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Last updated: 7 May 2026
Bottom line: Disabled seniors in Texas should start with the office that matches the need. For care at home, call the Texas Aging and Disability Resource Center line at 855-937-2372. For Medicaid, SNAP, or Medicare cost help, use Your Texas Benefits. For ramps, home changes, utility help, or local housing aid, use Help for Texans. If you are not sure where to start, dial 2-1-1 and ask for disability help in your county.
This is not a general senior benefits page. See our Texas senior guide. It focuses on disability help.
Contents
- Urgent help
- Fast start
- Care at home
- Health costs
- Home access
- Equipment help
- Rides and parking
- Food and bills
- Legal rights
- How to start
- FAQ
Urgent help in Texas
Call 9-1-1 first if there is danger, chest pain, trouble breathing, a serious fall, or a missing person. Tell the operator about oxygen, a wheelchair, hearing loss, dementia, or a service animal.
| Problem | Call or contact | What to say |
|---|---|---|
| Abuse, neglect, or exploitation at home | 1-800-252-5400 | Report suspected abuse to Adult Protective Services. Use 9-1-1 if someone is in immediate danger. |
| Mental health crisis | Call or text 988 | Ask for crisis help now. The 988 Lifeline is open day and night. |
| Nursing home or assisted living complaint | 1-800-252-2412 | Ask for the local Texas Ombudsman. This is for resident rights and care concerns. |
| Local food, shelter, rides, or bills | Dial 2-1-1 | Ask 2-1-1 Texas for disability-friendly help in your ZIP code. |
| Licensed facility complaint | 1-800-458-9858 | Use DFPS report guidance to check if the report should go to HHS Complaint and Incident Intake. |
Fast start: choose the right first door
The right helper may change by county, city, Medicaid plan, or housing provider. Use this table to avoid random calls.
| If the main need is | Start here | Ask for this |
|---|---|---|
| Help bathing, dressing, cooking, or staying safe at home | Texas ADRC | Options counseling, STAR+PLUS, home care, respite, and interest-list steps. |
| Medicaid, SNAP, or Medicare cost help | Your Texas Benefits | A screening for Medicaid for older adults, SNAP, and Medicare Savings Programs. |
| Ramps, wider doors, bathroom safety, or home hazards | Help for Texans | The local provider for Amy Young Barrier Removal, repair, weatherization, or utility help. |
| Wheelchairs, devices, vision help, or reuse equipment | Texas Technology Access | Device loans, demonstrations, reuse options, and local assistive technology contacts. |
| Disability rights, discrimination, denial, or access problem | Disability Rights Texas | Free intake for disability-rights help. Call 1-800-252-9108. |
If you are age 60 or older, your Area Agency on Aging can help with benefits counseling, caregiver support, meals, and referrals. Use our Texas AAA guide for county contacts.
Help with care at home
For many disabled seniors, the biggest question is, “Can I get help at home?” Start with the ADRC finder or call 855-937-2372. ADRCs serve older adults and people with disabilities in all Texas counties.
What to ask: Say, “I need help staying at home because of a disability. Can you screen me for STAR+PLUS, attendant care, respite, and interest lists?” Name the exact tasks, such as bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, cooking, or moving safely.
STAR+PLUS is a Texas Medicaid managed care program for adults with disabilities and adults age 65 or older who meet Medicaid rules. It may include in-home help and home changes.
STAR+PLUS HCBS may offer more help for people who meet medical and financial rules. It can have an interest list. Ask the ADRC how to get on it. If you already have Medicaid, call your health plan and ask for a service coordinator.
The CAS program is a medically related personal care service for eligible people whose health problems limit daily living activities. A practitioner statement is part of the process.
For a deeper state page on paying for in-home support, use our Texas home care guide, but still call the ADRC first if you need one-on-one screening.
