Agency Directory
If I go back to work, will I lose my benefits?
This is the most common question older adults ask — and a completely reasonable one. The rules around Social Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Medicare, and Medi-Cal can feel complicated, and the stakes feel high.
The honest answer is: it depends on your specific situation. The only way to know for certain is to speak with a qualified benefits counselor before you accept any job offer. The resources below connect you with the right people at every level of government.
ARS Note: ARS Workability is also here for this conversation. We will follow up with every job candidate who has questions — at no cost and with no pressure.
Federal Agencies (4)
The authoritative sources for Social Security, Medicare, and federal workforce rules. When you need an official answer about your benefits, these agencies are the primary contacts.
Social Security Administration (SSA)
Scope: Federal · Primary Contact · Free
- SSI income and resource rules when working
- SSDI Trial Work Period and Extended Period of Eligibility
- Social Security retirement earnings limits by age
- Ticket to Work enrollment (free program)
- Benefit verification letters
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) — Medicare
Scope: Federal · Health Coverage · Free
- Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D — overview and enrollment
- Coordination with employer health insurance when returning to work
- Medicare Savings Programs for lower premiums
- Ticket to Work enrollment (free program)
- Extra Help for low-income beneficiaries (Part D)
U.S. Department of Labor — SCSEP & Workforce Programs
Scope: Federal · 55+ · Free
- SCSEP: federally funded paid job training program for low-income adults 55+
- WIOA Title II workforce programs
- Age discrimination rights (ADEA)
- America's Job Centers referrals
Administration for Community Living (ACL) — Eldercare Locator
Scope: Federal · 55+ · Free
- Eldercare Locator — find local senior services nationwide
- Elder rights and legal assistance programs
- Home and community-based service coordination
- Administers the Older Americans Act through Area Agencies on Aging
State of California Agencies (5)
California offers strong state-level supports for older workers and benefit recipients. These agencies provide income support, health coverage, vocational rehabilitation, and benefits counseling statewide.
HICAP — Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program
Scope: California · Medicare Experts · 55+ · Free
- How employment income affects Medicare costs — free, unbiased advice
- Medicare Savings Programs (help with premiums)
- Medi-Cal spend-down when income increases from employment
- Medicare and employer insurance coordination
- Appeals and billing problem assistance
California Department of Social Services (CDSS)
Scope: California · Free
- Medi-Cal eligibility and income reporting rules when starting work
- CalFresh earned income deductions
- CAPI — Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants
- Transition period protections when income increases
California Employment Development Department (EDD)
Scope: California · Free
- State Disability Insurance (SDI) — income protection during illness or injury
- Paid Family Leave (PFL)
- Unemployment Insurance if a job ends
- CalJOBS labor market and job search tools
Covered California
Scope: California · Free to Enroll
- ACA-subsidized health plans for working adults who exceed Medi-Cal income limits
- Medi-Cal to Covered California transition assistance
- Premium tax credit eligibility
- Special enrollment periods when coverage status changes
California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR)
Scope: California · Free
- Vocational rehabilitation eligibility and planning for adults with disabilities
- Training and education funding
- Assistive technology evaluation
- Benefits planning within the DOR program
- DOR partners closely with ARS as a co-serving agency
Los Angeles City & County Agencies (4)
For those in the greater Los Angeles area, these local government agencies provide on-the-ground services including benefits navigation, senior employment support, and in-person assistance.
LA County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS)
Scope: LA County · Free
- Medi-Cal income reporting and transitions when starting work
- CalFresh recertification and earnings reporting
- General Relief for adults not covered by other programs
- IHSS (In-Home Supportive Services) assessments for eligible older adults
Los Angeles County Area Agency on Aging (AAA)
Scope: LA County · 55+ · Free
- SCSEP local enrollment for adults 55+ across all 88 LA County cities
- Benefits counseling and enrollment assistance
- Legal aid for elder rights
- Multilingual and culturally specific programs
City of Los Angeles Department of Aging
Scope: City of LA · 55+ · Free
- 16 senior centers across the city — in-person employment and benefits help
- Benefits enrollment and program navigation
- CalFresh and SNAP enrollment support
- Multilingual staff serving diverse communities
211 LA — Community Resource Hotline
Scope: LA County · Free · Available 24/7
- Referral to senior employment programs near you — call 2-1-1
- Benefits enrollment assistance
- Food, housing, and emergency services navigation
- Available in 100+ languages, 24 hours a day
National Organizations Supporting Adults 55+ (4)
These nonprofit organizations exist specifically to serve older adults navigating employment, benefits, and financial security — with free helplines, counseling, and research available to anyone in the country.
National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA)
Scope: Nationwide · AAPI · 55+ · Culturally Specific · Free
- SSI, SSDI, and Social Security counseling — multilingual helpline
- SCSEP subsidized employment training specifically for AAPI adults 55+
- Medicare and Medi-Cal enrollment assistance
- Elder rights advocacy at the federal level
- The leading national nonprofit specifically serving AAPI older adults
National Council on Aging (NCOA) — BenefitsCheckUp
Scope: Nationwide · 55+ · Benefits Screening · Free
- BenefitsCheckUp: free online tool screening eligibility for 2,000+ programs
- Medicare Extra Help (Low Income Subsidy)
- SCSEP program referrals
- Economic security resources and advocacy for older adults
AARP Foundation — Back to Work 50+
Scope: Nationwide · 55+ · Free
- Free career coaching and job search assistance for adults 50+
- Social Security claiming strategy guides and online calculators
- Age discrimination rights and ADEA educational resources
- Age-friendly employer pledge network — employers committed to hiring older workers
Senior Service America — SCSEP
Scope: Nationwide · 55+ · Free
- SCSEP: paid part-time community service work experience while building skills
- Eligibility: age 55+, income at or below 125% of the federal poverty level
- Skills training alongside placement
- Transition support to permanent, unsubsidized employment
You Don't Have to Figure This Out Alone
Every older adult’s benefits situation is different. Whether you’re on SSI, SSDI, Social Security retirement, Medi-Cal, or a combination — ARS Workability is here to talk through what returning to work could mean for you specifically. We’ll walk through your questions, connect you with the right agency or counselor, and follow up at every stage.
Reassurance note: All services are free · Confidential · No pressure · Available in multiple languages