The California Commission on Aging serves as the principal advocacy body for older Californians and as a catalyst for change that supports and celebrates Californians as they age.
California Commission on Aging
Back to top
Find more resources
The California Department of Aging (CDA) administers programs that serve older adults, adults with disabilities, family caregivers, and residents in long-term care facilities throughout the State. CDA oversees programs and services including the Older Californians Nutrition Program, CalGrows, the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP), the Dignity at Home Fall Prevention Program, and more through contracts with 33 County Area Agencies on Aging and other partners.
California Long-Term Care Ombudsman representatives can help with issues related to daily care, health, safety, and personal preferences for residents in long-term care facilities. This free, confidential service is available across California to investigate complaints, advocate on residents’ behalf, and help resolve issues. Call the Statewide CRISISline 24/7 at 1-800-231-4024.
California Department of Aging
The Civil Rights Department is the state agency charged with enforcing California’s civil rights laws. The mission of the CRD is to protect the people of California from unlawful discrimination in employment, housing, businesses, and state-funded programs, and from bias-motivated violence, including against older adults. Call the Communication Center at 1-800-884-1684 or TTY
1-800-700-2320.
California Civil Rights Department
CSD partners with a network of private, non-profit, and local government community service providers dedicated to helping low-income families and older adults achieve and maintain self-sufficiency, meet their home energy needs, and reside in housing free from the dangers of lead hazards. There are resources to help with paying for energy and water bills, community service information and home energy efficiency tips, and a map to find applicable services in your area.
Department of Community Services and Development
CalOES established the Office of Access and Functional Needs (OAFN) to identify the needs of individuals with disabilities and others with access or functional needs before, during, and after disasters and to integrate them into the State’s emergency management systems. This includes using interpreters for multiple languages, including ASL, to communicate during emergencies; coordinating with local aging services providers; working to ensure shelters are accessible for all; and more.
Governor's Office of Emergency Services
DFPI offers protection to consumers as well as services to businesses engaged in financial transactions. The Department oversees the operations of state-licensed financial institutions, including banks, credit unions, money transmitters, and more. Various programs are offered to help older adults protect themselves from fraud.
Department of Financial Protection and Innovation
EDD provides a range of employment and training services in partnership with state and local agencies and organizations to help older workers return to the workforce or transition to a new career.
Employment Development Department
Explore Aging Resources from
the state of california
The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program is a federally funded program administered by the California Department of Food and Agriculture. The program aims to provide fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown produce, cut herbs, and raw honey through Certified Farmers’ Markets to low-income seniors.
Department of Food and Agriculture
The FTB offers the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs, which provide free assistance for Californians aged 60+ who need help filing their taxes.
Franchise Tax Board
Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid program, which provides needed health care services for low-income individuals including older adults, persons with disabilities, low-income people with specific diseases such as tuberculosis, breast cancer, or HIV/AIDS, and all people aged 50+ regardless of immigration status.
Department of Health Care Services
The California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) is the California government agency responsible for human resource management of state employees, including issues related to salaries and benefits, job classifications, training, and recruitment. Retired state workers may be eligible to return to work as Retired Annuitants. Call 916-324-0455 for more information.
Department of Human Resources
The California Department of Justice investigates and prosecutes cases of health care fraud, physical and financial elder abuse, neglect or poor quality of care, and crimes committed within nursing homes and other care facilities. For public inquiries, call
1-800-952-5225.
Department of Justice
The MHSOAC oversees implementation of the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) and is responsible for developing strategies to overcome stigma. Working through partnerships, the Commission is bringing about transformational change within our mental health systems to ensure that effective and competent care is available to Californians of all ages. Veterans can call the Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and press 1. Individuals with hearing loss can call the Lifeline at
1-800-799-4889.
Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission
The California DMV has a vision to be recognized as a leader in public service. The DMV offers driver test prep guides for older adults and people with disabilities and the Senior Ombudsman service.
Department of Motor Vehicles
The OAG has a team composed of three units designed to prosecute those who abuse California’s older adult and dependent population and the Medi-Cal Program. Contact the OAG Hotline at 800-722-0432.
Office of the Attorney General
The Golden Bear Pass provides day-use vehicle access to 100+ selected state park units for any qualifying person aged 62 or older.
California State Parks
CalPERS is the nation’s largest public pension fund and ensures that members’ benefits and retirements are as enduring as the state they maintain. Call 1-888-225-7377 for more information and visit the CalPERS website to access the Retirement Estimate Calculator, Designate a Power of Attorney, visit the Education Center, and more.
California Public Employees Retirement System
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) offers health programs to promote the health and wellbeing of older Californians. CDPH programs focus on healthy aging, disease prevention, promoting initiatives that encourage early intervention and screening, and tips for maintaining optimum health.
California Department of Public Health
The Deaf and Disabled Telecommunication Program (DDTP) is part of the CPUC. California residents who have difficulty hearing, seeing, moving, speaking, learning, or remembering can benefit from specialized telephone equipment, accessories, and services offered by the DDTP. Examples of specialized telephone equipment include amplified phones for the hard-of-hearing, big-button phones for those with low-vision, and cordless phones for individuals with mobility issues. Call 1-800-806-1191 for more information. TTY 1-800-806-4474. ASL Now: 1-800-806-1191.
California Public Utilities Commission
Each California County has an Adult Protective Services (APS) agency to help older adults (age 60+) and dependent adults (18-59) who are disabled, when these adults are unable to meet their own needs, or are victims of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. County APS agencies investigate reports of abuse to residents of private homes, apartments, hotels, or hospitals. General support services available include In-Home Support Services, finding licensed care, applying for CalFresh and CalWORKS, disaster relief, and reporting fraud.
Department of Social Services
The CalSTRS mission is to secure the financial future and sustain the trust of California’s educators. There are many benefits and services available to retired members including videos, workshops, and an annual Retired Educator Event. Contact CalSTRS at 1-800-228-5453 or 1-916-414-1099.
California State Teachers Retirement System
CalVet serves California veterans and their families to ensure they receive the state and federal benefits and services they have earned and deserve because of selfless and honorable military service. While no one program is specifically for older veterans, one of the largest demands for benefits and services occurs as the veteran population ages and requires greater access to medical facilities and long-term care services. Call 1-916-651-2147 to learn more.
Department of Veterans Affairs
The California Veterans Board is an advocate for Veterans affairs, identifying needs and working to ensure and enhance the rights and benefits of California Veterans and their dependents. Any person who is a veteran and applies for benefits may appeal any decision made by a division of the department to the Board, such as denial of a home loan, student waiver, or admission into a veteran’s home.
California Veterans Board
California Volunteers manages programs and initiatives aimed at increasing the number of Californians engaged in service and volunteering. There are many opportunities for older adults to volunteer, ranging from packing food at a food bank to online tutoring for elementary school students. Learn more by calling
1-888-567-SERV (7378).
California Volunteers
See the progress being made on 200+ Master Plan for Aging Initiatives to drive action across California to build the most age- and disability-friendly state in the nation.
Master Plan for Aging Implementation Tracker
The Department of Insurance hosts the “Senior Gateway” website, which is sponsored by various state departments in the Elder Financial Abuse Interagency Roundtable (E-FAIR) with a goal of protecting older adults from financial abuse through coordinated action, sharing of information, and collaborative strategies among governmental entities.
Department of Insurance
NEW STORY!
Explore Aging resources from The
State of California
Back to top