Medicaid, Medicare cost help, and health coverage
Do not start with a program name if you are not sure. Say, “I am an older Texan with a disability. I need help with health costs and care at home.”
| Path | What it may help with | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|
| Medicaid for older adults and people with disabilities | Health coverage, nursing facility care, and some long-term care paths | Apply through Your Texas Benefits or ask HHSC for help. |
| Medicare Savings Program | Medicare premiums and sometimes deductibles or coinsurance | Apply through Your Texas Benefits. Our Texas MSP guide explains the programs. |
| STAR+PLUS | Medicaid managed care and long-term services for many adults with disabilities or age 65+ | Ask HHSC, your Medicaid plan, or the ADRC. |
| Benefits counseling | Help comparing Medicare options and public benefits | Ask your AAA for benefits counseling. Call 1-800-252-9240 for AAA services. |
Start with the state MEPD page if you need the official Medicaid path for older adults or people with disabilities.
Reality check: Long-term care is not approved just because a person is older or has a diagnosis. Texas may check income, resources, status, medical need, and daily care needs. If you get both Medicare and Medicaid, our dual eligible guide can help.
Ramps, safer bathrooms, repairs, and housing access
For a disabled senior, a home repair may be more than a repair. A ramp, grab bar, safe shower, or working cooling system can help a person stay home.
The most disability-specific Texas home change program is the Amy Young program. It can provide one-time grants of up to $22,500 for qualified households with a person with a disability. TDHCA does not take applications directly from individuals. Use Help for Texans to find the administrator.
Ask for the local provider that handles Amy Young Barrier Removal. If that provider has no funds, ask if there is a city, county, nonprofit, or housing repair program for accessibility work. Use our Texas repair guide if the home also needs roof, HVAC, plumbing, or safety work.
If rent is the issue, accessible housing is usually local. A housing authority, apartment manager, city office, or nonprofit may control the application. Our Texas housing guide covers the wider path. Ask for reasonable accommodation if a disability affects the housing need.
What to say: “I have a disability-related need. I need to ask about accessible units, reasonable accommodation, and what proof you require.”
Medical equipment, assistive technology, and vision help
Equipment help can come from Medicaid, Medicare, a health plan, a reuse program, a Center for Independent Living, a nonprofit, or a local DME loan closet. The right path depends on the item and need.
For wheelchairs, walkers, shower chairs, hospital beds, and other used equipment, check local reuse options first. Our Texas equipment guide lists reuse and loan-closet paths.
Texas Technology Access can help Texans with disabilities and aging Texans compare devices. It offers demonstrations, short-term loans, reuse options, and funding information.
Centers for Independent Living may help with skills, peer support, advocacy, and referrals. Use the Texas CIL directory by county or ZIP code. Services vary by center and funding.
If the main disability is vision loss, the Older Individuals who are Blind program helps people age 55 and older with skills, support services, and assistive technology devices. Start with the vision loss page or call 844-633-3642.
If the disability is tied to a traumatic brain injury or traumatic spinal cord injury, ask about CRS services. Texas says Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services helps eligible people with these injuries function more independently at home and in the community.
Rides, paratransit, and disabled parking
Transportation help is local unless the ride is for Medicaid-covered health care. If a person has Medicaid and has no other ride, Texas Medicaid may help through the NEMT program. Covered trips may include a doctor, dentist, hospital, or drug store.
If the person is in STAR+PLUS, call the health plan first. Ask how many days ahead to call and whether wheelchair-accessible rides are available.
For daily trips, check your city or rural transit provider. TxDOT keeps a transit provider list. Ask about paratransit, demand-response rides, disability fares, and wheelchair service.
For parking, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles says people may apply for disability parking placards or plates at a county tax assessor-collector office. The official TxDMV placard page explains Form VTR-214, doctor certification, renewals, fees, and misuse penalties. If you need a broader ride plan, our transportation help guide may help.
Food, utility bills, and household costs
Food and utility help are not disability-only, but disability can change what proof matters.
