What Is Considered Low Income for Seniors in California?

Seniors in California are considered low-income if they make less than 50% of their area’s median income. For instance, Los Angeles County’s median income is $64,500, so a single-person household would be considered low-income if they made less than $32,250 a year.

Low-income seniors in California are eligible for numerous government programs through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban development. These include the following:

• Housing choice voucher program (Section 8): Seniors can find an apartment of their choice and use their voucher to help pay for rent.
• Privately owned subsidized housing: Some apartment owners offer reduced rents to low-income tenants.
• Public Housing: Community apartment buildings or complexes overseen by a public housing agency are available to low-income seniors or families.
• Low-Income Housing Tax Credit: Low-income seniors can find housing through this program that offers rent at a fixed monthly amount.
• Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly: This program helps provide housing to seniors who can live mostly on their own but need assistance with activities of daily living such as cleaning and cooking.

In California, senior care costs vary depending on whether the senior is remaining in their home or seeking to live in a residential care setting. Home care, including assistance with chores and homemaking services, costs an average of $6,101 per month. Home health care provided by a nurse or other medical professional also averages $6,101. A month of respite adult day care costs $1,842 while living in an assisted living community costs $5,250. For seniors with complex medical needs, round-the-clock skilled nursing care in a nursing home setting averages $9,794 per month.

• Home care: $6,101
• Home health care: $6,101
• Adult daycare: $1,842
• Assisted living: $5,250
• Nursing home: $9,794