Written & Reviewed by
Last updated: May 29, 2026
Checked through May 29, 2026. Texas aging programs, senior center schedules, phone numbers, transportation rules, lunch programs, and local coverage can change. Always confirm details with the official office before you apply, visit, or share private information.
Bottom line: Texas has 28 Area Agencies on Aging, often called AAAs. They help Texans age 60 and older, family caregivers, and many people who need local aging services. AAAs can help you find meals, Medicare counseling, caregiver support, benefits help, legal help, transportation options, in-home support, long-term care contacts, and nearby senior centers. They do not hand out cash grants. The best first step is to call the statewide aging line at 1-800-252-9240 or use the official AAA directory to find your local office.
Quick help in Texas
| If you need help with… | Start here | What to ask for |
|---|---|---|
| Your local aging office | Call 1-800-252-9240 or search the official directory. | Ask for the Area Agency on Aging that serves your county. |
| Meals, rides, caregiver help, or Medicare counseling | Call your local AAA. | Ask if intake is open and what papers you need. |
| A senior center near you | Ask your AAA, city parks office, county senior services office, or 2-1-1. | Ask about meals, classes, rides, fees, accessibility, and membership rules. |
| Food, rent, utility, or crisis help today | Call 2-1-1 Texas or 1-877-541-7905. | Ask for local help by ZIP code and deadline. |
| Long-term care or disability services | Call 1-855-937-2372. | Ask for Aging and Disability Resource Center help. |
| Broader state benefits | Keep our Texas benefits guide open. | Use it to prepare questions before you call. |
Contents
- Emergency help first
- What a Texas AAA does
- Key Texas senior facts
- Find your Texas AAA
- How to find senior centers
- Main AAA services
- Programs often connected
- How to call
- If you get stuck
- Common mistakes
- FAQ
Emergency help first
If someone is in danger now, call 911. Do not wait for an aging office or senior center to open.
| Problem | What to do first | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Food, shelter, bills, or local crisis help | Call 2-1-1 Texas or 1-877-541-7905. | 2-1-1 can route you by ZIP code. |
| Abuse, neglect, or exploitation | Call 1-800-252-5400 or use the state report abuse page. | The Texas Abuse Hotline is open 24 hours a day. |
| Mental health crisis | Call or text 988, or use the 988 Lifeline if online chat is safer. | It is open for crisis support. |
| Nursing home or assisted living concern | Call 1-800-252-2412 or contact the ombudsman office for help. | The ombudsman helps protect resident rights. |
| Complaint about a licensed care facility | Call 1-800-458-9858 or use Complaint Intake. | HHSC handles many regulated facility complaints. |
| Long-term care or disability services | Call 1-855-937-2372, also called the ADRC number. | ADRCs help older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers. |
If your need is urgent but not a 911 emergency, call 2-1-1 and your local AAA on the same day. If you are facing eviction, a shutoff, no food, or unsafe housing, use our Texas emergency guide before you make more calls.
What a Texas Area Agency on Aging does
An Area Agency on Aging is a local planning and service office for older adults. In Texas, AAAs are tied to regional councils of governments, counties, or large local service areas. Texas Health and Human Services lists the official local offices in the AAA directory, where you can search by agency, county, city, or ZIP code.
What it helps with: A Texas AAA can help you understand local services. Common help includes information and referral, benefits counseling, caregiver support, nutrition programs, home-delivered meals, care coordination, legal awareness, transportation referrals, senior center referrals, and long-term care ombudsman help. The state aging page also points older Texans and caregivers to 1-800-252-9240 for AAA services.
Who may qualify: Many AAA programs focus on people age 60 or older. Some services also help family caregivers, grandparents raising grandchildren, and people with disabilities through partner programs. Some help is open to many older adults. Other help may be limited by income, need, risk, local funding, or waitlists.
Where to apply: Start with your local AAA, the statewide aging line at 1-800-252-9240, or the official AAA program page from Texas HHS. For home-care questions, our home care guide can help you compare AAA referrals with Medicaid and private-pay paths.
Reality check: AAAs are not cash offices. They may connect you to a meal program, counseling, legal help, a senior center, or a local provider. Rides, meals, respite, in-home services, and center programs may not be open in every county at the time you call.
