Los Angeles County, California vs Harris County, Texas

ADSA pays $50 a month to help with food, grooming and health care for a guide, signal or service dog. You qualify if you use an assistance dog for your disability and you get SSI/SSP, In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), the Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Fill out form ADSA1 (ADSA1B if your benefit is SSDI) and mail it to CDSS at 744 P Street, MS 9-11-91, Sacramento, CA 95814. Renew each year with form ADSA1A. Questions: 916-657-2628 or ADSAUser@dss.ca.gov.

Estimated cash: about $600 a year

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. Apply through your county social services office — CDSS directs CAPI applicants to their county rather than a statewide phone line.

Estimated cash: $11,500–$17,300 a year

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. Questions go to the DHCS ALW unit by email at ALWP.IR@dhcs.ca.gov, or apply through one of the ALW Care Coordination Agencies listed on the DHCS page.

Estimated service value: $30,000–$60,000 a year

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.

Estimated service value: $15,000–$30,000 a year

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.

Estimated service value: $12,000–$50,000 a year

General Relief (GR) is a Los Angeles County-funded cash aid program for indigent adults who have no income or resources and do not qualify for federal or state cash aid. For a low-income senior it is most relevant as a bridge while a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or CAPI application is pending. The grant is modest — $221 a month for a single adult, $375 for a couple — and most recipients must repay it if they later receive SSI back pay. Eligibility requires LA County residency and very low income and assets.

Estimated cash: $2,652–$4,500 a year

Free digital devices, internet service plans, and training for older adults and adults with disabilities, so they can connect safely online, reach healthcare providers, and build digital skills. Part of CDA's Digital Inclusion effort alongside the Digital Connections Program. Call 1-800-510-2020 to reach your local Area Agency on Aging and ask about device and connectivity programs.

California State Parks issues a free lifetime pass to qualifying California veterans. The Distinguished Veteran Pass covers the basic facilities in participating state parks — day-use parking, camping, and boating — at no charge. It is available to honorably discharged California residents who have a combined VA service-connected disability rating of 50% or more with wartime service, were a prisoner of war, or received the Medal of Honor. Apply once with form DPR-619, a California ID, the DD-214, and a VA letter dated within the past year showing the rating.

L.A. Found provides a free Project Lifesaver radio-frequency tracking bracelet for Los Angeles County residents diagnosed with Alzheimer's, dementia, autism, or other cognitive impairments (including some mental illnesses) who are at risk of wandering. If the wearer goes missing, the caregiver calls 911 and the LA County Sheriff's Mental Evaluation Team is deployed with handheld and helicopter-mounted receivers to locate them. The bracelet emits a radio signal every few seconds. There is no income test. Approved applicants receive the bracelet at no cost (the same bracelet is $375 to purchase outside the program). A caregiver / authorized agent submits the application on the participant's behalf.

Estimated service value: about $375 a year

Los Angeles County charges a 4.5% Utility User Tax on phone, electric and gas bills for homes in unincorporated areas of the county. A head of household who is 62 or older and gets Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can apply to stop paying this tax. Send the Senior Citizen Exemption Application to the County Treasurer and Tax Collector. You cannot ask your utility company for the exemption directly. Once the county approves it, the tax comes off your bills starting with the next billing period. This only applies if you live outside city limits, in an unincorporated area.

California issues Disabled Veteran license plates that waive all vehicle registration and license fees on one vehicle, for veterans with a qualifying permanent service-connected disability. Qualifying conditions include a 100% VA disability rating due to a diagnosed disease or disorder that substantially impairs mobility, inability to move without an assistive device, loss of use of one or more limbs, or permanent blindness. DV plates also allow parking in disabled-person spaces, at blue curbs, and at metered spaces at no charge. Apply at any DMV office with the certification form REG 256V; there is no application fee.

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.

Estimated bill savings: $300–$700 a year

FERA is an 18% discount on electric bills for households whose income is a little too high for the CARE discount. It is offered by PG&E, Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric. For June 2026 to May 2027, a household of one or two people qualifies with income from $43,281 up to $54,100 (250% of the federal poverty level). FERA customers also pay a lower monthly base charge — about $12 a month instead of $24.15. Call your electric utility to apply: PG&E 1-866-743-2273, Southern California Edison 1-866-675-6623, or SDG&E 1-800-411-7343.

Estimated bill savings: about $144 a year

The Texas Veterans Commission's Fund for Veterans' Assistance awards grants to local nonprofits, local governments, and veteran service organizations that provide direct emergency help to Texas veterans and their families — including rent assistance (up to $6,000 per household per grant period, including deposits and arrears) and utility assistance (up to $3,000 per household per grant period, covering electric, water, gas, and more). The help comes from the funded local organization, not TVC directly — find one through the TVC grantee directory or by calling 211.

Estimated bill savings: $500–$9,000 a year

The Harris County Area Agency on Aging is the federally-designated Area Agency on Aging serving Harris County under the Older Americans Act Title III, established in 1977. It is administered by the Houston Health Department rather than by a regional Council of Governments — Harris County is one of the few Texas counties whose AAA is operated directly by a city/county health department rather than a regional Council of Governments. Importantly, Harris County is NOT served by the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) AAA — H-GAC's AAA covers 13 surrounding counties (Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Walker, Waller, Wharton) but Harris has its own dedicated AAA. Harris County AAA's Title III nutrition program distributes close to 1.5 million meals annually through a network of community-based agencies: (1) Congregate meals are served Monday-Friday between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at local community and senior centers across Houston and unincorporated Harris County; (2) Home-Delivered Meals are weekly well-balanced meals delivered to homebound, elderly, and/or disabled adults age 60+. Additional services include information and referral, Medicare counseling (via the Texas SHIP program), transportation assistance, legal assistance, respite care for caregivers, and benefits counseling. Call 832-393-4301 for nutrition program intake or visit houstonhealth.org/services/aging.

Estimated service value: $1,500–$5,000 a year

Free legal help for older adults who have been the victim of a crime. H-GAC's team of lawyers works at no charge to stop abuse, limit the harm, recover lost money or property, and pursue justice. Covered crimes include consumer fraud, contractor scams, family violence, financial exploitation, identity theft, internet scams, neglect or physical abuse, sexual assault, stalking or harassment, and "sweetheart" scams. The crime does not have to have been reported to law enforcement, and no referral is needed. Services include legal representation in civil matters tied to the crime, legal advocacy with law enforcement and prosecutors, help navigating the criminal justice system and Adult Protective Services, and referrals to community services. Call 346-500-4620 to make an appointment.