Senior benefits in Kings 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 Kings 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 Kings County Area Agency on Aging directly at 559-624-8000, or reach the statewide Aging & Disability Resource Connection at 1-800-510-2020 to be connected to local services.

Estimated service value: $500–$6,000 a year

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 Kings 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.

Estimated bill savings: $94–$1,500 a year

Hospitals serving Kings County — including Adventist Health Hanford — 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.

Estimated bill savings: $500–$20,000 a year

Kings County General Assistance (GA) is a county-funded LOAN program established by the Board of Supervisors that provides assistance to indigent adults who are unable to provide for their own means and unable to qualify for state or federal public assistance programs. For a low-income senior it is mainly a bridge while a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claim is pending. To qualify, you must be at least 18 (or an emancipated/married/divorced minor), a Kings County resident for at least 10 days who intends to remain, a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, and unemployed, incapacitated, or pending SSI. Apply in person at Kings County Department of Human Services offices in Hanford, Corcoran, or Avenal.

In this county: Kings County GA has conditions this check cannot confirm for you: 18+ (or emancipated minor), 10-day Kings County residency with intent to remain, U.S. citizen / lawful permanent resident, and unemployed/incapacitated/pending-SSI status. The countyofkingsca.gov GA page does not publish a maximum monthly grant amount. Apply in person at Human Services Agency offices in Hanford, Corcoran, or Avenal (the county page says applicants must apply in person).

KART Paratransit is the ADA complementary paratransit service for the KART fixed-route service area in Kings County. It provides shared-ride service within 3/4 mile of a KART fixed-route stop for people with disabilities who cannot use regular fixed-route service. Eligibility is functional, not age-based. Download an application from the KART website or request a paper application by calling 1-559-852-2712; once submitted you'll schedule a transportation assessment. For program information call 1-559-852-2717.

In this county: KART Paratransit eligibility is functional and is determined through an application + transportation assessment — this check cannot perform that assessment. Start by calling 1-559-852-2712 for an application.

Kings Area Regional Transit (KART) is the public bus system serving Kings County (Hanford, Corcoran, Avenal, Lemoore, and surrounding rural areas). Riders 65 and older, Medicare cardholders, and persons with qualifying disabilities pay the discounted fare. To pay the discount you must show a KART-issued ID card OR a Medicare card with a valid picture ID. Contact the KART Administration Office to apply for a KART discount ID.

Estimated service value: $100–$300 a year