Senior benefits in Texas County, Missouri

SeniorAge Area Agency on Aging (Region 1) is the Area Agency on Aging for Texas County. It is the local starting point that connects older adults and caregivers to Senior centers with congregate and home-delivered meals, in-home and caregiver support, long-term care ombudsman, benefits/Medicare counseling, and county senior citizens' tax-board-funded services across 17 southwest and south-central Missouri counties. Most services are for adults 60 and older; adults with disabilities may also qualify for some services. Call 1-800-497-0822 to get started.

Estimated service value: $500–$6,000 a year

Missouri's Energy Assistance and Energy Crisis Intervention programs (LIHEAP) help income-eligible households in Texas County pay heating and cooling bills and resolve utility emergencies. The DSS Family Support Division funds the program, and Ozark Action, Inc. (OAI) takes applications for this county. Winter and summer components run on their own seasons while funds last. Call 1-417-256-6147 to apply.

Estimated bill savings: $300–$1,000 a year

Texas County Memorial Hospital in Houston is the county's hospital. Its Billing & Insurance page says: "To ensure that quality healthcare is available to all patients, TCMH has a Charity Care program to assist the uninsured or underinsured. You may be eligible for this program based on your income and assets." Billing and patient-accounts representatives take questions about billing, payment options or charity care Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., in the TCMH Business Office on the north side of the campus. Call the Billing Department at 417-967-1292 (hospital toll-free 1-866-967-3311) and ask for the Charity Care application.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

In this county: Charity care is based on income and assets under the hospital's own Charity Care program; the hospital makes the final award decision, so this shows as a may-qualify result. TCMH does not publish its income thresholds online, so ask the Billing Department when you request the application. Not legal or financial advice.

Texas County has adopted Missouri's senior property tax credit (SB 190): homeowners 62 or older can freeze the real-estate tax bill on their primary home, so it stops rising in later years. Texas County publishes a senior property tax credit application. 'Tax Credit Application' is a standing top-of-page link on the county homepage pointing at Texas-County-Tax-Credit-Application.pdf. Apply through the county's program office.

Estimated bill savings: $100–$2,000 a year

SMTS, Inc. is the rural transit provider for Texas County. It runs door-to-door local and long-distance routes from its West Plains office (306 Davis Drive, Suite 102). Local: Tuesday Cabool & surrounding area, service to West Plains, and Summersville service with Shannon County to Mountain View; Wednesday service with Shannon County to West Plains; Friday service to Cabool and either Mountain Grove or Houston. Local appointments must be between 10 am and 2 pm and reserved by 12:00 pm the business day before. Long-distance: 1st & 3rd Tuesday, entire county, with Howell, Oregon & Shannon Counties to Springfield; call at least 2 business days ahead and plan to be on the vehicle all day. Base fares: $8 in town, $18 in county, $32 adjoining county; suggested 60+ contribution $4 / $9 / $20. Medicaid NEMT rides are free via MTM, 1-866-269-5927. Older adults and people with disabilities can use these services for medical appointments, shopping, and other essential trips. Rides are free or low-cost depending on the service. Call 833-838-6786 or 417-778-7240 for schedules, eligibility, or to book a ride.

Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year