Santa Clara County, CA vs Travis County, TX

CAPI is a 100% state-funded cash benefit that mirrors SSI for aged, blind, or disabled non-citizens who would qualify for federal SSI but are barred from it solely because of their immigration status. The monthly payment is set just below the combined SSI/SSP standard (typically about $10 less for an individual), so a CAPI recipient receives roughly the same monthly cash as a citizen on SSI. It is administered by county welfare departments on behalf of the California Department of Social Services. CAPI exists specifically to close the gap left when federal welfare reform restricted SSI for many lawfully present immigrants — a large share of California's low-income immigrant seniors are eligible but never apply because they assume immigration status disqualifies them from everything.

$11,500–$17,300/yr

LIHEAP helps low-income California households pay their home energy bills — electricity, natural gas, propane, wood, or oil. California's LIHEAP runs three sub-programs: HEAP (a one-time bill-payment credit), ECIP (Energy Crisis Intervention Program for households facing disconnection or already out of energy), and the Low-Income Weatherization Program (free home improvements that reduce energy use, like attic insulation, refrigerator replacement, weather stripping). Eligibility is based on household income at or below 60% of California's State Median Income, which varies by household size.

$300–$1,000/yr

CalFresh is California's name for SNAP (food stamps). For households where everyone is 60 or older (or has a disability), there's a simplified 'Elderly Simplified Application Project' — fewer documents, three-year recertification instead of one-year, and no work requirement. California's Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility means most senior households face no asset test for CalFresh. Benefits land on an EBT card and can be used at most grocery stores and farmers markets.

$1,200–$3,000/yr

Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid program. The Aged, Blind & Disabled Federal Poverty Level pathway covers seniors 65+ and people who are blind or disabled, providing comprehensive health coverage — doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, dental, vision, mental health, and long-term care — usually with no monthly premium. The income limit is 138% of the federal poverty level. California reinstated an asset limit for non-MAGI Medi-Cal programs (including this one) on January 1, 2026: $130,000 for a single applicant, plus $65,000 for each additional household member (so $195,000 for a couple). Current enrollees won't have assets reviewed until their first 2026 renewal; new applicants on or after January 1, 2026 must report assets at application.

$4,000–$15,000/yr

The Assisted Living Waiver pays the care portion of a stay at a participating Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE) or publicly subsidized senior housing for Medi-Cal beneficiaries who would otherwise need nursing home placement. The waiver covers personal care, assistance with activities of daily living, medication management, social services, and care coordination at the facility; the participant pays only the residency cost (room and board), which for SSI-eligible seniors is capped at the SSI/SSP non-medical out-of-home care rate (roughly $1,300 per month). ALW operates in 15 California counties and has limited slots; new applicants typically join a waiting list. The waiver is one of the few Medi-Cal pathways that pays for assisted living rather than only home-based care.

$30,000–$60,000/yr

CBAS is a Medi-Cal benefit that pays for adult day health centers — outpatient day programs that combine nursing, social work, therapy (physical, occupational, speech), personal care, meals, and transportation in a single facility, typically for two to five days per week. CBAS is designed for adults with chronic medical, cognitive, or mental health conditions who would otherwise be at risk of nursing facility placement. The program lets seniors stay at home overnight while receiving daily medical and social support, and provides essential respite for family caregivers. CBAS is delivered through Medi-Cal managed care plans (or fee-for-service for some populations) at over 200 licensed centers across California.

$15,000–$30,000/yr

The HCBA Waiver is California's Medi-Cal waiver for people with the highest level of medical need — those who would otherwise require ongoing care in a hospital or a nursing facility but can be safely served at home with intensive support. A waiver-agency registered nurse builds and manages an individualized care plan that can include in-home skilled nursing (including shift nursing for medically fragile people), care management, personal care, habilitation, family/caregiver training, medical equipment operating expenses, communication devices, environmental accessibility adaptations (wheelchair ramps, widened doorways, roll-in showers), and private-duty nursing. It is the most intensive of California's home-care alternatives and is intended to prevent or reverse institutional placement for medically complex individuals.

$20,000–$90,000/yr

IHSS pays for a caregiver to come to the home and help an aged, blind, or disabled person with personal care, housework, meal preparation, shopping, and other daily activities — keeping people out of nursing facilities. Hours are assessed by a county social worker based on individual need (up to 283 hours per month for severely impaired participants). The caregiver can often be a family member, including an adult child or spouse. IHSS requires Medi-Cal eligibility as a prerequisite.