Key Texas senior facts
Texas is large, fast-growing, and very local. A senior in El Paso, Dallas, Houston, Lubbock, Brownsville, or a rural county may be served by a different AAA, transit system, housing office, Medicaid plan, and meal provider.
| Texas fact | Latest official figure checked | Why seniors should care |
|---|---|---|
| Total state population | 31,709,821 estimated on July 1, 2025 | High demand can mean busy phone lines. |
| Age 65 and older | 13.9% of the state population | More older adults means more need for local help. |
| Veterans | 1,402,357 veterans, 2020-2024 | Many older Texans may also need veteran support. |
| People in poverty | 13.4%, 2020-2024 | Food, rent, medical, and utility help may be important. |
The figures above come from Census QuickFacts. Use them as background only. Your real next step depends on your county, health needs, income, housing status, and the programs that still have funds.
Find your Texas AAA
The official HHSC directory is the safest place to check current phone numbers, agency websites, and county coverage. Use the table below for quick routing, then confirm details with the official directory before you visit an office.
| Area Agency on Aging | Main phone | Counties served |
|---|---|---|
| Alamo AAA | 866-231-4922 | Atascosa, Bandera, Comal, Frio, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, McMullen, Medina, Wilson |
| Ark-Tex AAA | 903-832-8636 | Bowie, Cass, Delta, Franklin, Hopkins, Lamar, Morris, Red River, Titus |
| Bexar County AAA | 210-477-3275 | Bexar |
| Brazos Valley AAA | 979-595-2806 Ext. 5 | Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Leon, Madison, Robertson, Washington |
| Capital Area AAA | 512-916-6054 | Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Hays, Lee, Llano, Travis, Williamson |
| Central Texas AAA | 254-770-2345 | Bell, Coryell, Hamilton, Lampasas, Milam, Mills, San Saba |
| Coastal Bend AAA | 361-883-3935 | Aransas, Bee, Brooks, Duval, Jim Wells, Kenedy, Kleberg, Live Oak, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio |
| Concho Valley AAA | 325-223-5704 | Coke, Concho, Crockett, Edwards, Irion, Kimble, Mason, McCulloch, Menard, Reagan, Schleicher, Sterling, Sutton, Tom Green |
| Dallas County AAA | 214-871-5065 | Dallas |
| Deep East Texas AAA | 409-384-7614 | Angelina, Houston, Nacogdoches, Newton, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Trinity, Tyler |
| East Texas AAA | 903-218-6500 | Anderson, Camp, Cherokee, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Marion, Panola, Rains, Rusk, Smith, Upshur, Van Zandt, Wood |
| Golden Crescent AAA | 361-578-1587 Ext. 217 | Calhoun, DeWitt, Goliad, Gonzales, Jackson, Lavaca, Victoria |
| Harris County AAA | 832-393-4301 | Harris |
| Heart of Texas AAA | 254-292-1800 | Bosque, Falls, Freestone, Hill, Limestone, McLennan |
| Houston-Galveston AAA | 713-627-3200 | Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Walker, Waller, Wharton |
| Lower Rio Grande Valley AAA | 956-682-3481 Ext. 412 | Cameron, Hidalgo, Willacy |
| Middle Rio Grande AAA | 830-757-6122 | Dimmit, Kinney, Maverick, Real, Uvalde, Val Verde, Zavala |
| North Central Texas AAA | 800-272-3921 | Collin, Denton, Ellis, Erath, Hood, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman, Navarro, Palo Pinto, Parker, Rockwall, Somervell, Wise |
| North Texas AAA | 940-322-5281 | Archer, Baylor, Clay, Cottle, Foard, Hardeman, Jack, Montague, Wichita, Wilbarger, Young |
| Panhandle AAA | 806-331-2227 | Armstrong, Briscoe, Carson, Castro, Childress, Collingsworth, Dallam, Deaf Smith, Donley, Gray, Hall, Hansford, Hartley, Hemphill, Hutchinson, Lipscomb, Moore, Ochiltree, Oldham, Parmer, Potter, Randall, Roberts, Sherman, Swisher, Wheeler |
| Permian Basin AAA | 432-563-1061 | Andrews, Borden, Crane, Dawson, Ector, Gaines, Glasscock, Howard, Loving, Martin, Midland, Pecos, Reeves, Terrell, Upton, Ward, Winkler |
| Rio Grande AAA | 915-533-0998 | Brewster, Culberson, El Paso, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Presidio |
| South East Texas AAA | 409-924-3381 | Hardin, Jasper, Jefferson, Orange |
| South Plains AAA | 806-687-0940 | Bailey, Cochran, Crosby, Dickens, Floyd, Garza, Hale, Hockley, King, Lamb, Lubbock, Lynn, Motley, Terry, Yoakum |
| South Texas AAA | 956-722-3995 | Jim Hogg, Starr, Webb, Zapata |
| Tarrant County AAA | 817-258-8102 | Tarrant |
| Texoma AAA | 903-813-3578 | Cooke, Fannin, Grayson |
| West Central Texas AAA | 325-672-8544 | Brown, Callahan, Coleman, Comanche, Eastland, Fisher, Haskell, Jones, Kent, Knox, Mitchell, Nolan, Runnels, Scurry, Shackelford, Stephens, Stonewall, Taylor, Throckmorton |
How to find senior centers in Texas
Many readers land here because they were looking for senior centers in Texas. That is a good reason to call your AAA. AAAs often know which nearby centers offer lunch, transportation, caregiver support, benefits counseling, exercise, classes, and social activities.
