Area Agencies on Aging in Texas

Complete Guide to Area Agencies on Aging in Texas (2026)

Last updated: January 05, 2026

If You Need Emergency Help

Call 911 immediately if you or someone you know is in immediate danger, experiencing a medical emergency, or being abused or neglected.

For urgent aging or disability assistance:

• Texas AAA Statewide Hotline: 1-800-252-9240 – Connect to your local Area Agency on Aging
• Adult Protective Services: 1-800-252-5400 – Report elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation (24/7)
• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988 – Mental health crisis support
• 2-1-1 Texas – Dial 2-1-1 for comprehensive emergency resources and assistance

For immediate food assistance:

• Contact your local Area Agency on Aging for emergency food programs
• SNAP Emergency Hotline – Call 2-1-1, select language, choose Option 7

Key Takeaways

• Texas has 28 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) serving all 254 counties across the state
• All services are free or donation-based for seniors 60+ and people with disabilities of any age
• Call 1-800-252-9240 to connect with your local AAA – this single number works statewide
• Most AAAs operate Aging & Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) for comprehensive assistance
• No income requirements for information and assistance services
• Most AAAs provide home-delivered meals, transportation, legal help, and Medicare counseling
• STAR+PLUS Waiver Program can help you stay in your home instead of moving to a nursing facility
• Texas serves over 5.9 million seniors with culturally diverse programs in English, Spanish, and other languages

What Are Area Agencies on Aging?

Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) are regional organizations that coordinate and provide essential services for older adults and people with disabilities throughout the Lone Star State. Created under the federal Older Americans Act, these agencies serve as the foundation of Texas’s aging services network.

Think of your local AAA as a community resource center designed specifically for Texas’s unique needs. They coordinate services across vast rural ranches, bustling urban centers like Houston and Dallas, border communities along the Rio Grande, and oil boom towns across the state. Each AAA works with local nonprofits, government agencies, faith-based organizations, and community groups to deliver services where you live.

Texas AAAs serve culturally diverse populations including Hispanic/Latino communities (40% of Texas seniors), African American seniors, Native American populations, and rural farming communities. Many AAAs provide bilingual services and culturally appropriate programming.

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission oversees all AAAs in the state and provides funding through federal, state, and local sources. Each AAA develops area plans that address local needs, from hurricane preparedness along the Gulf Coast to drought assistance in West Texas.

Texas’s 28 Area Agencies on Aging: Complete Directory

Note: Director names and some contact information may change. Always verify current details by calling 1-800-252-9240.

Core Services Provided by Texas AAAs

Information and Assistance

Every Texas AAA provides comprehensive information and assistance to help you understand your options and connect with appropriate services. Staff members are trained to address Texas-specific issues including:

• Hurricane and wildfire emergency planning and recovery
• Border community resources and immigration-related services
• Oil and gas industry worker benefits and health programs
• Agricultural worker support and seasonal employment assistance
• Bilingual services in Spanish and other languages as needed
• Heat-related health emergency prevention and response

You don’t need to qualify for any specific programs to receive information and assistance – this service is available to anyone who calls an AAA.

Nutrition Programs

Texas AAAs operate extensive nutrition programs designed to address the state’s diverse cultural preferences and vast geographic challenges.

Congregate Meals: Hot, nutritious meals served at senior centers, community centers, churches, and community halls across Texas. These programs reflect the state’s cultural diversity with traditional American, Mexican, African American soul food, and other culturally appropriate meal options. Meals typically cost $3-6 with suggested donations, though no one is turned away for inability to pay. Many sites serve as cooling centers during extreme heat.

Home-Delivered Meals (Meals on Wheels): For seniors who have difficulty shopping or preparing meals, Texas AAAs coordinate extensive home delivery programs that operate year-round, including during hurricanes and extreme weather. Volunteers often travel long distances in rural areas and may use specialized vehicles for ranch deliveries. Priority goes to homebound seniors, those without family support, and individuals at nutritional risk.

Culturally Appropriate Nutrition: Many AAAs offer specialized meal programs including traditional Mexican meals (comida), soul food options, and meals meeting specific dietary requirements for diabetes management, common in Texas communities.

Transportation Services

Transportation across Texas’s vast distances remains a critical challenge that AAAs address through innovative and culturally appropriate programs:

Medical Transportation: Priority service for getting to medical appointments, dialysis, cancer treatments, and specialists in major cities like Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin. Many programs coordinate long-distance trips requiring overnight stays and work with medical centers to group appointments.

