California · Resources
The numbers you actually need — California.
Phone numbers, agencies, free legal help, forms, and the statutes our topic guides cite. The page to bookmark when you don’t want to dig.
If you need help right now
State Medicaid agency
The office that determines eligibility and runs the program
California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) — Medi-Cal
Apply for Medi-Cal through county Social Services offices or online at BenefitsCal.com.
Aging services — your entry point
Single number that routes to your local Area Agency on Aging
California Department of Aging (CDA)
Connects to 33 Area Agencies on Aging statewide. The 1-800 number routes by ZIP.
Adult Protective Services
If you suspect abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation, call this number
Free Medicare counseling (SHIP)
Federally-funded, unbiased — not selling you a plan
HICAP — Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program
California's SHIP program. Free, unbiased Medicare counseling through county HICAP offices.
State health department
Regulates nursing homes and licensed facilities
California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
Regulates skilled nursing facilities and licenses CDPH Cal Health Find for facility lookup.
Finding a lawyer
Bar referral first, legal aid if income-qualified
California State Bar Lawyer Referral
Lookup tool for State Bar-certified lawyer referral services by county.
Justice in Aging
National nonprofit headquartered in California; deep CA Medi-Cal and senior poverty expertise.
CANHR — California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform
Long-term-care consumer advocacy. Free counseling on Medi-Cal eligibility and SNF rights.
Legal Aid at Work
Employment and caregiver leave law assistance.
Nonprofits worth knowing
State chapters and organizations focused on aging in this state
Family Caregiver Alliance
California-based national caregiving resource. Caregiver Resource Centers network across the state.
Alzheimer's Association California chapters
24/7 helpline, support groups, education across CA chapters.
AARP California
Other hotlines
Numbers worth saving in your phone
- 1-800-633-4227
Medicare (federal)
- 1-800-510-2020
California Department of Aging — 1-800-510-2020
ZIP-coded routing to the local AAA.
- 211
211 California
Local community resource referrals 24/7.
Forms & templates
Official California document references
California Advance Health Care Directive (AHCD)
Statutory form under Prob. Code §4701. Combines healthcare POA and living-will provisions.
California Uniform Statutory Form Power of Attorney
Prob. Code §§4000-4545.
POLST
California POLST form, signed by physician/NP/PA. Available statewide.
Petition for Conservatorship
California Judicial Council forms GC-310 et seq.
Key statutes we cite
California laws referenced across our topic guides
| Citation | Subject |
|---|---|
| Prob. Code §§4000-4545 | Power of Attorney Law |
| Prob. Code §§4600-4806 | Health Care Decisions Law (AHCD) |
| Prob. Code §10810 | Statutory Probate Fees |
| Cal. Const. Art. XIIIA §2.1 | Property Tax (Prop 19) |
| W&I Code §15600 et seq. | Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act |
| W&I Code §14009.5 | Medi-Cal Estate Recovery (probate only) |
| DHCS ACWDL 25-18 | 2026 Medi-Cal Asset Limit Reinstatement |
| CCP §704.730 | Homestead Exemption (graduated by county) |
More from California
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Phone numbers, websites, and statute citations on this page are verified at publication and re-reviewed quarterly. If something looks wrong, please tell us.