Benefits · Nutrition
How to apply for Area Agency on Aging of the Lower Rio Grande Valley + Rio-Net ADRC (Hidalgo County)
Area Agency on Aging of the Lower Rio Grande Valley (AAA-LRGV) — a division of the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council (LRGVDC); designated Area Agency on Aging under the Older Americans Act Title III for a 3-county tri-county Lower RGV region: Cameron, Hidalgo, Willacy; supported by the Rio-Net ADRC of the Lower Rio Grande Valley
Who it's for
The Area Agency on Aging of the Lower Rio Grande Valley (AAA-LRGV) is the federally designated Area Agency on Aging for a 3-county region — Cameron, Hidalgo, and Willacy counties — operated as a division of the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council (LRGVDC). LRGVDC was formed under Texas Law in 1967 as one of Texas's 24 regional Councils of Governments. Hidalgo County represents 50% of the AAA's Citizens Advisory Council representation (Cameron 40%, Willacy 10%), reflecting Hidalgo's dominance of the regional senior population. Services are provided LARGELY THROUGH SUBCONTRACTS with various agencies throughout the Valley, including: (1) Title III Congregate Meals at senior centers across Hidalgo County; (2) Home-Delivered Meals for homebound seniors age 60+; (3) Long-Term Care Ombudsman; (4) Respite care; (5) Provider Home Care (PHC) — short-term in-home services; (6) Durable Medical Equipment access; (7) Medical and senior-center transportation referrals (coordinating with Valley Metro and Metro McAllen); (8) Case management; (9) Eyeglass vouchers. The Rio-Net ADRC of the Lower Rio Grande Valley provides comprehensive Information, Referral, and Assistance for older adults, persons with disabilities, family caregivers, and grandparent caregivers across Hidalgo, Cameron, and Willacy. Apply by calling the statewide TX AAA line at 1-855-937-2372 (which routes to Rio-Net for tri-county residents) or emailing Rio-NetADRC@lrgvdc.org. Main office: 301 W. Railroad St., Weslaco TX 78596.
AAA-LRGV's tri-county Lower Rio Grande Valley service area is DISTINCTIVE — the RGV has the highest poverty rate and largest uninsured population of any Texas region. AAA-LRGV operates LARGELY THROUGH SUBCONTRACTS with various Valley agencies rather than direct service delivery — this matters operationally: Hidalgo seniors may be served by different subcontractor organizations depending on which service they need. The 50% Hidalgo / 40% Cameron / 10% Willacy advisory representation reflects population balance; meal sites and service capacity are weighted toward Hidalgo's larger urban areas (McAllen, Edinburg, Pharr, Mission). For RGV seniors needing long-term services beyond AAA-LRGV's short-term offerings, the pathway is STAR+PLUS Medicaid (see state-level tx.star_plus) — the AAA-LRGV ADRC team helps navigate this. Call Rio-Net ADRC at 1-855-937-2372 (statewide TX AAA line routes to the regional AAA).
What you'll need
- Proof of age 60+ (Texas driver's license, Texas ID, Medicare card, or birth certificate)
- Proof of Hidalgo County (or Cameron/Willacy for AAA-LRGV broader service area) residency
- For home-delivered meals: documentation of homebound status
- For congregate meals at AAA-LRGV-contracted senior centers: ambulatory mobility to attend
- For Benefits Counseling SHIP service: Medicare card and current Medicare plan documentation
- For Provider Home Care (PHC) or other in-home services: case manager assessment + income documentation for sliding-scale sponsorship
- For grandparent caregiver services: proof of age 55+ and documentation of kinship caregiving
Where to apply
Apply online: official application
By phone: 1-855-937-2372
Renewals
annual reassessment by AAA-LRGV case manager; meals continue without interruption pending recertification
Not sure if you qualify? Run a free check first.
Find my benefitsNot legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.