Rural and Ranch Transportation: Specialized services for residents of remote ranches and rural communities, including coordination with ranch managers and agricultural employers for seasonal transportation needs.

Border Community Transportation: Services that understand and accommodate the unique needs of border communities, including coordination with cross-border medical care and family visits.

Reality Check: Transportation in Texas faces unique challenges. Distances between communities can be hundreds of miles, summer heat can affect vehicle operations, and severe weather including hurricanes and tornadoes can disrupt services. Hurricane evacuation transportation is available through emergency management coordination.

Legal Assistance

Texas AAAs provide free legal help for seniors 60+ in civil matters, with special emphasis on issues common in the Lone Star State:

• Oil and gas lease agreements and mineral rights
• Agricultural land use and farm succession planning
• Immigration status and citizenship issues
• Border property and cross-border family matters
• Mobile home and manufactured housing regulations
• Workers’ compensation for oil field and agricultural injuries
• Medicaid planning and benefits applications
• Hurricane and disaster recovery assistance
• Social Security and veterans benefits appeals

Legal assistance is provided by staff attorneys or volunteer lawyers familiar with Texas law. Services include advice, document preparation, and representation in appropriate cases.

Medicare and Insurance Counseling

Trained counselors help seniors understand Medicare options while addressing Texas-specific insurance challenges:

• Heat-related medical equipment coverage and emergency services
• Seasonal resident coverage for “Winter Texans” and others
• Prescription drug coverage for chronic conditions common in Texas populations
• Coordination with Mexico-based healthcare for border residents
• Workers’ compensation for oil field, agricultural, and construction industries
• Hurricane and disaster-related healthcare coverage

This counseling is completely unbiased – counselors don’t sell insurance and have no financial interest in your decisions.

Case Management and Care Coordination

For seniors with complex needs, Texas AAAs provide case management services adapted to the state’s geography and culture. Case managers work with you to:

• Assess needs considering family structure and cultural preferences
• Connect with specialists in major medical centers across long distances
• Coordinate with family members across multiple states and Mexico
• Navigate language barriers and cultural considerations
• Plan for hurricane evacuations and disaster preparedness
• Coordinate with oil field schedules and agricultural seasonal work

Family Caregiver Support

Texas AAAs operate robust Family Caregiver Support Programs recognizing the importance of family (familia) in Texas culture:

Information and Education: Training on caregiving across distances, managing diabetes and heart disease common in Texas populations, heat emergency prevention, and hurricane preparedness for caregivers.

Counseling and Support Groups: Individual counseling and peer support groups available in English and Spanish, including virtual options for rural caregivers and culturally specific support for Hispanic, African American, and other communities.

Respite Care: Temporary care services including in-home companions, adult day programs, and emergency respite during oil field work schedules or family medical trips to distant specialists.

Emergency Caregiver Support: Backup caregiving during hurricanes, heat emergencies, or other natural disasters when family members cannot reach care recipients.

Texas Medicaid Waiver Programs Through AAAs

Texas offers several Medicaid waiver programs designed to help eligible seniors and people with disabilities receive care at home instead of institutional settings, adapted to the state’s unique geography and cultural needs.

STAR+PLUS Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Program

The STAR+PLUS HCBS Program is Texas’s primary home and community-based services program, serving people who would otherwise need nursing home care.

Services Include:

• Personal assistance services with bilingual caregivers when needed
• Homemaker services including hurricane preparedness assistance
• Home-delivered meals with culturally appropriate food options
• Adult day health programs with transportation across long distances
• Respite care including emergency services during natural disasters
• Emergency response services with backup power for extreme weather
• Home modifications for accessibility and hurricane/heat protection
• Assisted living services in culturally appropriate facilities

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be age 21 or older
• Must qualify for Texas Medicaid
• Must need nursing facility level of care
• Must choose home-based services over institutional care
• Financial limits (2026):
  • Asset Limit: $2,000 in countable assets (individual)
  • Income Limit: Under $2,982/month (300% of the 2026 Federal Benefit Rate)
  • Note: If income exceeds this limit, a Qualified Income Trust (Miller Trust) may be used to establish eligibility.

Texas Reality:STAR+PLUS HCBS services are provided through managed care organizations (MCOs). Following the major state contract realignment (effective Sept 2024), specific MCO availability has shifted across service areas (eg, Travis vs. Bexar counties). Care coordinators now utilize updated 2026 payment models (PDPM) to authorize services, which may differ slightly from previous years, particularly during high-demand periods like hurricane season.

