Senior benefits in King County, Texas
King County, Texas is a rural county in the South Plains region, and seniors here have access to a wide range of benefit programs at the federal, state, and local level. The Area Agency on Aging of the South Plains (SPAG) serves as the local starting point for older adults seeking guidance on services and support. Locally, the King County Indigent Health Care Program (CIHCP) may help residents who need medical coverage and meet income requirements. The South Plains Community Action Association (SPCAA) administers energy assistance through CEAP and also operates SPARTAN Public Transit, which provides demand-response rides for rural residents who need transportation. For those who need help at home or with long-term care, state programs like Texas STAR+PLUS and Texas Medicaid for the Aged, Blind, or Disabled (MEPD) may apply. Dozens of federal programs are also listed on this page. Each program listing includes its official source and the date it was last verified. The administering agency always makes the final eligibility decision.
5
Local programs
12
Texas programs
25
Federal programs
15
Categories
Local starting point
South Plains Association of Governments (SPAG) — established 1967; the regional COG and designated AAA under OAA Title III for 15 South Plains counties (Bailey, Cochran, Crosby, Dickens, Floyd, Garza, Hale, Hockley, King, Lamb, Lubbock, Lynn, Motley, Terry, Yoakum)
888-418-6564
See which of these King County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the King 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 King County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving King County. Start here.
Emergency Aid
Programs here are typically worth $100–$1,800 a year to an eligible household.
King County Emergency Aid — Referral Coordination
CountyKing County operates a referral-and-coordination emergency aid framework: (1) SPCAA for CEAP utility (806-894-7104) — same nonprofit runs SPARTAN transit; (2) SPAG AAA for senior services (888-418-6564); (3) King County CIHCP / Lubbock County Medical Indigent Program for healthcare (806-596-4413); (4) Catholic Charities of Lubbock; (5) Salvation Army Lubbock or Plainview. Dial 211 for general referrals.
$100–$1,800/yr
South Plains Community Action Association (SPCAA) — CEAP Energy Assistance (King County)
CountyKing County's CEAP is delivered through South Plains Community Action Association (SPCAA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit CAA serving the South Plains region. SPCAA also operates SPARTAN Public Transit (see tx.king.spartan_rural_transit) — making it a single unified-intake nonprofit for both utility assistance and transportation. CEAP provides utility bill payment assistance for electric, gas, and propane; energy crisis assistance for shutoffs; and energy education. Eligibility at 150% FPL. Apply at spcaa.org/community-services-energy-utility-assistance or by calling SPCAA at 806-894-7104.
$200–$1,600/yr
Healthcare
Programs here are typically worth $1,000–$18,000 a year to an eligible household.
King County Indigent Health Care Program (CIHCP)
CountyThe King County Indigent Health Care Program (CIHCP) is required by Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 61. Eligibility: King County resident age 18+; household income less than 21% of the Federal Poverty Level; not Medicaid-eligible. Covers physician services, lab/x-ray, three prescriptions per month, and inpatient/outpatient hospital services through participating providers. PRIMARY HOSPITAL: No hospital in county; one of the smallest TX counties (~250 residents). Residents access Knox City, Stamford, or Childress hospitals. For complex/specialty care, UMC Lubbock is the regional tertiary referral hospital. Apply by calling King County at 806-596-4413.
$1,000–$18,000/yr
In this county: King CIHCP at 21% FPL — very strict. No hospital in county; one of the smallest TX counties (~250 residents). Residents access Knox City, Stamford, or Childress hospitals. UMC Lubbock is the regional tertiary referral hospital — non-Lubbock CIHCP enrollees may still receive care there with referrals.
Nutrition
Programs here are typically worth $1,200–$4,500 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging of the South Plains (SPAG) — Title III + ADRC (King County)
CountySPAG AAA serves King County seniors age 60+ and their caregivers. Services include: Information, Referral and Assistance (prescription assistance, transportation, minor home repairs, nutrition, Medicare, long-term care) at no cost; Legal/Benefits Counseling (Medicare appeals, Advance Directives); Family Caregiver Support Program (training, support groups, respite); Title III Congregate Meals + Home-Delivered Meals; Ombudsman; Care Coordination. Apply by calling SPAG AAA at 806-687-0940 or 888-418-6564. Office: 6811 Indiana Avenue, Suite B, Lubbock TX 79413.
$1,200–$4,500/yr
Transportation
Programs here are typically worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
SPARTAN Public Transit — Rural Demand-Response (King County)
CountySPARTAN Public Transit is the demand-response public transit service for King County, operated by the South Plains Community Action Association (SPCAA) — the SAME nonprofit that operates CEAP (see tx.king.spcaa_ceap). SPARTAN serves all 15 South Plains counties plus 1 adjacent. Demand-response means advance reservations are required, typically 24-48 hours ahead. Senior fares are typically reduced. Rural-to-Lubbock medical trips are a common service pattern. Apply for SPARTAN rides by calling 806-894-2233 or visiting spartanpublictransit.com.
$150–$1,500/yr
Texas and federal programs
Open to eligible households in King 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.