$12,000–$50,000/yr

MSSP is a Medi-Cal Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver that provides care management and supportive services to keep frail seniors out of nursing homes. A nurse and social worker team builds a written care plan and coordinates a mix of in-home services that can include adult day care, transportation, minor home repairs (grab bars, ramps), personal care, respite care for family caregivers, protective supervision, and help paying for limited medical supplies. MSSP supplements — not replaces — IHSS and Medi-Cal-covered services. Eligibility requires Medi-Cal enrollment, age 65+, and certification that the senior is at risk of nursing facility placement (typically signaled by need for help with daily activities).

$3,000–$8,000/yr

PACE is a comprehensive, integrated care program for seniors who are certified eligible for nursing-home placement but want to keep living in the community. A single PACE organization becomes the participant's complete medical home — covering all primary care, specialists, hospital stays, prescriptions, physical and occupational therapy, dental, vision, hearing, mental health, transportation to medical appointments, meals, social activities, and adult day care at a PACE center. For seniors who have both Medicare and full-scope Medi-Cal, PACE replaces those benefits as a single program with $0 out-of-pocket cost, no copays, no deductibles, and no prescription cost-sharing. PACE is operated by 17 nonprofit organizations across roughly 17 California counties; participants must live within a PACE service area and agree to use only PACE-network providers.

$30,000–$80,000/yr

The Dignity at Home Fall Prevention Program helps older adults and people with disabilities avoid falls and stay safely in their own homes. Through local Area Agencies on Aging it provides in-home safety assessments, home modifications, fall-prevention education, and injury-prevention equipment. It is income-limited (adjusted household income at or below 80% of the area median income, which varies by county) and is for people who have fallen, are at risk of falling, or are at risk of being placed in a facility. Availability and the exact local provider vary by county.

Property Tax Postponement (PTP) lets qualifying senior, blind, or disabled homeowners defer their property taxes — the state pays the county on the homeowner's behalf, and the deferred amount becomes a lien on the property repaid when the home is sold, transferred, refinanced, or the owner moves out. It's one of California's most under-claimed senior benefits despite deferring thousands of dollars in property taxes each year. Applications for the 2025-26 fiscal year are accepted October 1, 2025 through February 10, 2026 on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted.

$3,000–$10,000/yr

Santa Clara County General Assistance (GA) is a county-funded cash-aid and employment-services program for indigent adults without dependent children who have no other means of support and are ineligible for federal or state cash aid. For a low-income senior, GA is mainly a bridge while a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or California Aid for the Indigent Disabled (CAPI) claim is pending. To qualify, you must be a Santa Clara County resident with at least 15 days of continuous physical presence and the intent to remain indefinitely, a U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen, and have no more than $500 in countable resources (the home you live in is not counted). Applicants with a verified medical disability are not expected to participate in the Vocational Services program. The County determines eligibility within 45 days of a complete application.

California exempts a portion of a disabled veteran's principal residence from property tax. The low-income tier exempts roughly the first $263,000 of assessed value for veterans with a service-connected disability rated at 100% by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (or who are receiving compensation at the 100% rate due to unemployability). The exemption is also available to unremarried surviving spouses of qualifying veterans, including survivors of service members who died on active duty. For a typical California home, this translates to roughly $2,000–$3,000 per year in property tax savings. The exemption is in addition to — and replaces — the standard Homeowners' Exemption; a homeowner can claim one or the other, not both.

$2,000–$3,000/yr

California exempts a portion of a disabled veteran's principal residence from property tax. The basic tier exempts roughly the first $175,000 of assessed value for veterans with a service-connected disability rated at 100% by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (or who are receiving compensation at the 100% rate due to unemployability), with NO income limit — it is available regardless of household income. The exemption is also available to unremarried surviving spouses of qualifying veterans, including survivors of service members who died on active duty or as a result of a service-connected condition. For a typical California home this translates to roughly $1,500–$2,000 per year in property tax savings. The exemption replaces the standard Homeowners' Exemption (a homeowner claims one or the other, not both), and a qualifying veteran claims the higher-value low-income tier instead if their household income is at or below the published limit.

