For many residents of Santa Clara County, Medi-Cal provides essential health benefits including outpatient services, emergency services, hospitalization, prescription drugs, and more. Medi-Cal is California’s version of the federal Medicaid health insurance program for income-qualified individuals.  

Big changes are coming to the Medi-Cal program effective January 1, 2026, making it more important than ever to prepare now, whether you’re applying for benefits for the first time or working to maintain your current coverage. 

For adults 19 years of age or older who do not have a Satisfactory Immigration Status, and are not pregnant, there will be an enrollment freeze on all new full-scope Medi-Cal applications and enrollments. If you are part of this group and already enrolled in full-scope Medi-Cal, you can stay covered regardless of your immigration status as long as you complete your annual renewal. If, for any reason, you lose your coverage, you will be unable to sign up again, except for emergency and pregnancy care.  

For Medi-Cal members and applicants whose eligibility is based on age (65 years and older), with a disability (physical, mental, or developmental), or long- term care needs, assets will once again be taken into consideration during the application and renewal process. The asset limit for one person is $130,000. Assets include bank accounts, cash, and anything over one home and one vehicle.  

If you are part of either group and do not have full-scope Medi-Cal, there is still time to apply before the new eligibility criteria takes effect. Reach out to a community-based organization for assistance applying as soon as possible to become enrolled by or before December 31, 2025.  

If you are part of either group and already have full-scope Medi-Cal, ensure you complete your annual renewals to maintain your coverage. If you miss your renewal date, you will have 90 days to submit the requested documents to resolve the issue. Documents you may need to successfully renew your Medi-Cal benefits include proof of income, expenses, and tax forms.  

Sourcewise is here to help. Connect with a Community Resource Specialist at (408) 350-3200, option 1 for help applying for Medi-Cal and navigating the renewal process.   

All information courtesy of  https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/eligibility/Pages/medi-cal-changes.aspx

Navigating life with dementia comes with its own unique set of challenges ranging from struggling to remember information that was once effortless to recall, to experiencing difficulties being able to express yourself. Everyday living may not resemble what it once was, but being educated on dementia makes navigating its waters much more manageable.  

There are a few different variations of dementia: 

• Alzheimer’s disease, the most common dementia diagnosis, is usually associated with abnormal buildups of proteins in the brain.
• Lewy body dementia (LBD) includes problems with mood, behavior, thinking and movement. Individuals with LBD have abnormal amounts of a protein called alpha-synuclein in the brain, also known as Lewy bodies.
• Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is one of the rarer forms of dementia and tends to pop up for individuals younger than 60. Changes in the frontal lobe may lead to difficulty with language and emotions, while changes in the temporal lobe may lead to behavioral symptoms.
• Vascular dementia is a diagnosis in people who experience vascular changes in the brain, such as a stroke or injury to blood vessels in the brain. 

Getting a dementia diagnosis can be done by visiting your physician. Dementia gets progressively worse over time but staying organized can help mitigate some of its difficulties. To help you or a loved one manage living with dementia, here are some helpful tips: 

• Make a list of groceries, and other items for everyday living and have them delivered.
• Write down important dates and events on a calendar or something easily visible.
• Remain physically and mentally active.
• Always carry a form of ID and make sure that people in your community are aware of your diagnosis.
• Discuss a care plan with your physician to go over strategies that can help.

For more information on community resources, contact a Community Resource Specialist at (408) 350-3200, option 1. 

When was the last time you did a community service activity?  Launched in 2008, November 4 was designated as the day that you can take some time to give back to your community. National Day of Community Service was established to promote volunteerism and acts of kindness to Americans. Since its creation, National Day of Community Service has grown immensely with various states and non-profits partnering together to increase participation.

If you are looking to perform community service, Sourcewise offers multiple volunteer opportunities that can range from   a one-time opportunity or an ongoing commitment.

• Create seasonal cards – with the holidays around the corner you can create, decorate, and write holiday wishes to homebound seniors enrolled in our Meals on Wheels program.
• Participate in social activities – join in on social activities with seniors such as arts & crafts or playing board games at a community center hosted by Sourcewise.
• Become a Sourcewise Ambassador – Call a homebound senior enrolled in our Meals on Wheels program on a weekly basis to have a friendly conversation and help provide a human connection to someone who may be struggling with isolation.  