Senior centers are not all run the same way. Some are city recreation centers. Some are county senior service sites. Some are meal sites. Some are multipurpose centers tied to an AAA or a nonprofit partner. The national Eldercare Locator can also help you find local aging services if you do not know where to start.
Best search path: Call your AAA first, then check your city parks department, county senior services office, public library, and 2-1-1. Ask whether the center is open to nonresidents, whether a membership is needed, and whether the lunch program has a separate intake.
| Verified center or program | City or county | Official phone | Official link | What it may help with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bob Ross Senior Center | San Antonio | 210-207-5300 | Bob Ross page | Daily lunch, transportation for eligible seniors within a 5-mile radius, exercise, arts, games, wellness, and education. |
| Lamar Senior Activity Center | Austin | 512-978-2480 | Lamar page | Classes, health and wellness programs, seminars, workshops, trips, dances, volunteer options, and support groups. |
| Eastside Senior Center | El Paso | 915-212-0411 | El Paso page | Senior center programs, senior games, classes, events, and access to Sun Metro route information. |
| Sam Johnson Recreation Center | Plano | 972-941-7155 | Plano page | Adults 50+ recreation, cardio and weight room, wellness center, café, billiards, bingo, dances, and social activities. |
| Oveal Williams Senior Center | Corpus Christi | 361-826-2305 | Corpus Christi page | One of eight city senior centers for people over 50, with social, recreational, and health-focused programs. |
| Lubbock Adult Activity Center | Lubbock | 806-767-2710 | Lubbock page | Grant-funded weekday lunch, adult and senior classes, activities, programs, and free fitness equipment area. |
| Maggie Trejo Supercenter | Lubbock | 806-775-2660 | Maggie Trejo page | Senior citizen program, weekday lunch, leisure classes, free fitness area, and community center space. |
| Northside Community Center | Fort Worth | 817-392-5992 | Northside page | Best Years Club programs, lunch, fitness and education activities, bilingual staff, and Community Action Partners access. |
| Nessler Senior Center | Texas City | 409-643-5877 | Nessler page | Activities, health screenings, presentations, lunch for seniors 60+, and local transportation for eligible participants. |
| Sherman Senior Center | Sherman | 903-892-7316 | Sherman page | Activities, classes, health and wellness programs, social time, and dining room lunch through Meals on Wheels of Texoma. |
Reality check: A senior center listed here may have separate rules for meals, membership, city residency, transportation, fees, class registration, and accessibility help. Always call before visiting. If a center is not near you, your local AAA or 2-1-1 can help you look by ZIP code.
Main AAA services to ask about
Meals and nutrition help
What it helps with: AAAs may connect older adults to congregate meals, home-delivered meals, nutrition education, and local meal sites. Texas also has a meal program that may serve eligible adults age 18 or older when they meet program rules.
Who may qualify: Older Americans Act meals usually focus on people age 60 or older. Home-delivered meals often require a person to be homebound, frail, isolated, or unable to prepare meals safely. Local programs may use waitlists when demand is high.
Where to apply: Call your AAA and ask for nutrition intake. You can also write down your food questions before you call.
Reality check: A meal program may not start the same week. If food is needed today, call 2-1-1 and ask for food pantries, senior boxes, and home delivery options.
Medicare counseling and benefits help
What it helps with: Texas HICAP gives free, unbiased Medicare counseling through AAAs and partners. It can help with Medicare choices, plan questions, Extra Help, Medicare Savings Programs, and billing problems.
Who may qualify: Texans with Medicare, people close to Medicare age, caregivers, and family helpers can ask for counseling. It is not insurance sales.
Where to apply: Call your AAA or use the Texas HICAP page for counseling information. Our Texas MSP guide can help you understand premium-help terms before the call.
Reality check: Medicare plan details can change each year. Bring your Medicare card, drug list, doctors, pharmacy, and current plan notices before a counseling visit.
