Senior benefits in Howard County, Texas

Howard 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) Howard County CIHCP / hospital district for healthcare (432-264-2244); (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

Howard County's CEAP is delivered through West Texas Opportunities, Inc. (WTO), the regional 501(c)(3) CAA also operating the TRAX transit (see tx.howard.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 Howard County Indigent Health Care Program (CIHCP) is required by Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 61 for low-income residents who don't qualify for other state or federal healthcare programs. Eligibility: Howard County resident age 18+; household income less than 21% of the Federal Poverty Level (Texas statutory minimum); not Medicaid-eligible. Covers physician services, lab/x-ray, three prescriptions per month, and inpatient/outpatient hospital services through participating providers. PRIMARY HOSPITAL: Scenic Mountain Medical Center (Big Spring). Apply by calling Howard County at 432-264-2244.

$1,000–$18,000/yr

In this county: Howard CIHCP at 21% FPL — very strict. Scenic Mountain Medical Center (Big Spring).

AAAPB serves Howard 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 Howard County (population ~35K), operated by West Texas Opportunities, Inc. (WTO) — the regional 501(c)(3) nonprofit also serving as the CEAP subrecipient (see tx.howard.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 Big Spring 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