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Last updated: 16 September 2026
Texas seniors can get help with food, Medicare costs, housing, utility bills, home repairs, property taxes, transportation, and long-term care. Most help is not a cash grant. It is usually a benefit, discount, tax exemption, service, voucher, or payment made to a provider. This guide shows where to start and what to do if the first program does not fit.
Bottom Line
Start with three places. Use Your Texas Benefits for SNAP, Medicaid, and Medicare Savings Programs. Call 2-1-1 Texas for local food, rent, utility, and emergency resources. For meals, caregiver support, benefits counseling, and local aging services, use the Texas AAA directory.
Need Help Right Now?
- Call 911 for immediate danger, fire, or a life-threatening medical emergency.
- Call or text 988 for a mental health crisis, or use the 988 Lifeline.
- For urgent suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a person age 65 or older or an adult with a disability, call the Texas Abuse Hotline at 1-800-252-5400. The Texas Abuse Hotline says online reports are for situations that do not need immediate investigation.
- For urgent food, shelter, rent, or utility help, call 2-1-1 or 1-877-541-7905. Our Texas emergency help guide gives more backup routes.
Start Here
- Pick the biggest problem first. Food, medication, shutoff, or housing loss should come before less urgent bills.
- Apply through the correct office. Texas Health and Human Services handles many statewide benefits, while housing, energy, and aging programs are often local.
- Ask for a backup. If a list is closed or funds are gone, ask when it reopens and which program can help now.
Quick Help by Need
| Need | Best first stop | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Food or Medicaid | Your Texas Benefits | Screen me for SNAP, Medicaid, and Medicare cost help. |
| Meals or caregiver help | Local Area Agency on Aging | Do you offer meals, caregiver support, transportation, or benefits counseling? |
| Rent or housing | Local housing authority | Which voucher or senior apartment lists are open? |
| Utility bill | Help for Texans | Who is my local CEAP or weatherization provider? |
| Home repair | USDA or local repair programs | Do I qualify for a safety-repair grant or loan? |
| Aging or disability navigation | Texas HHS | Call 1-855-937-2372 if you are unsure which aging or disability office serves you. |
What Has Changed
- Texas Health and Human Services revised its Medicare Savings Program handbook in June 2026. The current 2026 income and resource figures in this guide are effective March 1, 2026.
- TDHCA now directs people seeking utility assistance through Help for Texans. The separate Texas Utility Help application website is closed.
- TDHCA itself runs Housing Choice Vouchers only in a 34-county service area. Other Texans generally need the housing authority that serves their own city or county.
- Texas HHS maintains a live Area Agency on Aging directory. Use it instead of an old saved phone list because local contacts can change.
Food and Daily Cost Help
SNAP and the simpler TSAP route
What it helps with: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits help buy food. Texas loads approved benefits onto a Lone Star Card.
Who may qualify: Texas looks at household circumstances, income, and allowed deductions. Medical expenses can matter for households with a member age 60 or older or a person with a disability. Do not assume you are over the limit without applying.
A simpler route: The Texas Simplified Application Project (TSAP) is for certain households where every member is age 60 or older or receives disability payments, no member has earned income, and no member receives SNAP through SNAP-CAP. Texas keeps a separate TSAP application form.
Where to apply: Start online through Your Texas Benefits. For a step-by-step Texas explanation, use our Texas SNAP guide.
Meals and local aging services
Texas has 28 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs). They serve all counties and can arrange or refer older adults to home-delivered meals, group meals, caregiver support, benefits counseling, transportation, and other local services. Services and waiting lists vary by region.
Use our Texas AAA guide when you want help understanding what the local office can do. If you are not sure which aging or disability program fits, Texas HHS also lists service offices by county and ZIP code and gives the statewide navigation number 1-855-937-2372.
Property Tax Help for Homeowners 65+
What it helps with: Texas residence homestead exemptions reduce taxable home value. The Texas Comptroller’s current guidance says school districts provide a $140,000 general residence homestead exemption. A qualifying homeowner who is age 65 or older or disabled gets an additional $60,000 school exemption.
Who may qualify: For the age-65 exemption, you must be at least 65, have an ownership interest in the home, and use it as your principal residence. Local cities, counties, school districts, or special districts may offer additional local-option exemptions.
Where to apply: File with your county appraisal district. The Texas exemption guide explains the state rules and links the residence homestead form.
Important: A tax deferral can delay collection for some older or disabled homeowners, but it does not erase the tax debt. Interest and later repayment can matter. Our Texas property tax guide explains exemptions, ceilings, deferrals, and local filing questions.
Housing, Utilities, and Home Repair
Housing vouchers and affordable apartments
Housing Choice Vouchers: TDHCA is one of several public housing authorities in Texas. Its own voucher program covers only 34 counties. The TDHCA voucher page explains its service area and special-purpose vouchers. In many places, you must apply through a city or county housing authority instead.
Waitlists: Lists can be long, closed, or opened for only a short time. Ask whether the housing authority has senior, disability, veteran, homelessness, or local-residency preferences. Never pay a fee to join a legitimate Section 8 waitlist.
