Assisted Living in Huntington Beach, CA

Assisted Living Costs in Huntington Beach

Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care study states that the average monthly cost of assisted living in Huntington Beach is $4,500, which is equal to California’s state average and significantly higher than the national average of $4,000. While assisted living costs in nearby coastal areas, such as San Diego, Santa Maria and Oxnard, are equivalent to or above those in Huntington Beach, costs in Huntington Beach are much higher than those in inland cities such as Bakersfield ($3,150) and the Riverside area ($3,500).

Note: Senior care cost data wasn’t available for Huntington Beach, so data for the closest city, the Los Angeles Area, was used.

Cost of Assisted Living Comparison Chart

• Huntington Beach/Los Angeles area: $4,500
• National average: $4,000
• State average: $4,500
• Riverside area: $3,500
• Oxnard area: $4,575
• San Diego area: $4,500
• Santa Maria area: $4,825
• San Luis Obispo area: $5,450
• Bakersfield: $3,150

Care Cost Comparison

In Huntington Beach, the cost of senior care varies significantly according to the type of care needed. At the low end, and for those seeking adult day health services, costs average $1,565 per month. For those requiring round-the-clock care in a nursing home, the costs are much higher at $7,604 per month for a semiprivate room. The average monthly costs of assisted living ($4,500) and home health services ($4,767) fall about halfway between day health and nursing home costs. However, unlike the average price of assisted living, the average costs of homemaker/home health aide services don’t include home living expenses, such as utility bills, rent and home maintenance.

Cost of Homemaker/Home Health Aide Comparison Chart

• Assisted living: $4,500
• Homemaker services: $4,767
• Home health aide: $4,767
• Adult day health: $1,565
• Nursing home care (semiprivate room): $7,604

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Huntington Beach

Medicaid in California

In California, the federal Medicaid program is called Medi-Cal. It provides free or low-cost health care coverage to eligible California residents, including seniors, people with disabilities and low-income individuals and families. Seniors may qualify if they:

• Are age 65 or older, blind or disabled
• Reside in an intermediate care or skilled nursing home
• Receive refugee services for a limited time or receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Have low income (less than $16,396 for an individual or $22,109 for couples per year)
• Have low assets with a limit of $2,000 (individual) or $3,000 (couple), and the limit excludes the applicant’s home, one vehicle, furnishings and personal items

Medi-Cal provides seniors with essential health benefits, including outpatient and emergency services, hospitalization, mental health services, prescription drugs, laboratory services, occupational and physical therapy, chronic disease management and preventative services. 

To apply for Medi-Cal, Huntington Beach residents can complete an online application at Covered California or call the Orange County office at (800) 281-9799.

Assisted Living Waiver

In additional to receiving benefits, seniors enrolled in Medi-Cal may also qualify for California’s Assisted Living Waiver. Through this waiver, senior participants have access to assisted living services and care and nursing facility coordination. Services include intermittent skilled nursing care, assistance with activities of daily living, recreational activities and housekeeping tasks. Participants can live in either a residential care facility or publicly-funded housing. Senior residents of Huntington Beach who are enrolled in Medi-Cal and are in interested in this waiver program should contact the Orange County Care Coordination Agency by calling (818) 551-1900 or emailing cca@accesstlchomehealth.com to request an assessment. 

Other Financial Assistance Programs for Assisted Living

Supplemental Security Income

People with disabilities and seniors over age 65 who earn little to no income and have limited assets may be eligible to receive monthly payments from the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. In California, senior individuals enrolled in the program can receive up to $1,194.37 per month to put toward nonmedical out-of-home care, while senior married couples can receive up to $2,388.74 per month. Additional benefits can include protective services, personal care services for those wishing to remain at home and an extra allowance for assistance dogs.

To qualify for SSI, individuals must have less than $2,000 in assets and married couples must have less than $3,000. An applicant’s home, car and burial plot are excluded when quantifying assets. Countable monthly income should generally be less than $771 for an individual and $1,157 for a married couple. Seniors can apply for SSI online or call (800) 772-1213. Those receiving SSI enroll in Medi-Cal automatically.  

Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefits

Veterans and survivors in California who receive a monthly pension may be eligible for additional payments through the Veterans Aid and Attendance program (A&A). To qualify, a veteran or surviving spouse must be over age 65 and meet one of the below criteria:

• Be bedridden
• Require assistance from a caregiver to perform activities of daily living, such as eating, getting dressed, toileting and bathing
• Be legally blind
• Have physical or mental disabilities that require nursing home care services

Income limits also exist, and while unreimbursed medical expenses can be deducted, they include $22,577 in annual income for an individual with no dependents and $26,765 for a veteran with a spouse or child.  Similarly, a net-worth limit of up to $126,000 for both single and married applicants also exists. The net-worth limit excludes the value of homes and vehicles, but includes annual income.

Huntington Beach residents can write to their regional pension management center or visit their local benefit office to apply.

Elderlife Financial Bridge Loans

Short-term lines of credit to help with the cost of assisted living are an option, and bridge loans provide seniors and their families with immediate funds while they wait other sources of long-term funding, such as the sale of a home or pension processing. These funds can be used to pay for expenses that include moving fees or assisted living costs, and payments can be set up and sent directly to the senior’s community, sometimes within 24 hours. 

Additional factors determining eligibility include income, liquid assets, home equity and the combined credit scores of up to six cosigners on the loan. Huntington Beach residents can complete an application online at Elderlife Financial Services or call (888) 228-4500 to apply.

Assisted Living Resources in Huntington Beach

Community Aid Agencies

Several organizations in Huntington Beach provide resources to seniors, including benefits counseling, family support services and access to events, meals and transportation.

The Huntington Beach Council on Aging
18041 Goldenwest Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
(714) 374-1524

Alzheimer’s Family Center
9451 Indianapolis Ave., Huntington Beach, CA 92646
(714) 593-9630
This center provides adult day care services for individuals with dementia as well as community education and caregiver programs and services.

Orange County Social Services Agency
744 N Eckhoff St, Orange, CA 92868
(714) 825-3000

Huntington Beach Senior Centers

Senior centers in Huntington Beach provide seniors with educational, recreational and social programs designed to enhance their quality of life. 

Rodgers Center
1706 Orange Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
(714) 536-9387

Senior Center in Central Park
18041 Goldenwest St, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
(714) 536-5600

Veterans Resources

Veterans and their family members in Huntington Beach have access to local resource centers that provide benefits counseling and referral assistance.

Huntington Beach Public Library’s Veterans Resource Center
7111 Talbert Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
(714) 375-5111

Orange County Veterans Service Office
1300 S. Grand Avenue, Building B, Room 247, Santa Ana, CA 92705
(714) 480-6555