Senior benefits in Frio County, Texas
Frio County, Texas seniors and their families have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help cover everyday needs. The Alamo Area AAA, operated through AACOG, serves as the local starting point for older adults seeking help with services, benefits counseling, and connections to support through the Older Americans Act. Getting around is easier with Alamo Regional Transit, which provides demand-response transportation across Frio County and surrounding rural areas. Help with energy costs may be available through the Community Council of South Central Texas, which administers the CEAP energy assistance program locally. Frio County residents who need health care support may qualify for the Frio County Indigent Health Care Program, and the county also offers emergency aid referral coordination for those facing urgent needs. State programs such as Texas Medicaid for the Aged, Blind, or Disabled, Texas STAR+PLUS, and the Texas Over-65 Homestead Exemption may also apply. Dozens of federal programs are listed below as well. Each program listing includes its official source and the date it was last verified — the administering agency makes all final eligibility decisions.
5
Local programs
12
Texas programs
25
Federal programs
15
Categories
Local starting point
Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG) — Alamo Area AAA division; designated Area Agency on Aging under the Older Americans Act Title III for the 12-county Alamo Area region (excluding Bexar which has its own Bexar AAA)
1-866-231-4922
See which of these Frio County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Frio County benefits checklist — free to hand out.
When benefit rules change, it’s tracked here
Income limits, new requirements, how to apply — see what’s changed across senior benefit programs, from the official source in plain English.
Programs run in Frio County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Frio County. Start here.
Emergency Aid
Programs here are typically worth $100–$1,800 a year to an eligible household.
Community Council of South Central Texas (CCSCT) — CEAP Energy Assistance (Frio County)
CountyFrio County's CEAP is delivered through Community Council of South Central Texas (CCSCT), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit CAA serving 26 South-Central and West Texas counties. CCSCT also delivers LIHWAP (Low Income Water Assistance Program) — distinctive coverage of WATER bill assistance in addition to electric, natural gas, and propane. Eligibility at 150% FPL. Priority is given to vulnerable individuals 60 years and over, persons with disabilities, and families with children 5 and under. Apply at ccsct.org. The Seguin office at 1908 N. Hwy 123 Bypass, Seguin TX 78155 is the headquarters.
$200–$1,800/yr
Frio County Emergency Aid — Referral Coordination
CountyFrio County operates a referral-and-coordination emergency aid framework. Direct county-administered aid is limited; emergency needs are addressed through: (1) CCSCT for CEAP utility assistance (830-379-9415); (2) AACOG Alamo Area AAA for senior services (866-231-4922); (3) Frio County CIHCP for healthcare (830-334-2154); (4) faith-based partners (Catholic Charities of San Antonio archdiocese, Salvation Army, churches). Dial 211 for general emergency aid referrals.
$100–$1,800/yr
Healthcare
Programs here are typically worth $1,200–$22,000 a year to an eligible household.
Frio County Indigent Health Care Program (CIHCP)
CountyThe Frio County Indigent Health Care Program (CIHCP) is required by Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 61 for low-income Frio County residents who don't qualify for other state or federal healthcare programs. Eligibility typically requires: Frio County resident age 18+; household income less than 21% of the Federal Poverty Level (the Texas statutory minimum); not eligible for or receiving Medicaid. CIHCP services typically cover physician services, lab and x-ray, three prescriptions per month, and inpatient and outpatient hospital services through participating providers. PRIMARY HOSPITAL: Frio Regional Hospital (Pearsall). For Frio residents above 21% FPL, the dominant hospital's own Patient Financial Assistance Program (typically at 200% FPL) is the broader pathway. Apply by calling Frio County at 830-334-2154.
$1,200–$22,000/yr
In this county: The 21% FPL gate is the Texas statutory minimum — extremely strict. Only Frio residents at or near SSI income levels qualify for full CIHCP. Frio Regional Hospital (Pearsall) is the practical hospital partner. Some Frio-area hospitals may operate their own broader financial assistance programs (typically at 200% FPL) — call the hospital billing office directly.
Nutrition
Programs here are typically worth $1,200–$4,500 a year to an eligible household.
AACOG Alamo Area AAA — Title III + ADRC + Benefits Counseling (Frio County)
CountyAACOG operates TWO distinct AAAs: (1) the Bexar AAA serving Bexar County only (tx.bexar.bexar_aaa_aacog); (2) the Alamo Area AAA serving the 12 surrounding rural counties (Atascosa, Bandera, Comal, Frio, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, McMullen, Medina, Wilson). The Alamo Area AAA serves Frio County under the Older Americans Act Title III with congregate meals at local senior centers, Home-Delivered Meals for homebound seniors age 60+, Information Referral and Assistance, Benefits Counseling (HICAP/SHIP Medicare counseling), Care Coordination, Caregiver Support including respite, In-Home Support, and ADRC services. Apply by calling the AACOG Alamo Region line at 1-866-231-4922 or the Statewide Texas AAA line at 855-937-2372.
