Benefits · Texas

Senior benefits in Knox County, Texas

Knox County, Texas is a rural community where seniors 65 and older may qualify for a wide range of benefit programs at the federal, state, and local level. The Area Agency on Aging of West Central Texas, run by the West Central Texas Council of Governments, serves Knox County and is a strong local starting point for older adults and their caregivers. This agency connects seniors to services under the Older Americans Act and operates an Aging and Disability Resource Center. Locally, the Knox County Indigent Health Care Program may help residents who need medical coverage but do not qualify for other programs, and the Knox County Emergency Aid referral network can connect people to urgent help. Energy bill assistance may be available through CEAP, coordinated for Knox County through TDHCA and its regional partners. State programs such as Texas Medicaid for the Aged, Blind, or Disabled and Texas STAR+PLUS may also apply, along with dozens of federal programs. Each listing on this page includes its official source and the date it was last verified — the administering agency makes all final eligibility decisions.

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Local programs

12

Texas programs

25

Federal programs

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Categories

Local starting point

Rural transit service for Knox County operates through regional transit providers including Central Texas Rural Transit District, Aspermont SBDC (for Jones-area counties), and other regional demand-response operators contracted through the West Central Texas Council of Governments

325-672-8544

See which of these Knox County programs you may qualify for.

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Helping others? Print the Knox 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.

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Programs run in Knox County

Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Knox County. Start here.

Emergency Aid

Programs here are typically worth $100–$1,800 a year to an eligible household.

CEAP (TDHCA-Coordinated) — Knox County

County

CEAP delivery for Knox County is coordinated by TDHCA through a subrecipient agency. The West Central Texas region is served by various TDHCA-contracted nonprofits — to identify the CURRENT subrecipient serving Knox, call TDHCA at 800-525-0657 or call WCTCOG AAA at 325-672-8544 for a current referral. Eligibility at 150% FPL. Senior-headed households receive priority.

$200–$1,600/yr

How to apply →Official source →800-525-0657Last verified · August 31, 2026

Knox County Emergency Aid — Referral Coordination

County

Knox County operates a referral-and-coordination emergency aid framework: (1) TDHCA CEAP subrecipient for utility assistance (800-525-0657); (2) WCTCOG AAA for senior services (325-672-8544); (3) Knox County CIHCP / Hendrick Health for healthcare (940-454-2125); (4) Catholic Charities of the Diocese of San Angelo or West Texas; (5) Salvation Army Abilene. Dial 211 for general emergency aid referrals.

$100–$1,800/yr

How to apply →Official source →211Last verified · September 2, 2026

Healthcare

Programs here are typically worth $1,000–$18,000 a year to an eligible household.

Knox County Indigent Health Care Program (CIHCP)

County

The Knox County Indigent Health Care Program (CIHCP) is required by Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 61 for low-income residents. Eligibility: Knox 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: Knox County Hospital District (Knox City). Hendrick Health System (Abilene) is the regional tertiary referral hospital for the entire West Central Texas region. Apply by calling Knox County at 940-454-2125.

$1,000–$18,000/yr

In this county: Knox CIHCP at 21% FPL — very strict. Knox County Hospital District (Knox City). Hendrick (Abilene) is the tertiary referral; Hendrick's Financial Assistance Policy provides broader 250% FPL coverage for households above CIHCP threshold.

How to apply →Official source →940-454-2125Last verified · September 1, 2026

Nutrition

Programs here are typically worth $1,200–$4,500 a year to an eligible household.

Area Agency on Aging of West Central Texas (WCTCOG AAA) — Title III + ADRC (Knox County)

County

WCTCOG AAA serves Knox County seniors age 60+ and their caregivers as part of its 19-county West Central Texas region (18,000 sq mi). Services are administered through local senior centers and/or rural transportation providers throughout the region. Programs include: Home-Delivered Meals for homebound seniors who cannot prepare nutritious meals themselves; Congregate Meals at senior centers, churches, or senior housing communities; Care Coordination; Caregiver Support; Benefits Counseling (Medicare); Transportation referrals; ADRC intake. Apply by calling WCTCOG AAA at 325-672-8544. Office: 3702 Loop 322, Abilene TX 79602.

$1,200–$4,500/yr

How to apply →Official source →325-672-8544Last verified · September 4, 2026

Transportation

Programs here are typically worth $100–$1,200 a year to an eligible household.

Rural Demand-Response Transit (Knox County)

County

Public transit in Knox County operates through regional rural transit providers contracted via WCTCOG. The principal rural transit operator for the West Central Texas region is the Central Texas Rural Transit District, with additional service in some northern counties provided by Aspermont Small Business Development Center, Inc. (covering rural Jones County and adjacent areas). Senior fares are typically reduced or free for qualifying riders. Demand-response requires advance reservation. Apply through WCTCOG AAA at 325-672-8544 to identify the current operator for Knox County and coordinate transportation referrals.

$100–$1,200/yr

How to apply →Official source →325-672-8544Last verified · September 3, 2026

Texas and federal programs

Open to eligible households in Knox County and across the rest of Texas. Full details are on the Texas benefits page.

Income Support

Utility Assistance

Veteran Benefits

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Not legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.