an eligibility decision within 21 days. To request an application, call (530) 245-7076 or email RABA@RABAride.com.

In this county: RABA Response eligibility is a functional determination made through an application and an in-person assessment — this check cannot make this determination for you, and age alone does not qualify. Pick-ups and drop-offs must be within 3/4 mile of a RABA fixed route (check RABA's interactive map). A decision letter arrives within 21 days; if processing takes longer you may receive presumptive eligibility while you wait.

Redding Area Bus Authority (RABA) provides public transit service for Shasta County. Riders age 65 and older qualify for the senior reduced fare. Acceptable proof of eligibility typically includes a California DMV ID/license, Medicare card, or an agency-issued discount ID. RABA is the public transit operator for the City of Redding and surrounding Shasta County, also providing intercity service to Anderson, Shasta Lake, and limited service to Burney/Round Mountain. For more information or to apply for a discount ID, call 1-530-241-2877.

$75–$300/yr