$1,500–$2,000/yr

The Homeowners' Exemption reduces the assessed value of a primary residence by $7,000, saving an owner-occupant roughly $70 per year in property taxes. It's a one-time application — once granted, the exemption stays on the property as long as the owner continues to occupy it as their principal residence. Despite being one of the easiest California property tax benefits to claim, many homeowners forget to apply for it (particularly after a refinance or transfer triggers reassessment).

$70/yr

VTA ACCESS (formerly OUTREACH) is VTA's federally mandated ADA complementary paratransit service for Santa Clara County residents who cannot use fixed-route bus or light rail because of a physical, visual, or cognitive disability. Eligibility is functional, not based on age, income, or inability to drive — having a disability does not automatically qualify you. Certification involves submitting a one-page Data Card, a roughly 30-minute phone interview, and a possible physician follow-up, with an eligibility-determination letter mailed within 21 days. Determinations are Unconditional (use anytime), Conditional (use when bus/rail is not workable), or Temporary. Standard one-way trips are $4 and premium trips $16. Service matches VTA's fixed-route service area and hours.

$1,500–$4,000/yr

VTA's Senior Clipper card gives riders 65 and older automatic discounted fares on VTA bus and light-rail service throughout Santa Clara County. The card is free, does not expire, and there is no application fee. Riders using a Senior Clipper card automatically receive senior fare discounts on monthly passes, day passes, ride books, tickets, cash-value fares, and transfers; VTA's senior monthly pass is $30. Apply online at clippercard.com or in person at VTA's Downtown Customer Service Center (2 North Market Street, San Jose; Mon–Fri 9 AM–6 PM) or River Oaks Administrative Offices (3331 North First Street, San Jose; Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–4 PM). The RTC discount card is no longer issued to seniors except for cases where an attendant card is also required.

$150–$600/yr

CARE is a CPUC-regulated discount on energy bills for income-qualified California households. Enrollees of the major investor-owned utilities (PG&E, Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas & Electric, SoCalGas) receive a 30–35% discount on their electric bill and a 20% discount on their natural gas bill. Smaller utilities offer a 20% discount on both. Eligibility is met through either an income test (household income at or below the CPUC-published limit, which varies by household size) or a program test (current participation in Medi-Cal, CalFresh/SNAP, SSI, LIHEAP, WIC, National School Lunch Program, TANF/CalWORKs, Tribal TANF, BIA General Assistance, Head Start (Tribal), or Healthy Families A&B). Either path qualifies the household — both don't have to be met.

$300–$700/yr

California LifeLine provides a state-funded discount of up to $19/month on a single home phone or wireless service line, stacking on top of the federal Lifeline benefit. There are two eligibility paths: an income-based path (household income at or below the published annual limit, which varies by household size) and a program-based path (current participation in Medi-Cal, CalFresh, SSI, LIHEAP, federal Lifeline, Section 8, WIC, NSL, TANF, several Tribal programs, or the Veterans/Survivors Pension Benefit). Either path qualifies the household — they don't both have to be met.

$132–$228/yr

Texas's implementation of the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP), administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) through a statewide network of subrecipient agencies — Community Action Agencies, non-profits, and County BoCC departments — that collectively cover all 254 Texas counties. CEAP provides utility bill assistance, deposits, and energy crisis intervention (both summer cooling crisis and winter heating crisis) for low-income households. Eligibility is calculated at 150% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines — for 2026 that is $23,475/year for a single household and $45,600/year for a family of four. Senior-headed households receive application priority. To find the local subrecipient serving a specific Texas county, call TDHCA at 800-525-0657 or visit the TDHCA CEAP page. Each subrecipient has its own application window, document checklist, and operating hours; some operate appointment-only systems with limited weekly intake slots.

$200–$1,600/yr

The Travis County HHS Basic Needs program is the broader emergency safety net administered by Travis County Health and Human Services through its SIX Community Centers across Travis County. The program supplements the BCECD CEAP (tx.travis.travis_hhs_ceap) for households whose needs extend beyond utility emergencies. Services typically include: (1) emergency rental assistance for Travis County residents facing imminent eviction; (2) utility assistance for households not eligible for or already maxed out on CEAP; (3) food assistance and SNAP application support; (4) referrals to broader Travis County safety-net resources. Travis County's distributed Community Center model means applicants can access Basic Needs intake at the Community Center closest to their home — a meaningful operational benefit for elderly Travis County residents who can't easily travel across Austin's traffic. Community Center locations include Manor Community Center (east Travis), Pflugerville Community Center (north Travis), Del Valle Community Center (southeast Travis), and others. The program is APPROPRIATIONS-LIMITED — Travis County Commissioners Court sets the annual funding level. Apply by calling Travis County HHS at 512-854-4100 or visiting your nearest Community Center. For senior-specific case management coordination, AAACAP's Aging and Disability Resource Center (855-937-2372) provides a parallel pathway designed for older adults.

