Supplemental Security Income
People with disabilities and seniors over age 65 who earn little to no income and have limited assets may be eligible to receive monthly payments from the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. In California, senior individuals enrolled in the program can receive up to $1,194.37 per month to put toward nonmedical out-of-home care, while senior married couples can receive up to $2,388.74 per month. Additional benefits can include protective services, personal care services for those wishing to remain at home and an extra allowance for assistance dogs.
To qualify for SSI, individuals must have less than $2,000 in assets and married couples must have less than $3,000. An applicant’s home, car and burial plot are excluded when quantifying assets. Countable monthly income should generally be less than $771 for an individual and $1,157 for a married couple. Seniors can apply for SSI online or call (800) 772-1213. Those receiving SSI enroll in Medi-Cal automatically.
Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefits
Veterans and survivors in California who receive a monthly pension may be eligible for additional payments through the Veterans Aid and Attendance program (A&A). To qualify, a veteran or surviving spouse must be over age 65 and meet one of the below criteria:
- Require assistance from a caregiver to perform activities of daily living, such as eating, getting dressed, toileting and bathing
- Have physical or mental disabilities that require nursing home care services
Income limits also exist, and while unreimbursed medical expenses can be deducted, they include $22,577 in annual income for an individual with no dependents and $26,765 for a veteran with a spouse or child. Similarly, a net-worth limit of up to $126,000 for both single and married applicants also exists. The net-worth limit excludes the value of homes and vehicles, but includes annual income.
Huntington Beach residents can write to their
regional pension management center or visit their
local benefit office to apply.
Elderlife Financial Bridge Loans Short-term lines of credit to help with the cost of assisted living are an option, and bridge loans provide seniors and their families with immediate funds while they wait other sources of long-term funding, such as the sale of a home or pension processing. These funds can be used to pay for expenses that include moving fees or assisted living costs, and payments can be set up and sent directly to the senior’s community, sometimes within 24 hours.
Additional factors determining eligibility include income, liquid assets, home equity and the combined credit scores of up to six cosigners on the loan. Huntington Beach residents can complete an application online at
Elderlife Financial Services or call (888) 228-4500 to apply.