Consumer Directed Services

Texas offers consumer-directed options within STAR+PLUS allowing participants to hire their own caregivers:

How It Works:

• Participants can hire family members (except spouses) as paid caregivers
• Financial management agencies handle payroll and tax responsibilities
• Cultural and language preferences can be accommodated in caregiver selection
• Flexible scheduling for oil field families and agricultural seasonal work
• Emergency backup services during natural disasters

Community First Choice

Texas is implementing Community First Choice to expand access to personal care services outside the waiver system, with enhanced federal funding support.

Special Population Services

Hispanic/Latino Seniors (40% of Texas seniors)

Texas AAAs provide extensive culturally appropriate services for the state’s large Hispanic/Latino population:

Cultural Adaptations:

• Bilingual staff and materials in Spanish
• Culturally appropriate nutrition programs (comidas tradicionales)
• Family-centered care coordination respecting familial roles
• Immigration status assistance and citizenship support
• Cross-border family coordination and travel assistance
• Traditional healing and spiritual care integration
• Dia de los Muertos and other cultural celebration programming

Border Community Services:

• Coordination with Mexican healthcare providers
• Cross-border family communication assistance
• Immigration legal assistance and DACA support
• Border crossing assistance for medical appointments
• Dual citizenship documentation support

African American Seniors

Texas AAAs provide culturally competent services recognizing the unique history and needs of African American seniors:

Community-Specific Services:

• Historically Black Churches and Community Organizations partnerships
• Soul food nutrition programs and diabetes management
• Hypertension and heart disease prevention programming
• Historical trauma-informed care approaches
• Culturally appropriate mental health services
• Faith-based programming and spiritual care coordination

Rural and Agricultural Community Seniors

Texas’s vast rural areas receive specialized support recognizing the challenges of ranch and farm life:

Agricultural-Specific Services:

• Ranch and farm safety assessments
• Equipment modification for aging farmers and ranchers
• Estate planning for family agricultural operations
• Drought assistance and crop failure support services
• Seasonal worker support and migrant farmworker assistance
• Water rights and irrigation assistance
• Livestock operation support during health crises

Oil and Gas Industry Seniors

Texas AAAs coordinate with the energy industry to support workers and retirees:

Energy Industry Support:

• Occupational health screening for oil field workers
• Workers’ compensation navigation and appeal assistance
• Boom town housing and community support
• Environmental health assessment and remediation
• Shift work schedule accommodation for family caregivers
• Specialized transportation for remote work locations

Veteran Seniors

Texas has over 1.7 million veterans, many living in rural areas far from VA facilities.

Veteran-Specific Services:

• Transportation to VA facilities in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and other major cities
• Coordination with oil field and agricultural work schedules
• VA disability benefits applications with emphasis on Agent Orange exposure
• Honor guard coordination for military funeral services
• PTSD support groups culturally adapted for Texas communities
• Rural veteran outreach through American Legion and VFW partnerships

Key Resources:

• Texas Veterans Commission: 1-800-252-8387
• Veterans County Service Officers in all 254 counties
• VA North Texas Health Care System (Dallas): 214-742-8387
• VA South Texas Health Care System (San Antonio): 210-617-5300
• Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 (Press 1)

Native American Seniors

Texas is home to three federally recognized tribes and numerous historic tribal communities:

Alabama-Coushatta Tribe:

• Tribal elder services through the Social Services Department
• Traditional healing and cultural programming
• Contact: 936-563-1100

Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas:

• Elder support services through tribal government
• Cultural preservation and language programs
• Contact: 830-773-2105

Ysleta del Sur Pueblo:

• Elder care services through the tribe’s Social Services
• Traditional cultural activities and spiritual care
• Contact: 915-859-7913

Urban Native Communities:

• American Indian Center of Texas (Houston): 713-626-2486
• Dallas Inter-Tribal Center: 214-941-4300
• Native American cultural programming and elder services

How to Access Services

Step 1: Call the Statewide Number

Dial 1-800-252-9240 from anywhere in Texas. This toll-free number connects you to your local AAA based on your county of residence. The line operates during business hours Monday-Friday, with voicemail available for after-hours calls.

