Resources for Senior Citizens

Much of this information came from the old web site HighlandPalmsHappenings.com, and some of this information is 10 years old. We have every reason to believe that 90-95% of this information is still accurate. Please report anything you find to be inaccurate. Thank you.

This information is provided for your help and convenience. We are not able to contact anyone or intervene on your behalf.

Most (but not all) of the items in this list are free or low cost.

Food Stamps
If you are having trouble keeping groceries on the table, you may be eligible for food stamp benefits. If you qualify, you will receive a card that works like a debit card at the grocery store.

Call (877) 847-3663 OR www.cdss.ca.gov/foodstamps

Free Food

Every Saturday morning at the Church of God on Highway 74.

Senior Nutrition Program

Home Delivered Meals (Part of Riverside County Office on Aging)
951-867-3800
800-510-2020
Meals served at sites and delivered to homes.

Social Security

(800) 722-1213

(800) 325-0778  TTY
www.socialsecurity.gov

Home Energy Assistance Program

You can receive help paying your utility bills if you meet the program’s income requirements.

(866) 675-6623

(916) 327-6318 TTY
www.csd.ca.gov

Dial 211 for Free Information 24/7 – Free and Confidential

By dialing 211, you can get information and referrals to many types community services. (The exact offerings may change from time to time):

  • Employment Services, Job Placement, Vocational Skills Training
  • Financial and Public Assistance Programs
  • Help with Caring for Your Aging Parent or Child with Special Needs
  • Housing Assistance and Emergency Shelter Programs
  • Health Care Services and Medical Insurance Programs
  • Food Banks and Hot Meal Centers
  • Legal Services – Free or Low Cost
  • Mental Health Services
  • Senior Services, Meals Delivered to Your Home, Senior Centers
  • Transportation Services
  • Services and Support for Individuals with Disabilities

Employment

Riverside County Workforce Development Center
1151 Spruce St., Riverside, 92507

Riverside County Office of Aging

1-800-510-2020 OR
WWW.RCAGING.ORG

Elder Abuse
If you suspect an older adult is the victim of physical, emotional, or financial neglect, this may be reported anonymously to the proper authorities.

Adult Day Care Centers
Provides a protective environment with daily social and educational activities for frail or impaired older adults.  Some centers provide medical care and physical therapy, while others specialize in programming for those with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Care Giving Assistance
Services for adults providing care for frail, elderly and or disabled adults.  Grandparents raising grandchildren and services for seniors who are the primary caregiver for a related child.

Care Management
Assistance in evaluating individual needs, assistance in accessing and coordinating care services that enable frail or impaired seniors as well as disabled adults to remain at home.  Services may be free or low-cost, depending upon income, age, and physical condition.

Employment Assistance
Employment training and part-time employment for low income seniors 55+.

Insurance
Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP), individual counseling and legal help with Medicare, HMO’s, long-term care insurance, supplemental (Medi-Gap) insurance.

Housing Information and Support
Information on housing options including independent, assisted living and nursing home facilities.  Home modification and senior home repair resources.

In-Home Assistance
Referral to in-home support services that may include shopping, cooking cleaning, bathing, transportation, nursing, and other services in the home.  (Medi-Cal or Medicare may provide assistance with costs.)

Legal Assistance
Referrals to legal information, advice, counseling, and referrals to legal representation.

Nutrition
Information on locations and contacts for lunchtime congregate meals and meals delivered to homebound seniors.  Information regarding senior food distributions.

Social Activities
Senior and community center locations.

Transportation
Trip program and low cost transportation within the county for seniors and people with disabilities.  Information on providers for senior and disabled transportation.

Volunteer Activities
Volunteering within the Office on Aging and referral to community programs.

Southern California Edison Energy Management Assistant Program FREE STUFF

Programs vary from time to time. Contact them to find out what is available now. Some of the things they have offered FREE:

  • Free Swamp Coolers
  • Energy Saving Appliances
  • Home Weatherization
  • Low Flow Shower Heads

(800) 736-4777

www.sce.com/residential/assistance/energy-saving-program

Sun City Concern

(951) 679-2374

Information Referral
Can refer people to community resources, including governmental services, financial aid, social services, health and mental health programs, local programs and many others. No charge for the information.