Performing community service can offer a wide range of benefits that go beyond simply helping others.

• One of the most rewarding aspects is the sense of purpose and fulfillment volunteering can bring. When you contribute your time and skills to a cause, you often feel more connected to your community and more aware of the needs around you. This can boost your self-esteem and overall mental well-being.
• Helps you grow personally and professionally. Volunteering can allow you to develop new skills—like communication, leadership, and problem-solving—that may be valuable in both your personal life and career. For students or those considering changing careers, it’s a great way to gain experience and explore different fields.
• Socially, volunteering connects you with people from diverse backgrounds, helping you build meaningful relationships and expand your network. It can also increase your cultural awareness and empathy, especially when working with underserved or marginalized communities.

Wherever you may find yourself performing community service on November 4, the act of giving back benefits both the community and your own well-being.

Call (408) 350-3200, option 1 to learn about available volunteer opportunities serving members of your local community.

For many of us, there will come a point in our lives when we need to step up, in an unpaid capacity, to support a loved one who is no longer able to take care of themselves. For 53 million adults across the United States, the role of family caregiver is one that may begin slowly, as a relative slowly loses the ability to complete activities of daily living, or quickly, such as following a medical emergency.

72% of family caregivers report that the emotional stress from their role  is the top difficulty they face as a family caregiver, and for many that stress is the direct result of feeling unsupported and alone as they face the daunting task of adding caregiving on top of all their other roles and responsibilities. To effectively care for your loved one, it is essential to continue taking care of yourself. Exploring and using different support options available to family caregivers in Santa Clara County.

• If your loved one has Medi-Cal, consider having them apply for In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) available through the County of Santa Clara Social Services Agency. IHSS provides in-home assistance with household and personal care services to individuals who are blind, live with a disability, or are aged 65 years and older.  Sharing the load of caregiving with a hired care provider provides much needed free time. For other family caregivers, they may choose to receive payment from IHSS to ease some of the financial burden of caregiving.
• If your loved one does not have Medi-Cal, there are many out-of-pocket in-home care agencies to choose from as well. Even paying for a few hours of care a week may create some precious pockets of spare time for an exhausted family caregiver.
• Lastly, there are a few short-term respite options available in one-time grants. Caregivers Network by Sourcewise offers respite care grants to temporarily relieve family caregivers from their caregiving responsibilities, and this program has no insurance or income requirement to be eligible. Community Supports through Santa Clara Family Health Plan and Anthem Blue Cross also have respite care options for Medi-Cal recipients reliant on a family caregiver.

Being a family caregiver is a selfless and often never-ending role. Consider getting support and pouring into yourself so you’re not pouring from an empty cup when caring for a loved one.

Connect with a Community Resource Specialist at (408) 350-3200, option 1 to explore what options are available to you and your family.

Californians experiencing low or no income who struggle to pay for food may be eligible for CalFresh, known federally as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This program provides monthly assistance to individuals seeking access to nutritious foods. The benefit is issued on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card and is used to make purchases at retail stores and markets that accept EBT.  

CalFresh can be used to purchase the following items from participating stores:  

• Fruits and vegetables 
• Meat, poultry, and fish 
• Dairy products 
• Breads and cereals 
• Other foods such as snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages
• Seeds and plants, which produce food for the household to eat

Filling out unfamiliar government applications can be a daunting task. Whether for yourself, a friend, a family member, or a neighbor, many individuals find the CalFresh application process challenging. This is especially true for those with a physical, mental, developmental, or emotional condition.

As part of our continued commitment to assist older adults, Sourcewise offers CalFresh application assistance in-person and over the phone for residents of Santa Clara County who meet the income eligibility requirements. In the course of an on average one-hour appointment, Community Resource Specialists will assist you with completing the CalFresh application form and can answer any questions you may have about the application and approval process. 

Are you ready to get started? Give us a call at (408) 350-3200, option 1, to speak with a Community Resource Specialist today.