Step 2: Initial Screening

Texas AAA staff will ask basic questions about:

• Your county of residence and specific location (important for rural areas)
• Type of assistance you’re seeking
• Language preference (English, Spanish, or other)
• Current living situation and family support
• Transportation needs and distance to services
• Emergency needs including weather-related concerns
• Insurance coverage including Medicare and Medicaid status

This initial conversation typically takes 15-20 minutes and helps staff understand how to best assist you within Texas’s diverse service environment.

Step 3: Assessment (If Needed)

For ongoing services, you may need a detailed assessment that considers Texas-specific factors:

• Over the phone for simple information and referral services
• In person at AAA offices (many offer drive-through services for heat safety)
• In your home with staff who can travel long distances to rural areas
• Via video conference for remote ranch locations with internet access

Assessments evaluate your:

• Physical abilities considering heat-related health concerns
• Emergency preparedness for hurricanes, tornadoes, and extreme weather
• Transportation needs across vast distances
• Family support including cross-border family connections
• Cultural preferences and language needs
• Financial resources and benefit coordination

Step 4: Service Planning

Based on your assessment, Texas AAA staff will:

• Explain available services with consideration for cultural preferences
• Help apply for relevant benefits including state and federal programs
• Develop service plans including hurricane evacuation protocols
• Make referrals considering travel distances and cultural appropriateness
• Schedule ongoing services with flexibility for weather disruptions

Step 5: Follow-Up

Texas AAAs provide ongoing support through:

• Regular check-ins with case managers who understand local conditions
• Seasonal service adjustments for hurricane and tornado seasons
• Annual reassessments for waiver programs
• Emergency response coordination during natural disasters
• Advocacy when service problems arise

Costs and Financial Assistance

Free Services

These services are available at no cost to eligible participants:

• Information and assistance including bilingual services
• Benefits counseling for Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and veterans benefits
• Legal consultations and document preparation
• Case management and care coordination
• Family caregiver support and emergency assistance

Donation-Based Services

These services operate on suggested donations with no one denied for inability to pay:

• Congregate meals ($3-6 suggested donation)
• Transportation ($2-10 suggested donation depending on distance)
• Home-delivered meals ($3-7 suggested donation per meal)

Income-Based Services

Some services use sliding fee scales based on income:

• In-home care services through waiver programs
• Adult day programs with extended transportation
• Respite care services
• Home modifications and safety equipment

Insurance and Medicaid Coverage

Many services can be covered by:

• Texas Medicaid including STAR+PLUS waiver programs
• Medicare for medically necessary services
• Veterans benefits through Texas Veterans Commission
• Private insurance including oil field and agricultural worker benefits
• State programs including Texas Indigent Health Care

Financial Reality: Even free services have limited funding across Texas’s vast geography. This means:

• Transportation costs are higher due to long distances
• Service delivery may be affected during hurricane and tornado seasons
• Rural areas may have longer wait times for services
• Donations help programs serve more people across greater distances

Quality and Accountability

Program Standards

All Texas AAAs must meet federal and state standards including:

• Bilingual staff and materials in appropriate service areas
• Emergency preparedness for hurricanes, tornadoes, and extreme heat
• Cultural competency training for diverse Texas populations
• Service delivery standards adapted to rural and urban environments
• Transportation safety standards for long-distance rural service

Oversight and Monitoring

Texas AAAs are monitored by:

• The Texas Health and Human Services Commission
• Federal Administration for Community Living
• Independent auditors with experience in Texas service delivery
• Consumer advisory councils representing diverse communities
• Local governing boards with rural and urban representation

Complaint Process

If you have concerns about services in Texas:

1. Contact your service provider first – Many issues can be resolved quickly, considering cultural and geographic factors
2. Call the AAA director – Each AAA has complaint procedures adapted to Texas service delivery
3. Contact Texas Health and Human Services – 1-800-252-9240 for state-level review
4. Call the Long-Term Care Ombudsman – Available through your local AAA for nursing home and assisted living concerns

Your Rights

As a service recipient in Texas, you have the right to:

• Receive services in your preferred language when possible
• Have cultural and religious preferences respected
• Receive emergency services during natural disasters
• Participate in decisions about your care and service delivery
• File complaints without fear of service reduction or retaliation
• Receive services that meet professional standards adapted to Texas conditions

Resources by Region

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do services work during hurricane season and other severe weather in Texas?

Texas AAAs maintain comprehensive emergency protocols for hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, and extreme heat. Emergency services include evacuation transportation, emergency shelter coordination, emergency food and medication delivery, and post-disaster recovery assistance. Many AAAs participate in county emergency management and have agreements with the Red Cross and other disaster response organizations.

