Senior benefits in Ector County, Texas

Ector County operates a referral-and-coordination emergency aid framework: (1) WTO for CEAP utility 806-872-8354) — same nonprofit also runs TRAX transit; (2) AAAPB for senior services (432-563-1061); (3) Ector County CIHCP / hospital district for healthcare (432-640-1053); (4) Catholic Charities of the Diocese of San Angelo or Lubbock; (5) Salvation Army Big Spring or Midland. Dial 211 for general emergency aid referrals.

$100–$1,800/yr

Ector County's CEAP is delivered through West Texas Opportunities, Inc. (WTO), the regional 501(c)(3) CAA also operating the TRAX transit (see tx.ector.wto_trax_transit). WTO provides utility bill payment assistance, energy crisis intervention, and energy education to low-income Permian Basin households. Eligibility at 150% FPL. Priority to households with elderly, persons with disabilities, families with young children, and households with high energy burden. Apply at gowto.org/comprehensive-energy-assistance-program or by calling WTO. Permian Basin's hot summer climate makes COOLING-CRISIS assistance especially relevant.

$200–$1,600/yr

The Ector County Hospital District Assistance Program (ECHDA) was created in November 1989 and provides healthcare assistance to indigent Ector County residents through Medical Center Hospital (Odessa). Eligibility is based on resources and income following State of Texas poverty guidelines. Applicants must be legal U.S. residents with established Ector County residency, not eligible for Medicaid, and uninsured. ECHDA covers inpatient hospital care, emergency room care, and outpatient care including diagnostic testing and therapy treatments. PRESCRIPTIONS LIMITED TO 3 PER MONTH; doctor visits limited to 1 family practice + 1 specialist per month. Apply at 432-640-1053 or visit the ECHDA office at 425 N. Odessa, TX 79761.

$1,500–$35,000/yr

In this county: ECHDA: established public hospital district program for Ector County residents.

AAAPB serves Ector County seniors age 60+ and their caregivers as part of its 17-county Permian Basin region. Services include Benefits Counseling, Congregate Dining + Home-Delivered Meals (food insecurity + social activity), Information/Referral/Assistance, Ombudsman program for long-term care facilities, Care Coordination, and senior center coordination. Apply by calling AAAPB at 432-563-1061 or visiting pbrpc.org/departments/area-agency-on-aging.

$1,200–$4,500/yr

TRAX is the demand-response public transit service for Ector County (population ~165K), operated by West Texas Opportunities, Inc. (WTO) — the regional 501(c)(3) nonprofit also serving as the CEAP subrecipient (see tx.ector.wto_ceap). TRAX serves the entire Permian Basin region plus adjacent rural areas — demand-response means advance reservations are required, typically 24-48 hours ahead. Senior fares are typically reduced; rides connect Odessa to other Permian Basin communities and to medical specialists in Midland or Odessa. Call WTO at 1-800-245-9028 to schedule rides.

$200–$1,800/yr