Caregiver support and respite
What it helps with: Caregiver services may include education, support groups, respite referrals, counseling, and help finding local care options. Grandparents raising grandchildren may also be able to ask about support.
Who may qualify: Rules depend on the caregiver, the person receiving care, age, need, and local funds. Some respite help is limited to caregivers with the highest need.
Where to apply: Call your AAA and ask for caregiver support intake. If you are trying to understand paid-care options, use our caregiver pay guide along with the AAA call.
Reality check: Caregiver programs do not always pay a family member. Some help is training, counseling, short-term respite, or a referral to Medicaid options.
Legal help and resident rights
What it helps with: AAAs may connect older adults to legal awareness, referrals, benefits help, and the long-term care ombudsman. The ombudsman helps people who live in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
Who may qualify: Older Texans, long-term care residents, family members, and concerned helpers can ask where to start. Some legal services use income or issue-based rules.
Where to apply: Call your AAA for legal referrals. The Texas Legal Services Center Legal Hotline also serves many Texans age 60 and older by phone.
Reality check: Phone legal help may give advice but may not go to court for you. If there is abuse, danger, theft, or eviction, report it right away and ask about urgent legal aid.
Programs often connected to AAA calls
SNAP and TSAP food benefits
What it helps with: SNAP helps people buy food. The Texas Simplified Application Project, called TSAP, is a simpler SNAP path for households where all members are older adults age 60 or older or people with disabilities.
Who may qualify: SNAP and TSAP look at household facts, income, and program rules. Some medical costs may matter for older adults, so keep receipts and premium notices.
Where to apply: Use Your Texas Benefits, the state SNAP page, or the TSAP page. Our Texas SNAP guide can help you prepare.
Reality check: AAAs may explain where to apply, but HHSC handles SNAP eligibility. If food is needed now, call 2-1-1 while the application is pending.
Medicaid, STAR+PLUS, and home care
What it helps with: Medicaid may help with medical care, Medicare premium help, nursing facility care, and long-term services. STAR+PLUS is a Texas Medicaid managed care program for adults age 65 or older and adults with disabilities. It can include long-term services and supports for people who qualify.
Who may qualify: Eligibility depends on age, disability, Medicare status, income, resources, medical need, and functional need. Home and community-based services can have interest lists and assessments.
Where to apply: For Medicaid for older adults and Medicare Savings Programs, ask about Form H1200. For disability-focused local help, our Texas disability guide can help you compare routes.
Reality check: Medicaid home care is not the same as full-time free care. A person may need an assessment, a managed care plan, a provider, and an open service slot.
Housing, utility bills, and property tax
What it helps with: Your AAA may refer you to local housing offices, 2-1-1, utility programs, weatherization help, legal aid, or your county appraisal district. For homeowners age 65 or older, Texas property tax rules can include extra homestead relief and tax deferral options.
Who may qualify: Housing and utility help usually depends on income, household size, address, bill status, funding, and local waitlists. Property tax help depends on homestead status, age or disability, and appraisal district rules.
Where to apply: For rent and housing, start with the local housing office and our Texas housing guide. For electric, gas, or water problems, use our utility help guide with 2-1-1. For tax relief, the Comptroller tax exemptions page explains property tax exemption basics, and our property tax guide can help you prepare.
Reality check: AAAs may not control rent, utility, or tax programs. They can help you find the right office, but the housing authority, utility partner, or appraisal district usually makes the decision.
How to call without wasting time
Before calling, write down your county, ZIP code, age, main problem, and deadline. If you are helping a parent or neighbor, ask whether the office needs permission to speak with you.
- Say the county first. Many Texas programs are county-based.
- Ask if there is an intake form, waitlist, or callback time.
- Write down the staff name, date, phone number, and next step.
- Ask what documents are needed before an appointment.
- Call back if your address, phone number, income, or health need changes.
Have these items nearby if you can: photo ID, Medicare card, Medicaid or SNAP notices, Social Security award letter, pension proof, rent or mortgage papers, utility bills, tax bill, medical bills, doctor list, medicine list, and any shutoff, eviction, or denial letter.
If transportation is the main problem, ask your AAA, city transit office, and local senior center. Our transportation guide can help you list possible ride options before you call.
Phone scripts you can use
Calling the Texas aging line: “Hello, I am calling for an older adult in [county] County, ZIP code [ZIP]. The main need is [meals, Medicare help, rides, caregiver help, home care, senior center, or bills]. Which Area Agency on Aging should we contact, and is there an intake number?”