Our Texas housing guide covers vouchers and emergency housing. If you mainly need lower-rent apartments, use the Texas apartment guide.
Energy bills and weatherization
The Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) helps qualifying low-income households with energy costs. TDHCA says local subrecipients collectively cover all 254 counties. TDHCA does not usually take individual applications itself. Use its CEAP program page and Help for Texans to find the local provider.
The Weatherization program can lower future energy costs through approved efficiency work. It is not a general remodeling fund, and the local provider decides what measures the home needs.
USDA Section 504 home repair
USDA Rural Development’s Texas Section 504 program is open for ongoing applications. It offers loans to eligible low- and very-low-income rural homeowners for repairs and grants to very-low-income homeowners age 62 or older to remove health and safety hazards.
The current USDA Texas page lists a maximum loan of $40,000 and a maximum grant of $10,000. Loans are generally for 20 years at 1% interest. Grants have a $10,000 lifetime limit and must be repaid if the property is sold in less than three years.
USDA also checks rural location, ownership, occupancy, income, and whether affordable credit is available elsewhere. For other city, county, nonprofit, and accessibility programs, use our Texas home repair guide.
| Option | Best fit | Main limit |
|---|---|---|
| Housing Choice Voucher | Low-income renters | Local waitlists may be closed. |
| CEAP | Low-income households with energy bills | Local funding can run out. |
| Weatherization | Homes with high energy burden | Only approved energy measures are covered. |
| USDA Section 504 | Eligible rural homeowners | Income, rural-area, and ownership rules apply. |
Health, Medicare, and Long-Term Care
Medicaid and STAR+PLUS
Medicaid for the Elderly and People with Disabilities can help some Texas seniors with health coverage and long-term services. STAR+PLUS is Texas Medicaid managed care for adults with disabilities and people age 65 or older, including many people who have both Medicare and Medicaid. Long-term services can include help in the home, but financial and care-needs rules both apply.
Apply through Your Texas Benefits or use the H1200 paper application when needed. An assessment may be required for home- and community-based long-term services. Our Texas disability guide explains related state and local supports.
2026 Medicare Savings Programs
Medicare Savings Programs can pay Medicare premiums and, for Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) recipients, Medicare deductibles and coinsurance. Texas HHSC’s current MSP chart says the following figures are effective March 1, 2026.
| Program | Individual income | Couple income | Resource limit | Main help |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QMB | Up to $1,330/month | Up to $1,804/month | $9,950 / $14,910 | Part A/B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance |
| SLMB | $1,330.01 to under $1,596 | $1,804.01 to under $2,164 | $9,950 / $14,910 | Part B premium |
| QI-1 | Above the SLMB range; under $1,796 | Above the SLMB range; under $2,435 | $9,950 / $14,910 | Part B premium |
HHSC states that these listed income limits do not include the $20 general income disregard. Resource rules also have exclusions. Two current June 2026 HHSC charts differ by one cent on the exact QI-1 lower boundary, so this table does not state that boundary. Do not self-deny; let HHSC screen the full household.
Extra Help and Medicare counseling
Social Security’s Extra Help program lowers Medicare Part D prescription costs for people with limited income and resources. You can apply before or after enrolling in Part D.
For free, non-sales Medicare counseling, ask your Area Agency on Aging for benefits counseling. Bring your Medicare card, plan cards, medication list, and recent notices. If you live in a nursing facility or assisted living facility and have a rights or care problem, call the Texas LTC Ombudsman at 1-800-252-2412.
Transportation to medical care
Texas Medicaid members may have access to nonemergency medical transportation for covered health appointments. Ask your Medicaid plan or transportation broker how much advance notice is required and whether an attendant is allowed. For everyday rides, AAAs and local transit agencies may have senior or paratransit programs.
Veteran and Disability-Specific Help
Veterans and surviving spouses should check both general senior programs and veteran-specific help. The Texas Veterans Commission can connect veterans with claims assistance, employment, education, and local veteran services. Our Texas veteran guide covers state property-tax relief, VA care, pensions, and local service officers.
If disability changes how you live at home, ask about Medicaid long-term services, home modifications, accessible transportation, equipment, and Aging and Disability Resource Centers. The state service finder can route callers who do not know which office to contact.
For phone or internet service, qualifying households may also check the federal Lifeline program. Do not pay anyone who promises guaranteed approval for a government benefit.
How to Apply Without Wasting Time
Many Texas programs ask for the same basic information. Make one paper or digital folder and reuse it.
- Photo ID and proof of Texas address.
- Social Security, pension, Railroad Retirement, VA, or wage records.
- Bank or resource statements when the program asks for them.
- Rent, mortgage, property-tax, insurance, and utility bills.
- Medicare and Medicaid cards and recent benefit notices.
- Prescription and medical-expense records if they may affect eligibility.
- Disability, veteran, caregiver, or guardianship papers when relevant.
Before submitting: ask the office which documents are required for your exact program. Take screenshots of online confirmations. If you mail papers, keep copies. Write down the date, time, worker’s name, and case number after each call.
Reality Checks
- Housing is often slow. Apply to more than one legitimate list when rules allow it.