$200–$2,500/yr

Travis County Health and Human Services and Veterans Service (HHS) is the direct TDHCA-contracted Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) subrecipient for Travis County — a BoCC department delivery model parallel to Dallas's DCHHS and Bexar's BCECD. Travis County HHS operates a DISTRIBUTED intake model through SIX Community Centers across Travis County (more decentralized than peer counties' single-office intake), making the program more geographically accessible. CEAP provides utility bill assistance, deposit assistance, and energy crisis assistance to low-income Travis County households. Eligibility is set at 150% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines ($23,475/year single 2026). Senior-headed households receive application priority. Travis County HHS also offers AUTOMATIC LIHEAP QUALIFICATION for households already enrolled in SNAP, TANF, or SSI — bypassing the standalone income verification step. The program is YEAR-ROUND (12 months) rather than seasonal. Apply through the Travis County HHS application portal at traviscountytx.gov/health-human-services/apply-for-assistance/utility-assistance — the pre-screening tool confirms eligibility before directing applicants to the full application. Alternatively, visit any of the six Travis County Community Centers (locations including the Manor Community Center, Pflugerville Community Center, Del Valle Community Center, and others) where staff can assist with the application in person.

$200–$1,600/yr

Texas Medicaid for the Aged, Blind, or Disabled (the MEPD handbook categories at HHSC) is the SSI-related Medicaid pathway for low-income Texans who are age 65 or older, blind, or disabled and who do not require nursing home care. Eligibility is income-tested against the federal SSI Benefit Rate (FBR) — for 2026 the FBR is $967/month for an individual and $1,450/month for a couple — with a $2,000 countable-asset limit ($3,000 for a couple). Recipients who qualify for SSI cash benefits are automatically Medicaid-eligible in Texas; non-SSI applicants apply through HHSC. Medicaid covers physician visits, hospital care, prescription drugs, lab and X-ray, family planning, vision and hearing services, durable medical equipment, mental health care, and other services. For Texans who need long-term services and supports (in-home personal care, adult day care, home modifications) the pathway is STAR+PLUS (tx.star_plus). Apply at YourTexasBenefits.com, by calling 2-1-1, or by calling HHSC at 1-800-252-8263.

$4,000–$25,000/yr

STAR+PLUS is Texas Medicaid's managed-care program for adults age 65+ and adults with disabilities. It bundles full Medicaid medical coverage with long-term services and supports (LTSS) — the in-home personal care, adult day care, home modifications, personal emergency response systems, and respite care that keep older Texans out of nursing facilities. Members must first qualify for Texas Medicaid (typically via the tx.medicaid_abd pathway for non-LTSS members, or via the STAR+PLUS HCBS waiver for members at risk of nursing-home placement). All STAR+PLUS members are assigned a service coordinator who arranges medical care and long-term services. The STAR+PLUS HCBS (Home and Community-Based Services) waiver expands Medicaid LTSS eligibility to people whose income exceeds the regular Medicaid limit but is below 300% of the SSI Federal Benefit Rate ($2,901/month single 2026), provided they meet a nursing-facility level of care criterion. Apply through HHSC at YourTexasBenefits.com, by calling 2-1-1, or by calling HHSC at 1-800-252-8263. The STAR+PLUS HCBS waitlist (interest list) can have multi-year waits — apply early if Medicaid LTSS may be needed.