For SNAP, ask about the Texas Simplified Application Project if everyone in the household is age 60 or older or has a disability. Texas HHS says TSAP food benefits are for households where all members are older adults or people with disabilities. The regular Texas SNAP page also says TSAP can provide three years of benefits at a time instead of six months for eligible households.
When applying for SNAP, list medical costs you pay out of pocket. Our Texas SNAP guide explains the food path in more detail.
For electric or gas bills, the CEAP program runs through local agencies. TDHCA says it helps low-income households with immediate energy needs and cost control. Local providers cover all 254 counties.
For a home that is costly to heat or cool, the Weatherization program may help with energy-saving work. If a disabled senior uses electric medical equipment, call the utility and ask about critical care or chronic condition status. It does not erase the bill, but it may add notice steps.
Our utility bill guide can help before you call.
Property tax relief and disabled veterans
Texas property tax help is handled through the county appraisal district. The Texas Comptroller says the school district residence homestead exemption is $140,000, and people age 65 or older or disabled may qualify for an additional $60,000 school district exemption. The Comptroller exemption page also explains disabled veteran exemptions.
A disabled person must meet the Social Security disability definition for the disabled person homestead exemption. Ask your appraisal district what proof it needs. Our Texas tax guide covers forms, deferrals, and county steps.
Disabled veterans should check the Texas Veterans Commission before paying anyone. The TVC claims office can help with VA claims. Our Texas veterans guide gives the broader path.
Legal rights, abuse help, and disability protection
Call legal help early if there is a denial, eviction notice, lockout, nursing home discharge threat, contractor problem, benefits cut, or disability access issue.
Disability Rights Texas is the protection and advocacy agency for Texans with disabilities. The intake line is 1-800-252-9108, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ask about disability rights, access, discrimination, abuse, neglect, or services.
For civil legal help, TexasLawHelp has information and a legal aid finder. Texans age 60 or older can ask the Legal Hotline for free phone advice. The statewide number is 1-800-622-2520.
Scam warning: Do not pay someone who says they can guarantee Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, SSDI, VA benefits, or a housing voucher. Real government programs do not require gift cards, wire transfers, crypto, or pressure to sign the same day.
Local paths in a large state
Texas help can look different in big cities, border areas, rural counties, and the Panhandle. A state program may fund the help, but a local agency may take the application.
| Where you live | Best local question | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Big city or suburb | “Which city or county office handles disability housing, ramps, and paratransit?” | Large areas may have several agencies with different service maps. |
| Rural county | “Which regional provider covers my county?” | The office may be outside your town but still serve your ZIP code. |
| Border or colonia area | “Is there a colonia or self-help housing office for my address?” | Housing and title help may depend on exact location. |
| Disaster-affected county | “Is any repair or recovery program open for my disaster?” | Flood, storm, and wildfire funds open and close by event and county. |
When one office says no, ask, “Who else serves my county?” If you need urgent local help, our Texas emergency guide may help you find a faster path.
How to start without wasting time
- Write the top three needs, such as “bath help,” “ramp,” “ride,” “food,” “eviction notice,” or “electric shutoff.”
- Call the best first door. For care, call ADRC. For benefits, use Your Texas Benefits. For housing or bills, use Help for Texans.
- Ask for the county-specific office. Texas programs often depend on ZIP code.
- Ask if there is a waitlist or interest list. If yes, ask how to get on it and how to update your phone number.
- Keep a phone log. Write the date, name, agency, phone number, and next step.
- Save every notice. Denial and renewal letters often have deadlines.
