Senior benefits in Starr County, Texas
Seniors in Starr County, Texas have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with health care, energy costs, food, transportation, and more. The Area Agency on Aging of the South Texas Development Council (STDC AAA) is the local starting point for older adults and caregivers looking for guidance on services and support. For help with utility bills, Community Action Corporation of South Texas (CACOST) administers CEAP Energy Assistance right here in Starr County. The Starr County Indigent Health Care Program (CIHCP) may help residents who need medical coverage, and Starr County Emergency Aid offers referral coordination for those facing urgent needs. Getting around is easier through Lower Rio Grande Valley Transit (LRGV Transit / Valley Metro), which provides both demand-response and fixed-route service in the county. State programs like Texas Medicaid for the Aged, Blind, or Disabled and Texas STAR+PLUS are also available, along with 25 federal programs. Each listing on this page includes its official source and the date it was last verified — the administering agency makes the final eligibility decision.
5
Local programs
12
Texas programs
25
Federal programs
15
Categories
Local starting point
South Texas Development Council (STDC) — designated AAA under OAA Title III for the 4-county South Texas region (Jim Hogg, Starr, Webb, Zapata); headquartered in Laredo
800-292-5426
See which of these Starr County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Starr 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 Starr County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Starr County. Start here.
Emergency Aid
Programs here are typically worth $100–$1,800 a year to an eligible household.
Community Action Corporation of South Texas (CACOST) — CEAP Energy Assistance (Starr County)
CountyStarr County's CEAP is delivered through CACOST. CACOST provides utility bill payment assistance for electricity, gas, and propane; energy crisis assistance; weatherization; and energy education. Eligibility at 150% FPL. Apply at cacost.org or by calling CACOST at 361-664-0145.
$200–$1,600/yr
Starr County Emergency Aid — Referral Coordination
CountyStarr County operates a referral-and-coordination emergency aid framework: (1) 361-664-0145 (CACOST) for CEAP utility; (2) STDC AAA for senior services (800-292-5426); (3) Starr County CIHCP for healthcare (956-487-2249); (4) regional transit operator; (5) Catholic Charities of Laredo; (6) Salvation Army Laredo. 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.
Starr County Indigent Health Care Program (CIHCP)
CountyThe Starr County Indigent Health Care Program (CIHCP) is required by Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 61. Eligibility: Starr County resident age 18+; household income less than 21% of the Federal Poverty Level; not Medicaid-eligible. PRIMARY HOSPITAL: Starr County Memorial Hospital (Rio Grande City) — county-owned hospital; Mission Regional Medical Center and DHR Health (Hidalgo) are the regional tertiary referrals. Laredo Medical Center and Doctors Hospital of Laredo are the regional tertiary referral hospitals — both have Patient Financial Assistance Programs (typically 200% FPL or broader). Apply by calling Starr County at 956-487-2249.
$1,000–$18,000/yr
In this county: Starr CIHCP at 21% FPL — very strict. Starr County Memorial Hospital (Rio Grande City) — county-owned hospital; Mission Regional Medical Center and DHR Health (Hidalgo) are the regional tertiary referrals. Laredo Medical Center + Doctors Hospital of Laredo are regional tertiary referrals.
Nutrition
Programs here are typically worth $1,200–$4,500 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging of the South Texas Development Council (STDC AAA) — Title III + ADRC (Starr County)
CountySTDC AAA serves Starr County seniors age 60+ and their caregivers as part of the 4-county South Texas border region. Services include Title III Congregate Meals + Home-Delivered Meals, Benefits Counseling (HICAP/SHIP Medicare), Care Coordination, Caregiver Support, In-Home Support, and Long-Term Care Ombudsman. Apply by calling STDC AAA at 800-292-5426 or 956-722-3995.
$1,200–$4,500/yr
In this county: Starr County is one of 4 counties in the STDC AAA service area. Note: Starr's COG is LRGVDC but its AAA is STDC (documented misalignment).
Transportation
Programs here are typically worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Lower Rio Grande Valley Transit (LRGV Transit / Valley Metro) — Demand-Response + Fixed-Route (Starr County)
CountyLRGV Transit (Valley Metro) provides demand-response and fixed-route transit across Starr County and the broader Lower Rio Grande Valley. Seniors 60+ qualify for reduced fares. ADA-eligible riders qualify for paratransit. Apply by calling Valley Metro at 866-836-9325.
$200–$2,000/yr
In this county: Starr: Valley Metro / LRGV Transit (LRGVDC). Starr County is in the LRGVDC transit service area though its AAA is STDC — a documented misalignment.
Texas and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Starr 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.