Benefits · Nutrition

How to apply for Rio Grande Area Agency on Aging — Title III + ADRC Senior Services (El Paso County)

Rio Grande Area Agency on Aging (Rio Grande AAA) — a division of the Rio Grande Council of Governments (RGCOG); designated Area Agency on Aging under the Older Americans Act Title III for a 6-county far West Texas region: El Paso, Hudspeth, Culberson, Jeff Davis, Presidio, and Brewster (covering El Paso, the Trans-Pecos, and Big Bend)

Who it's for

The Rio Grande Area Agency on Aging (Rio Grande AAA) is the federally designated Area Agency on Aging for a 6-county far West Texas region centered on El Paso, operated as a division of the Rio Grande Council of Governments (RGCOG). The Rio Grande AAA covers El Paso, Hudspeth, Culberson, Jeff Davis, Presidio, and Brewster counties — a geographic region encompassing El Paso (a major urban Texas-Mexico border city) plus the Trans-Pecos and Big Bend (some of the most remote and least-populated counties in Texas). This regional COG model is the standard Texas AAA framework, similar to AACOG (Bexar) and CAPCOG (Travis). Services available to age 60+ residents include: (1) Title III congregate meals at El Paso senior centers; (2) home-delivered meals for homebound seniors age 60+; (3) Information, Referral, and Assistance for navigating senior programs; (4) health and wellness programs; (5) care coordination; (6) Benefits Counseling (SHIP/HICAP Medicare counseling); (7) transportation and medical-appointment transportation referrals; (8) home repair referrals; (9) hearing aid programs. The Rio Grande AAA is the principal senior-services gateway for El Paso County's substantial elderly population. Apply by calling 915-533-0998 or visiting the Rio Grande COG main office at 8037 Lockheed Drive, Suite 100, El Paso TX 79925.

Rio Grande AAA's 6-county service area spans dramatically different geographies — El Paso is a major urban Texas-Mexico border city (~700K population), while Brewster (Big Bend), Jeff Davis (Davis Mountains), Presidio, Culberson, and Hudspeth are some of the most remote and least-populated counties in Texas with very different service-delivery challenges. This means Rio Grande AAA infrastructure is sized primarily for El Paso County (where most of the regional senior population lives), with smaller meal site networks in the rural counties. For El Paso seniors specifically, congregate meal sites are available across the county; home-delivered meals reach homebound seniors. For rural El Paso County areas (far East El Paso County, fundamental rural neighborhoods), home-delivered meal delivery may have longer delays than urban areas. Apply through the main Rio Grande COG office at 915-533-0998 for fastest intake. For Trans-Pecos / Big Bend residents (not El Paso County), Rio Grande AAA still applies but service delivery patterns differ.

What you'll need

Proof of age 60+ (Texas driver's license, Texas ID, Medicare card, or birth certificate)
Proof of El Paso County residency (utility bill, lease, or government correspondence)
For home-delivered meals: documentation of homebound status (illness, disability, or isolation)
For congregate meals at Rio Grande AAA-contracted senior centers: ambulatory mobility to attend
For Benefits Counseling SHIP service: Medicare card and current Medicare plan documentation
For other in-home services: case manager assessment + income documentation for sliding-scale sponsorship

Where to apply

Apply online: official application

By phone: 915-533-0998

Renewals

annual reassessment by Rio Grande AAA case manager; meals continue without interruption pending recertification

Official source →Last verified · June 6, 2026

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Not legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.