Documents and details to keep ready
| Keep this | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Photo ID, Social Security card, Medicare card, Medicaid card | Programs need proof of identity and coverage. |
| Benefit letters, pension statements, pay stubs, bank statements | Income and resource reviews need current proof. |
| Rent, mortgage, property tax, utility, and insurance bills | Housing and bill programs often ask for these. |
| Doctor names, diagnoses, prescriptions, equipment needs, care tasks | Home care and equipment requests need clear medical and daily-life details. |
| Denial letters, renewal notices, envelopes, and case numbers | Appeal rights and deadlines may depend on the notice date. |
Phone scripts you can use
| Who to call | What to say |
|---|---|
| ADRC | “I am an older Texan with a disability. I need help staying at home. Can you screen me for STAR+PLUS, attendant care, respite, and interest lists?” |
| HHSC benefits | “I want to apply for Medicaid, SNAP, and Medicare Savings Program help. What proof do I need, and how do I send it?” |
| Home access provider | “I need a ramp, bathroom change, or safety repair because of a disability. Do you handle Amy Young Barrier Removal or another accessibility program?” |
| Transportation office | “I use a wheelchair or mobility device. Do you have paratransit, demand-response rides, or Medicaid ride help for my ZIP code?” |
Reality checks and common mistakes
- Do not wait to ask about interest lists. Some home and community programs move slowly.
- Do not say only “I need help.” Name the daily tasks that are unsafe or impossible.
- Do not assume a state office takes the application. Many Texas programs use local providers.
- Do not ignore mail from HHSC, a Medicaid plan, housing office, appraisal district, or court.
- Do not leave medical expenses off a SNAP case if you are elderly or disabled.
- Do not assume a property tax deferral forgives the tax. It delays collection and interest can still matter.
- Do not pay for VA, Medicaid, or Social Security promises before checking free help.
If you are denied, delayed, or overwhelmed
Ask for the reason in writing. Then ask for the appeal or complaint deadline. If you missed a document request, ask if the case can be reopened or if you must apply again.
If the delay is with Medicaid or STAR+PLUS, ask for the case number and next action. If you have a Medicaid plan, ask for a service coordinator. For a nursing home or assisted living problem, call the ombudsman. For a legal notice, contact legal help.
If you are overwhelmed, make one call. For care at home, call 855-937-2372. For local food, bills, rides, or shelter, dial 2-1-1. For a notice with a deadline, call legal help first.
Resumen en español
Resumen: Las personas mayores con discapacidad en Texas pueden llamar al 855-937-2372 para ayuda de ADRC. Para Medicaid, SNAP o ayuda con Medicare, use Your Texas Benefits. Para rampas, vivienda o servicios públicos, use Help for Texans o llame al 2-1-1. Si hay abuso o peligro, llame al 9-1-1 o a Adult Protective Services al 1-800-252-5400. Guarde cartas, facturas, pruebas de ingresos y números de caso.
Frequently asked questions
What is the first call for a disabled senior in Texas?
For care at home, call the Texas ADRC line at 855-937-2372. For local food, bills, housing, or rides, dial 2-1-1. For Medicaid, SNAP, or Medicare cost help, use Your Texas Benefits.
Can Texas Medicaid help pay for care at home?
Sometimes. STAR+PLUS, STAR+PLUS HCBS, and Community Attendant Services may help eligible people with daily care at home. You must meet program rules, and some services may have an interest list or plan review.
Where can I ask for a ramp or home accessibility change in Texas?
Start with Help for Texans and ask for the local Amy Young Barrier Removal provider. The program can help qualified households with a person with a disability, but funds and local administrators can change.
Does Texas have food help for disabled seniors?
Yes. SNAP may help with groceries. TSAP may make SNAP easier for households where all members are age 60 or older or people with disabilities.
Who helps with disability rights in Texas?
Disability Rights Texas is the protection and advocacy agency for Texans with disabilities. TexasLawHelp and the Legal Hotline for Texans can also help with many civil legal problems.
Can a disabled homeowner get Texas property tax help?
Yes. A disabled homeowner may qualify for a disabled person homestead exemption if they meet the Social Security disability definition. Disabled veterans may have separate exemptions based on VA disability rules.
About this guide
We check this guide against official government, local agency, and trusted nonprofit sources. GrantsForSeniors.org is independent and is not a government agency.
Program rules, funding, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply.
See something wrong or outdated? Email info@grantsforseniors.org with corrections.
Last updated: 7 May 2026
Next review date: 7 August 2026
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