Outreach Program
Helps find government and private resources for frail, at-risk seniors who are having difficulty with daily living skills.

Registry Desk
Can refer local service providers for companions, housekeepers, gardeners, drivers, handymen, etc. All providers in the registry are background checked. Staff conducts a follow up review of all referrals.

Telephone Reassurance Program
Staff and volunteers call frail and disabled seniors daily, providing a sense of security to the ag-risk senior. Unanswered calls bring staff to the home should an emergency arise.

Volunteer Opportunities
We host a wide variety of volunteer opportunities for you to help others in our community. We consistently seek volunteers for all the programs and events.

Credit Report – Free Once a Year

877-322-3228
www.annualcreditreport.com
This is the only place you can get an annual free no-obligation credit report. Beware of the other places that advertise a free credit report. Usually it is a lure to get you to buy something.

Bureau of Auto Repair

Will investigate auto repair problems and mediate on your behalf.
800-952-5210
www.dca.ca.gov

Investment Fraud Help

Dept. of Corporations
(SAIF Seniors Against Investment Fraud)
866-275-2677
www.corp.ca.gov
Use this to report fraudulent practices by corporations.

Avoid Unwanted Mail Advertisements


DMA Mail Preference Service
P.O. BOX 9008
FARMINGDALE, NY 11735-9008
To avoid unwanted mail advertising, send name, address and phone number

Stop Telemarketers

Do Not Call Registry (Telemarketing)

888-382-1222
www.donotcall.gov

Removes name from telemarketing call lists.

DMA Telephone Preference Service

P.O. Box 9014
Famingdale, NY 11735-9014
To avoid unwanted telemarketing calls, send name, address and phone number

Financial Consultants – Check on or Report

FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority)
Formerly known as National Association of Securities Dealers800-289-9999
www.finra.org
Check on licensing of investment consultants and report fraudulent investors.

Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP)
800-434-0222

Assistance with Medicare, HMO and Long Term Care Insurance

In Home Supportive Services (IHSS)
888-960-4477
Helps pay for various authorizaed in-home services provided so seniors can remain safely n their own homes.

Legal Help

Inland Counties Legal Services
951-368-2555
951-320-7500 (For Seniors)
888-245-4257 (Toll Free)
Legal services for low income seniors, civil law, trusts and family law.

Public Service Law Corporation
951-682-7968
For legal services to income eligible residents of Western Riverside County.

BAR Association
Lawyer Referral Service for the Riverside County Bar Association
951-682-7520

Long Term Care Ombudsman
951-686-4402
800-464-1123
To report abuse in care facilities or board and cares, and advocacy for residents.

Medical Board of California Central Complaint Unit
800-633-2322
www.med.bd.ca.gov 
Complaints about Physicians.

Office on Aging
951-867-3800
800-510-2020 (Statewide Number)
Free information and referral on senior services available countwide.
Registry of Providers and Caregivers

Public Authority
888-470-4477
Establishes a registry of screened and trained independent providers and matches them with in-home supportive services consumers who need their help.

Public Guardi9an and Conservation (Mental Health)
951-341-6440
Information regarding conservatorships due to mental disabilities

Small Claims Court Information (through Riverside Superior Court)
951-413-5353
www.riverside.courts.ca.gov

Victim Witness Program (Victim Services)
951-955-5450

C.A.R.E. (Curtailing Abuse Related to the Elderly) Program

Riverside County Department of Public Social Services

Adult Protective Services
800-491-7123 (24 HRS)
To report suspected abuses against an elderly person

Alternatives to Domestic Violence     
951-683-0829
800-339-7233
Assistance for victims of domestic violence. Free counseling. Shelter available.

Alzheimer’s Association
909-723-8000 (UPLAND)800-931-1580
www.alzla.org  
For information on Alzheimer’s and support of family members.

Better Busienss Bureau
909-825-7280
To get information about businesses or file a complaint..

California Department of Insurance
800-927-4357 (Consumer Hotline)
Regulates insurance providers

Center for Health Care Rights
800-824-0780
Medicare and health insurance issues

Charities – BBB Wise Giving Alliance
703-276-0100
www.give.org
To check on the validity of a charity/.

Contractors’ State License Board
800-321-2752
www.cslb.ca.gov
To check on the status of a contractor’s lincense and file a complaint.