$6,000–$80,000/yr

Central Health is the Travis County Healthcare District — a special taxing district approved by Travis County voters in 2004 — operating as Travis County's public hospital safety net. Unlike Harris County's Harris Health, Dallas County's Parkland, or Bexar County's University Health (which directly operate hospitals), Central Health primarily FINANCES and CONTRACTS healthcare delivery through partner systems: Dell Seton Medical Center at the University of Texas (Travis County's primary public hospital partner) and a network of community health clinics. The Medical Access Program (MAP) is Central Health's principal financial assistance program — providing healthcare coverage to UNINSURED Travis County residents with income AT OR BELOW 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. MAP and MAP Basic eligibility is based on income received in the LAST 30 DAYS (more current-state than annual-income-based programs). Applicants must NOT be eligible for or enrolled in Medicaid or Medicare AND must NOT have private insurance. MAP covers primary care, specialty care, hospital inpatient and outpatient, emergency care, prescription drugs, behavioral health, and dental at the contracted Central Health partner network. To apply, call Central Health at 512-978-8130, option 1 (Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.) or visit centralhealth.net/map. The 200% FPL threshold matches Parkland Dallas and University Health Bexar — more generous than Harris Health Houston (150% FPL).

$1,500–$55,000/yr

The Area Agency on Aging of the Capital Area (AAACAP) is the federally designated Area Agency on Aging for a 10-county Central Texas region centered on Austin/Travis County, operated as a division of the Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG). Serving the region since 1982, AAACAP covers Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Hays, Lee, Llano, Travis, and Williamson counties — much broader than the single-county AAA models in Harris (Houston-only), Dallas (Dallas-only), and Bexar (Bexar-only). The AAACAP Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of the Capital Area provides comprehensive information and referral to older adults, persons with disabilities, families, and caregivers — including specialized expertise on applying for State of Texas long-term services and supports (LTSS) program benefits like STAR+PLUS HCBS. AAACAP's Benefits Counseling Program provides State of Texas HICAP/SHIP-certified Medicare Benefits Counselors who answer questions about Medicare health care coverage, Medicare Advantage options, prescription drug coverage, and Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, SLMB, QI). Other services include Title III congregate meals at senior centers across the region, Home-Delivered Meals for homebound seniors age 60+, Care Coordination, Caregiver Support including respite, and In-Home Support. Eligibility is age 60+ and residency in the 10-county AAACAP service area. Family caregivers and grandparent caregivers age 55+ raising grandchildren are also eligible. Call AAACAP at 855-937-2372 (Statewide Texas AAA line) or email ADRCCAP@capcog.org. Local office: 6800 Burleson Road, Building 310, Suite 165, Austin TX 78744.

$1,500–$5,000/yr

Texas seniors age 65 and older qualify for two stacked property tax benefits on their primary residence: (1) an additional $60,000 over-65 exemption from school district taxes that stacks on top of the base $140,000 homestead exemption, for a combined $200,000 reduction in the taxable value of the home for school district taxes; and (2) a SCHOOL DISTRICT TAX CEILING (commonly called the 'tax freeze') that locks the dollar amount of school district taxes at the level paid in the year the homeowner first qualified at age 65 — even if the home's value or the school tax rate rises in later years, the school tax bill cannot increase. The ceiling transfers proportionally if a senior moves to a new homestead. Counties, cities, and special districts MAY (but are not required to) adopt their own optional over-65 exemption (up to $10,000+) and their own tax ceiling — adoption rates and amounts vary statewide. Apply by April 30 with the county Appraisal District using Form 50-114 (Application for Residence Homestead Exemption), checking the 'Age 65 or Older' box and attaching proof of age. Late applications are accepted for up to TWO YEARS retroactively. No income test.

$600–$3,500/yr

Capital Metro (CapMetro) is the regional transit authority serving Austin and most of Travis County, operating MetroBus, MetroRapid bus rapid transit, MetroRail (the Red Line commuter rail to Leander), MetroExpress commuter bus service, and CapMetro Access ADA paratransit. CapMetro offers HALF-PRICED FARE on all services for riders age 65 and older. To activate the senior discount, apply for a CapMetro Reduced Fare ID Card — valid for TWO YEARS — by presenting a valid government-issued ID, Texas photo ID, or Texas driver's license at a CapMetro Customer Service location. Seniors age 65+, Medicare card holders of any age, active-duty military personnel, and persons with qualifying disabilities all qualify for the same Reduced Fare ID Card. CapMetro Access is the ADA paratransit complement to fixed-route service, providing curb-to-curb shared-ride service within 3/4 of a mile of CapMetro's regular fixed-route services. CapMetro Access eligibility is FUNCTIONAL-ABILITY-BASED per the ADA — being age 65+ does not automatically qualify a rider; the presence of a disability or health condition by itself does not make a person eligible. Apply for CapMetro Access at 512-852-7272 (Access Customer Service) or 512-389-7501 (Access Eligibility).

$400–$3,000/yr