Affordable Senior Care in California

Medicaid, PACE and other programs that pay for care in California, and providers near you that accept them.

Medicaid long-term care in California

Program: Medi-Cal Long-Term Services and Supports (IHSS, MSSP, CBAS, ALW)
Run by: California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS)
Apply: Application link not yet verified — call your Area Agency on Aging (1-800-677-1116)
Assisted living: Limited coverage — Assisted Living Waiver (ALW)
Waiting list: Waiting list or enrollment cap reported
PACE programs: Yes — find a PACE program near you ↗

Medicaid help with assisted living exists here but is limited — by a waiting list, an enrollment cap, or only in some areas.

ALW only in 15 counties with waitlist; CMS approved 7,000 added slots. Apply via county (BenefitsCal unverified).

Sources: sps2016.dhcs.ca.gov · payingforseniorcare.com · npaonline.org (checked 2026-10-31)

Enter a ZIP code or city above to see Medicaid-certified nursing homes (1,120 in California), assisted living (7,962 loaded) and home health agencies near you.

Vacancies and waiting lists

We only show Medicaid bed availability or waiting-list status when a facility has confirmed it to us. No facility in California has reported yet, so please call facilities directly. Medicaid waiting lists for state programs are run by the state or your Area Agency on Aging.

Free help finding and paying for care

Eldercare Locator ↗ · 1-800-677-1116
Finds your local Area Agency on Aging, which can arrange in-home help, meals, adult day programs and Medicaid screening.

State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) ↗
Free, unbiased counseling on Medicare, Medicare Savings Programs and Extra Help.

Long-Term Care Ombudsman ↗
Free advocates for residents of nursing homes and assisted living, including help with complaints and discharges.

2-1-1 ↗ · 2-1-1
Local help with food, housing, utilities and other basic needs.

Benefits that can help pay

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Monthly payments for people 65+ with very limited income and savings. SSI often qualifies you for Medicaid automatically.
Plain-English guide on BenefitSearch ↗

Medicare Savings Programs & Extra Help
Help paying Medicare premiums and prescription costs for people with limited income.
Official site ↗

VA Pension with Aid & Attendance
Extra monthly money for wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need help with daily activities, including in assisted living.
Plain-English guide on BenefitSearch ↗ · Official site ↗

Social Security retirement
Check you are receiving everything you are owed before paying for care.
Plain-English guide on BenefitSearch ↗

See all California benefits on BenefitSearch ↗

BenefitSearch.org is a free companion site that explains government benefits and links to official applications.