Senior benefits in Polk County, Texas
Seniors aged 65 and older in Polk County, Texas, may qualify for a wide range of benefit programs — from local assistance to state and federal support. The Area Agency on Aging of Deep East Texas (DETCOG AAA) serves as the local starting point for older adults and their caregivers in this rural piney-woods region, connecting people to services under Title III of the Older Americans Act and acting as an Aging and Disability Resource Center. Locally, programs like the Polk County Indigent Health Care Program (CIHCP), Polk County Emergency Aid — Referral Coordination, and Deep East Texas Transit — Demand-Response Service address health care, emergency needs, and transportation. State programs such as Texas Medicaid for the Aged, Blind, or Disabled (MEPD), Texas STAR+PLUS, the Texas Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP), and the Texas Over-65 Homestead Exemption and Tax Freeze may also apply. Dozens of federal programs are listed here as well. Each program listing below 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
Deep East Texas Council of Governments (DETCOG) — political subdivision and designated AAA under OAA Title III for the 12-county Deep East Texas region (Angelina, Houston, Jasper, Nacogdoches, Newton, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Trinity, Tyler) — 9,798 square miles of mostly rural piney-woods communities
936-639-8200
See which of these Polk County programs you may qualify for.
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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 Polk County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Polk County. Start here.
Emergency Aid
Programs here are typically worth $100–$1,800 a year to an eligible household.
CEAP (TDHCA-Coordinated) — Polk County
CountyCEAP delivery for Polk County is coordinated by TDHCA through a subrecipient agency. To identify the CURRENT subrecipient serving Polk, call TDHCA at 800-525-0657 OR call DETCOG AAA at 936-639-8200 for a current referral. Eligibility at 150% FPL. Senior-headed households receive priority.
$200–$1,600/yr
Polk County Emergency Aid — Referral Coordination
CountyPolk County operates a referral-and-coordination emergency aid framework: (1) TDHCA CEAP subrecipient for utility (800-525-0657); (2) DETCOG AAA for senior services (936-639-8200); (3) Polk County CIHCP for healthcare (936-327-6840); (4) Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Tyler/Beaumont; (5) Salvation Army Lufkin or local. Dial 211 for general referrals.
$100–$1,800/yr
Healthcare
Programs here are typically worth $1,000–$18,000 a year to an eligible household.
Polk County Indigent Health Care Program (CIHCP)
CountyThe Polk County Indigent Health Care Program (CIHCP) is required by Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 61 for low-income residents. Eligibility: Polk 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: CHI St. Luke's Health Memorial Livingston. CHI St. Luke's Health Memorial (Lufkin) is the largest regional hospital network — also operates community hospitals in Livingston, Crockett, and San Augustine. For tertiary care, Houston-area hospitals (Memorial Hermann, Houston Methodist) are the typical further referral. Apply by calling Polk County at 936-327-6840.
$1,000–$18,000/yr
In this county: Polk CIHCP at 21% FPL — very strict. CHI St. Luke's Health Memorial Livingston. CHI St. Luke's Health Memorial Lufkin is the regional hub.
Nutrition
Programs here are typically worth $1,200–$4,500 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging of Deep East Texas (DETCOG AAA) — Title III + ADRC (Polk County)
CountyDETCOG AAA serves Polk County seniors age 60+ and their caregivers as part of its 12-county Deep East Texas region. Services include Title III funding for senior centers (Congregate Meals + Home-Delivered Meals + activities), Health Education programs, Care Coordination, Caregiver Support, Benefits Counseling (HICAP/SHIP Medicare), and Long-Term Care Ombudsman. The AAA has offices in Jasper (210 Premier Drive, Jasper TX 75951) and Lufkin (1405 Kurth Drive, Lufkin TX 75904). Apply by calling DETCOG AAA at 936-639-8200 or visiting detcog.gov/aaa.
$1,200–$4,500/yr
Transportation
Programs here are typically worth $100–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Deep East Texas Transit — Demand-Response Service (Polk County)
CountyPublic transit in Polk County operates through Deep East Texas regional rural providers. Brazos Transit District (BTD) serves several DETCOG counties; DETCOG-coordinated demand-response services cover others. Senior fares are typically reduced. Demand-response requires advance reservation. Apply for transit referrals through DETCOG AAA at 936-639-8200 or your local senior center.
$100–$1,500/yr
Texas and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Polk 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.