Financial Assistance for Adults Without Dependent Children | 800-952-5253 | This county-funded assistance program provides cash benefits to older adults with limited access to financial resources. Payments range from $150 to $343 per month, depending on other sources of income, such as Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income. |
Catholic Charities of Santa Clara | 408-468-0100 | This nonprofit organization operates a senior center that hosts social, recreational and educational programs. The organization also oversees the Senior Nutrition Program and publishes an up-to-date list of sites throughout the region that distribute groceries, hot and frozen meals and toiletry items. |
South Valley FISH Food Pantry | 408-669-4949 | Through the South Valley FISH Food Pantry, seniors can get free meals and groceries, as well as holiday meals three times per year. The pantry operates on Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and is open to those who meet income guidelines. |
Senior Adults Legal Assistance | 408-295-5991 | SALA offers in-person legal consultations at senior centers throughout the San Jose region, and it provides home visits for housebound seniors. Its licensed legal professionals help individuals resolve issues such as denied public benefits, elder abuse and evictions. |
Long Term Care Ombudsman Program | 800-231-4024 | The ombudsman provides free information and advocacy for assisted living residents, helping them understand their rights and find ways to pay for care. They also represent seniors in cases of billing problems, inadequate or excessive services and involuntary discharges. |
County of Santa Clara Department of Aging and Adult Services | 408-755-7600 | The county supports seniors through the Senior Nutrition Program, which delivers meals to housebound seniors and serves hot meals at sites throughout the San Jose region. It acts as a public guardian or conservator for seniors who don’t have qualified family members to fill the roles, and it provides referrals for community resources. |
St. John Vianney Church Outreach | 408-258-7832 | This church operates a friendly visitor program for housebound seniors and provides cancer patient support. It administers an emergency food distribution program and collects clothing and home decor for donation. |
Willow Glen Community Center | 408-265-0915 | The community center partners with TRIO Senior Meals to provide a lunch program for seniors aged 60 and over. The program serves meals on weekdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and menus include beef and turkey meatloaf, vegetarian spinach lasagna, fish with dill sauce and other dishes. |
Retired Senior Volunteer Program | 650-696-7660 | The local RSVP chapter has a network of over 80 community partners, giving seniors a variety of volunteer opportunities. In exchange for their service, seniors receive supplemental liability insurance and recognition at annual events. |
San Jose Social Security Offices | 800-772-1213 TTY 800-325-0778 | San Jose has two Social Security field offices where seniors receive one-on-one assistance and benefits screenings. These offices help older adults replace lost Social Security cards, set up or change their direct deposit information and apply for Social Security or Medicare benefits. |
Senior Program | 408-321-2300 TTY 408-321-2330 | Valley Transportation Authority publishes the Senior Mobility guide, which provides details on using local public buses and shuttles and accessing community resources. It also offers the Train the Trainer Academy, a free training course to help seniors navigate the public transportation system. |
Home Energy Assistance Program | 877-278-6455 | HEAP offers nonemergency utility assistance to San Jose seniors who meet income guidelines, helping them avoid service disruptions. It provides partial payment directly to the utility company and gives seniors practical tips on reducing their homes’ energy consumption. |
San Jose Vet Center | 408-574-9200 | The local vet center offers free mental health care services to veterans and their families. It also has representatives who help veterans connect with financial assistance programs and community-based services. |