Calling a local AAA: “Hello, my name is [name]. I am [age] and live in [city or county]. I need help with [problem]. Can you tell me which services are open, who may qualify, and what papers I should have ready?”
Calling a senior center: “Hello, I am looking for senior center programs near [ZIP code]. Do you offer lunch, classes, rides, exercise, benefits counseling, or caregiver support? Do I need to register before I come?”
Calling about home care: “Hello, I am calling about a person who needs help with bathing, meals, dressing, moving safely, or daily care. Should we contact ADRC, STAR+PLUS, Community First Choice, or another program first?”
What to do if you are denied, delayed, or overwhelmed
If you called and got stuck, do not start over from scratch. Use the notes you wrote down and ask for the next step.
- Ask whether the program is closed, full, or waiting for documents.
- Ask if there is a supervisor, intake worker, benefits counselor, or another office to try.
- Ask if the denial has appeal rights or a written notice.
- Call 2-1-1 if the need is urgent and the AAA callback is slow.
- Call ADRC if the issue involves disability services or long-term care.
- Ask a senior center whether it has social workers, benefits days, meal intake, or partner agencies on site.
For older veterans or surviving spouses, also check local veteran help. Our Texas veteran guide can help you find veteran-specific offices and support.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Calling only one office: If the need is urgent, call 2-1-1, your AAA, and the program office that controls the benefit.
- Using the wrong county: Texas AAA boundaries do not always match the nearest large city.
- Expecting cash: AAA help is usually a service, referral, counseling, meal, senior center connection, or local program link.
- Assuming every senior center is free: Some centers have memberships, class fees, meal intake rules, city-resident rules, or transportation limits.
- Waiting too long: Meal routes, home care, housing, utility help, and rides may have waitlists or funding limits.
- Not saving proof: Keep copies of applications, benefit letters, medical bills, tax bills, and shutoff notices.
Resumen en español
Texas tiene 28 Agencias del Área para Personas Mayores. Estas oficinas ayudan a muchas personas de 60 años o más, cuidadores y familias a encontrar comidas, ayuda con Medicare, apoyo para cuidadores, información sobre beneficios, servicios en el hogar, centros para personas mayores y contactos de cuidado a largo plazo. Para encontrar su oficina local, llame al 1-800-252-9240 o revise el buscador de servicios de Texas.
Si hay peligro, llame al 911. Para comida, renta, servicios públicos o ayuda local urgente, llame al 2-1-1 o use el chat en español de 2-1-1 Texas. Si necesita servicios de cuidado a largo plazo, ayuda para una discapacidad o apoyo para un cuidador, la página de ADRC en español explica el 1-855-937-2372.
Si busca un centro para personas mayores, llame primero a su AAA local, a la ciudad, al condado o al 2-1-1. Pregunte si hay comidas, transporte, clases, ejercicio, ayuda con beneficios, costo de membresía y reglas para registrarse.
FAQ
How do I find my Texas Area Agency on Aging?
Call 1-800-252-9240 or use the official Texas AAA directory. You can search by county, city, ZIP code, or agency name.
Can an AAA help me find a senior center in Texas?
Yes. Your AAA can often point you to nearby senior centers, meal sites, transportation programs, caregiver support, and benefits counseling in your county.
Do Texas Area Agencies on Aging give cash grants?
No. AAAs usually help with services, referrals, counseling, meals, caregiver support, senior center connections, and local program referrals. They are not cash offices.
Who can use AAA services in Texas?
Many services focus on Texans age 60 or older. Some help may also be available for caregivers, grandparents raising grandchildren, people with disabilities, and families looking for long-term care options.
Can an AAA help with Medicare questions?
Yes. Texas HICAP offers free Medicare counseling through Area Agencies on Aging and partners. It can help with plan questions, Extra Help, Medicare Savings Programs, and billing issues.
Can an AAA help me get meals at home?
Maybe. AAAs can connect older adults to nutrition programs and home-delivered meal intake. Eligibility, routes, and waitlists vary by county and funding.
What should I ask before visiting a senior center?
Ask about age rules, city or county residency, membership fees, meal registration, transportation, accessibility, class costs, and whether you need to sign up before your first visit.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
Editorial note: This guide is produced based on our Editorial Standards using official and other high-trust sources, regularly updated and monitored, but not affiliated with any government agency and not a substitute for official agency guidance. Individual eligibility outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
Verification: Last verified May 29, 2026, next review August 29, 2026.
Corrections: Please note that despite our careful verification process, errors may still occur. Email info@grantsforseniors.org with corrections and we will respond within 72 hours.
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, and availability can change. Readers should confirm current details directly with the official program before acting.
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