Senior benefits in Potter County, Texas

Potter County's CEAP is delivered through Panhandle Community Services (PCS), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit CAA serving all 26 Panhandle counties. PCS also operates PANHANDLE TRANSIT (the rural transit district) — making it a single unified-intake nonprofit for both utility assistance and transportation (same dual-function model as South Plains' SPCAA). CEAP provides utility bill payment for electric, gas, propane; energy crisis assistance; and energy education. Eligibility at 150% FPL. Apply at pcsvcs.org/services/utility or by calling PCS at 806-342-6116.

$200–$1,600/yr

Potter County operates a referral-and-coordination emergency aid framework: (1) PCS for CEAP utility (806-342-6116) — same nonprofit runs Panhandle Transit; (2) PRPC AAA for senior services (806-372-3381); (3) Potter County CIHCP for healthcare (806-379-2200); (4) Catholic Charities of the Texas Panhandle (Amarillo); (5) Salvation Army Amarillo. Dial 211 for general referrals.

$100–$1,800/yr

Amarillo metro's hospital safety net runs through TWO independent systems: (1) BSA HEALTH SYSTEM (Baptist St. Anthony's) — Patient Financial Assistance with eligibility for households below 400% Federal Poverty Level. The 400% FPL threshold MATCHES UTMB GALVESTON as the MOST GENEROUS hospital threshold in the modeled TX catalog (other peer systems: Harris Health 150%, Parkland Dallas/University Health Bexar/Central Health Travis 200%, JPS Tarrant 250%). Call BSA at 888-568-3522 (M-F 8am-5pm) for application. (2) NORTHWEST TEXAS HEALTHCARE SYSTEM (NWTHS) — 495-bed academic teaching hospital since 1924; provides a Financial Assistance Program for low-income uninsured patients. Both systems serve the entire Panhandle region — Amarillo is the tertiary referral hub for the 26 PRPC counties.

$1,500–$50,000/yr

In this county: BSA Health's 400% FPL gate is among the most generous TX hospital charity care thresholds — matches UTMB Galveston. BSA + NWTHS combined serve as the tertiary referral safety net for the entire 26-county Panhandle region. Amarillo CIHCP applicants from Potter/Randall use the county program first; non-county residents apply directly to the hospital's FAP.

PRPC AAA serves Potter County seniors age 60+ and their caregivers as part of its 26-county Panhandle region. Services include Title III Congregate Meals + Home-Delivered Meals, Emergency Response Services, Adult Day Care, Transportation (coordinated with Panhandle Transit/ACT), Minor Home Repairs/Modifications, Homemaker Services, Personal Care Assistance, Legal Assistance/Representation, Caregiver Support, Benefits Counseling, and ADRC intake. Apply by calling PRPC AAA at 806-372-3381. Office: 415 SW 8th Avenue, Amarillo TX 79101.

$1,200–$4,500/yr

Potter County is served by TWO transit operators: (1) AMARILLO CITY TRANSIT (ACT) — the City of Amarillo's urban transit district, established 1966, operating fixed-route bus + flexible transit + ACT-Connect ADA paratransit within Amarillo city limits; (2) PANHANDLE TRANSIT — operated by Panhandle Community Services (PCS), serving the RURAL portions of Potter and Randall plus 24 other Panhandle counties. Seniors qualify for free or low-cost rides through Panhandle Rides (panhandlerides.com), a regional coordination system. For ACT urban fares, call ACT at 806-378-3095. For Panhandle Transit rural service, call PCS at 806-372-2531. ACT-Connect ADA paratransit requires functional-ability certification.

$300–$2,500/yr

In this county: Amarillo metro (Potter + the other Potter/Randall portion) has the most comprehensive transit infrastructure in the Panhandle. Urban residents use ACT; rural residents use Panhandle Transit (PCS).