Can I get services if I’m a seasonal resident or “Winter Texan”?

Yes, seasonal residents can access AAA information, assistance, and emergency services while in Texas. However, ongoing case management and waiver services typically require permanent Texas residency. Many AAAs along the Mexican border and in the Rio Grande Valley have special programs for Winter Texans and seasonal residents.

What if I don’t speak English well and need services in Spanish?

Most Texas AAAs provide bilingual services in Spanish, with staff or contracted interpreters available. Materials are often available in Spanish, and culturally appropriate services are provided. Some AAAs also provide services in other languages based on local community needs. Language barriers are never a reason to deny services.

How do AAAs help families that are separated by the US-Mexico border?

Border area AAAs coordinate with Mexican social services, help with cross-border family communication, assist with legal documentation for family visits, provide transportation for cross-border medical care, and connect families with immigration legal assistance. Many staff members understand the unique challenges of border families.

Do services accommodate the needs of oil field workers and their families?

Yes, Texas AAAs coordinate with the oil and gas industry to provide flexible services around shift schedules, transportation to remote work locations, occupational health support, workers’ compensation assistance, and emergency services during boom town rapid growth periods. Many AAAs in West Texas specialize in energy industry worker support.

What about services for ranch and farm families in remote rural areas?

Texas AAAs provide specialized rural services including long-distance transportation to medical appointments, coordination with ranch managers for service delivery, agricultural estate planning assistance, emergency services during calving and harvest seasons, and safety assessments for farming equipment modification. Service delivery may require advance scheduling due to distances.

How do AAAs coordinate with the unique needs of different cultural communities in Texas?

Texas AAAs provide culturally competent services including bilingual staff, culturally appropriate nutrition programs, faith-based partnerships, traditional healing integration where appropriate, cultural celebration programming, and family-centered care that respects different cultural approaches to elder care and decision-making.

Can services help with immigration and citizenship issues for senior immigrants?

AAAs can provide information and referrals for immigration legal assistance, help with citizenship applications, connect seniors with English as a Second Language (ESL) programs, assist with document translation services, and coordinate with immigration legal aid organizations. However, AAAs do not provide direct immigration legal representation.

What if I live in a small town hours away from major medical centers?

Texas AAAs coordinate long-distance medical transportation, help group appointments to minimize travel, provide overnight accommodation assistance for medical trips, coordinate with telemedicine services when available, and work with major medical centers in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin to provide specialized rural outreach services.

How do AAAs help during Texas’s extreme summer heat emergencies?

AAAs provide cooling center information and transportation, emergency air conditioning assistance, heat emergency prevention education, emergency hydration and meal delivery, health monitoring for heat-sensitive seniors, and coordination with utility companies for priority electrical service restoration during power outages affecting medical equipment.

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Disclaimer

Program details, contact information, and services can change without advance notice due to weather emergencies, funding changes, and state policy modifications. While this guide uses the most current available information as of January 2026, we strongly recommend verifying all details directly with the relevant Area Agency on Aging before making decisions or applying for services.

This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional legal, medical, or financial advice. Always consult with qualified professionals for advice specific to your situation, particularly regarding immigration status, cross-border healthcare, and Texas-specific regulations.

For the most current information, contact:

• Texas AAA Statewide Hotline: 1-800-252-9240
• Texas Health and Human Services Commission: 1-877-541-7905
• Your local Area Agency on Aging

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About This Guide

Researched and Compiled by Grants for Seniors

This guide has been meticulously researched using verified government sources and official program documentation. Our team systematically reviews federal and state aging program information to create accurate, comprehensive resources for older Americans seeking support services and financial assistance.

Information Sources: All content is sourced from official government websites including the Utah Division of Aging & Adult Services, Utah Department of Health and Human Services, federal aging administration sites, and verified Area Agency on Aging documentation.

Verification Process: Each program listing undergoes thorough verification through cross-referencing multiple official sources, confirming current program status, verifying contact information and eligibility requirements, and checking service availability.

Currency and Updates:

• Last Updated: January 2026
• Sources Verified: January 2026
• Next Scheduled Review: April 2026

Important Note: Government programs and contact information can change rapidly. While this guide uses the most current available information, we strongly recommend confirming all details directly with program administrators before applying for services.

Report Errors or Updates: If you discover outdated information or know of additional programs that should be included, please contact us at info@grantsforseniors.org.

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This resource is independently researched to help seniors access available support services and benefits programs.