$1,200–$4,500/yr
Transportation
Programs here are typically worth $300–$2,400 a year to an eligible household.
Alamo Regional Transit (ART) — Demand-Response Transit (Frio County)
CountyAlamo Regional Transit (ART) is the AACOG-operated demand-response public transit serving Frio County and 11 other AACOG counties surrounding Bexar (San Antonio). ART's Senior Transportation Program is distinctive: rides are typically OFFERED FREE OF CHARGE to seniors who no longer drive, taking them from home to grocery stores, medical appointments, bill payment, senior centers for lunch and activities, and social visits. General-public fares are tiered based on distance — typical ranges include $4 round-trip within a single town (like Kerrville), $16 to a neighboring town (Kerrville to Fredericksburg), and $24 for longer trips into San Antonio. Advance reservations are required. Frio residents call the AACOG reservation center at 210-870-4989 or 866-889-7433 (M-F 7am-6pm) to schedule. Email: mobility@aacog.gov. ART is the only public transit option in most parts of Frio.
$300–$2,400/yr
Texas and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Frio County and across the rest of Texas. Full details are on the Texas benefits page.
Emergency Aid
Employment
- Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)Federal$15,000–$17,000/yrOfficial source →
Food Assistance
- Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) Senior Food BoxFederal$240–$600/yrOfficial source →
- Congregate Meals at Senior CentersFederal$1,000–$2,500/yrOfficial source →
- Home-Delivered Meals (Meals on Wheels)Federal$1,500–$4,000/yrOfficial source →
- Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)Federal$35–$50/yrOfficial source →
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) for SeniorsFederal$280–$2,400/yrOfficial source →
Healthcare
- CHAMPVA (Civilian Health and Medical Program of the VA)Federal$3,000–$15,000/yrOfficial source →
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)FederalOfficial source →
- VA Health CareFederal$5,000–$20,000/yrOfficial source →
- Texas Medicaid for the Aged, Blind, or Disabled (MEPD)State$4,000–$25,000/yrOfficial source →
- Texas STAR+PLUS — Medicaid Managed Care + Long-Term Services and SupportsState$6,000–$80,000/yrOfficial source →
Home Care
- Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)State$30,000–$80,000/yrOfficial source →
Housing
- Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)Federal$8,000–$20,000/yrOfficial source →
- HUD Section 202 Supportive Housing for the ElderlyFederal$5,000–$15,000/yrOfficial source →
Income Support
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)Federal$11,928–$17,892/yrOfficial source →
Long Term Care
Medicare Savings
- Extra Help (Part D Low-Income Subsidy)Federal$4,000–$5,300/yrOfficial source →
- Qualifying Individual (QI)Federal$2,400–$2,435/yrOfficial source →
- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)Federal$2,435–$3,500/yrOfficial source →
- Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)Federal$2,400–$2,435/yrOfficial source →
Supportive Services
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman ProgramFederalOfficial source →
- National Family Caregiver Support Program (OAA Title III-E)Federal$1,000–$5,000/yrOfficial source →
- Older Americans Act Supportive Services (Title III-B)Federal$500–$3,000/yrOfficial source →
- Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)FederalOfficial source →
- Texas Disabled Veteran Super Combo Hunting & Fishing License (Free)StateOfficial source →
- Texas State Veterans Cemeteries (No-Cost Burial Benefits)StateOfficial source →
- Texas Veterans Commission Claims Assistance (Free VA Claims Help)StateOfficial source →
Tax Relief
- Federal Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled (IRS Schedule R)Federalup to $1,125/yrOfficial source →
- Texas 100% Disabled Veteran Homestead Exemption (Total Property Tax Exemption)State$3,000–$9,000/yrOfficial source →
- Texas Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption (Partial, 10%–100% Rating)State$85–$265/yrOfficial source →
- Texas Over-65 Homestead Exemption + School District Tax Ceiling (Tax Freeze)State$600–$3,500/yrOfficial source →
Utility Assistance
- Federal LifelineFederal$111–$411/yrOfficial source →
- Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)Federal$3,000–$8,000/yrOfficial source →
Veteran Benefits
- VA Aid & Attendance (Improved Pension)Federal$12,000–$34,488/yrOfficial source →
Not legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.
