Santa Clara County, California vs Travis 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

Hospitals serving Santa Clara County — including Santa Clara Valley Medical Center (county), Kaiser Permanente, Stanford Health Care, and El Camino Health — 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

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

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 Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (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.

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.

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 Rate Assistance Program (RAP) takes 25% to 40% off the electric part of the City of Santa Clara utility bill. It is only for homes served by Silicon Valley Power, the City of Santa Clara's own electric utility. You can qualify in one of two ways. Financial RAP is based on household income (up to $113,700 a year for one person), and it also gives a $10.00 discount on garbage charges and 25% off water and sewer bills. Medical RAP is for people who need an electric medical device, with a doctor's certification; it gives 25% off with no usage cap. Call Central Coast Energy Services at 1-888-399-2728 for Financial RAP, or City utility billing at 408-615-2300 for Medical RAP.

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 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.

Estimated bill savings: $200–$2,500 a year

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).

Estimated bill savings: $1,500–$55,000 a year

Emergency financial aid toward a City of Austin utility bill for residential customers who are having a temporary problem paying — after a serious illness, a job loss, or another emergency. The money is not applied for at Austin Energy: partner social service agencies screen applicants, decide eligibility, and pledge the funds directly to the customer's utility account. Older adults and people with disabilities in the Austin service area can start with the Aging and Disability Resource Center of the Capital Area at 855-937-2372, which is a Plus 1 partner; other partner agencies are listed at FinancialSupportPlus1.com. Some agencies serve only their existing clients or certain ZIP codes. Questions or trouble reaching an agency: billhelp@austinenergy.com or 512-494-9400.