How do I find and access senior services?

Area Agency on Aging (AAA) - regional level (Texas has 28 AAAs) / Texas Health and Human Services Commission - HHSC (state level)

Details

What you need to know

Fee

Most services free or on sliding scale ONLINE OPTION: hhs.texas.gov/aging; 211texas.org; yourtexasbenefits.com WHERE TO GO: Your regional AAA or ADRC; local senior center; 211 Texas; HHSC office

Online Option

hhs.texas.gov/aging; 211texas.org; yourtexasbenefits.com

Where to Go

Your regional AAA or ADRC; local senior center; 211 Texas; HHSC office

County-specific variations apply

Texas's 28 AAAs cover diverse regions. Harris County (Houston), Dallas County, Tarrant County (Fort Worth), Bexar County (San Antonio), Travis County (Austin), and El Paso County have the most extensive urban senior services. Texas has vast rural areas - the Panhandle, West Texas (Trans-Pecos region), South Texas (Rio Grande Valley), the Big Bend area, and the Piney Woods of East Texas - where AAAs cover enormous geographic areas with limited service density.

Texas Notes

Important state-specific details

TEXAS SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program): Texas's free Medicare counseling - contact your regional AAA or call 1-800-252-9240; helps with Medicare enrollment, billing disputes, and plan selection.
STAR+PLUS: Texas's primary Medicaid managed long-term services and supports (MLTSS) program; for adults 65+ and disabled; covers both acute care and HCBS; apply through HHSC at (877) 541-7905.
COMMUNITY FIRST CHOICE (CFC): Medicaid program providing attendant care in the home and community; alternative to institutional care.
PROPERTY TAX BENEFITS FOR SENIORS: Texas homestead exemption ($140,000 from school taxes as of 2025 Prop. 13); over-65 exemption ($10,000 additional school district exemption + property tax CEILING); disabled veteran exemption; apply with County Appraisal District.
LIHEAP: Texas Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program; important given TX's extreme summers and occasional winters; apply through HHSC or 211.
Adult Protective Services (APS): report elder abuse through Texas APS at (800) 252-5400 (24-hour hotline).

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

Texas HHSC, Aging Services - hhs.texas.gov/aging | (512) 424-6500; Texas SHIP: 1-800-252-9240; APS: (800) 252-5400; 211 Texas: dial 211; yourtexasbenefits.com