- Utility and repair funds can run out. Ask when the next intake opens and what emergency option is available now.
- Long-term care uses more than one test. Financial eligibility and care needs may both matter.
- Local rules vary. A program in Houston may not serve Dallas, San Antonio, El Paso, or a rural county.
- Maximum awards are not typical awards. USDA’s maximum does not mean every approved homeowner receives that amount.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming every form of help is a grant.
- Paying a fee to join a housing waitlist or “unlock” public benefits.
- Using an old local phone number instead of the current official directory.
- Ignoring a request for documents because you think the agency already has them.
- Missing an appeal deadline while waiting for a worker to call back.
- Applying to only one repair, housing, or utility program when several local options may exist.
Denied, Delayed, or Overwhelmed?
Ask for the decision in writing. Read the notice for the deadline and appeal instructions. If information is missing, ask whether you can submit it before a final denial. If a program is closed, ask for the reopening date, waitlist, and closest alternative.
For a benefits problem, call 2-1-1 or your Area Agency on Aging and ask for benefits counseling or legal help. For nursing-home or assisted-living rights, use the Long-Term Care Ombudsman. Keep every notice, envelope, confirmation number, and screenshot until the issue is resolved.
Phone Scripts You Can Use
Calling 2-1-1
“I am an older adult in [county]. I need help with [food/rent/utilities]. Which programs are taking applications now, and what documents should I bring?”
Calling an AAA
“I am [age] and live in [county]. Can you screen me for meals, Medicare cost help, caregiver support, transportation, and other local senior services?”
Calling a housing authority
“Is your Housing Choice Voucher or public-housing list open? Do you have senior or disability preferences, and where should I check for the next opening?”
Calling a utility provider
“I am having trouble paying my bill. Do you offer a payment plan, medical or critical-care protection, or a referral to the local CEAP provider?”
Local Texas Guides
Large Texas metro areas have different housing authorities, charities, transportation systems, and city repair programs. If you live in one of the largest metros, use the local guide that matches your area: Houston senior help, Dallas senior help, or San Antonio senior help.
Resumen en Español
Las personas mayores en Texas pueden recibir ayuda con comida, Medicaid, costos de Medicare, vivienda, servicios públicos, reparaciones del hogar e impuestos de propiedad. Para SNAP, Medicaid y programas que ayudan a pagar Medicare, empiece en Your Texas Benefits. Para ayuda local con comida, renta, servicios públicos o refugio, llame al 2-1-1. Para comidas, apoyo para cuidadores y orientación sobre beneficios, busque su Area Agency on Aging.
En 2026, la guía estatal confirma una exención escolar general de vivienda de $140,000 y una exención escolar adicional de $60,000 para propietarios que califican y tienen 65 años o más o una discapacidad. Si le niegan ayuda, pida la decisión por escrito y revise la fecha límite para apelar. Guarde copias de documentos, avisos y números de caso.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a Texas senior grant?
There is no single statewide cash grant for every Texas senior. Help is spread across food benefits, Medicare cost programs, housing subsidies, utility assistance, property-tax relief, home-repair programs, and local services. Each program has its own rules.
Where should I apply first?
For SNAP, Medicaid, or Medicare Savings Programs, start with Your Texas Benefits. For local food, rent, utility, or emergency help, call 2-1-1. For aging services, contact your local Area Agency on Aging.
What are 2026 Medicare Savings limits?
Effective March 1, 2026, Texas lists QMB monthly income up to $1,330 for one person or $1,804 for a couple. SLMB and QI-1 have higher ranges. Common QMB, SLMB, and QI-1 resource limits are $9,950 for one person and $14,910 for a couple, with exclusions. HHSC should screen your full case.
How much is the age-65 exemption?
Texas school districts provide a $140,000 general residence homestead exemption. A qualifying homeowner age 65 or older or disabled also gets an additional $60,000 school exemption. Local taxing units may offer additional exemptions.
Does Texas run statewide Section 8?
No single Texas housing authority covers the whole state. TDHCA administers Housing Choice Vouchers in a 34-county service area, while other public housing authorities serve their own areas. Check the housing authority for your city or county.
Can seniors get home-repair grants?
Some can. USDA Section 504 offers grants up to $10,000 to eligible very-low-income rural homeowners age 62 or older for health and safety hazards. City, county, nonprofit, and weatherization programs may also help, but funding and service areas vary.
What if funds are gone?
Ask when the program will reopen, whether a waitlist exists, and which backup program is open now. Then call 2-1-1 and the local Area Agency on Aging so you can check other providers instead of waiting on one program.
About This Guide
Sources: This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources linked in the article.
Editorial note
This guide is produced under the GFS Editorial Standards using official and other high-trust sources. GFS is not affiliated with a government agency and is not a substitute for official agency guidance. Individual eligibility outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
Corrections
Despite careful verification, errors may occur. Email info@grantsforseniors.org with corrections.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal, financial, medical, tax, disability-rights, immigration, or government-agency advice. Program rules, policies, funding, and availability can change. Readers should confirm current details directly with the responsible official program before acting.
Last updated: 16 September 2026 · Next review: 16 January 2027
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