Senior benefits in Zavala County, Texas
Zavala County, Texas, is a rural border 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 the Middle Rio Grande, operated by the Middle Rio Grande Development Council, is the key local starting point for older adults and caregivers seeking guidance on services and support. Locally, the Community Council of South Central Texas administers CEAP energy assistance for qualifying Zavala County residents, and Middle Rio Grande Rural Transit offers demand-response transportation for those who need a ride to appointments or services. The Zavala County Indigent Health Care Program provides another layer of support for residents who meet eligibility requirements. State programs such as Texas Medicaid for the Aged, Blind, or Disabled, Texas STAR+PLUS, and the Texas Over-65 Homestead Exemption may also apply. Dozens of federal programs are available here as well. Each listing on this page includes its official source and the date it was last verified, and the administering agency always makes the final eligibility decision.
5
Local programs
12
Texas programs
25
Federal programs
15
Categories
Local starting point
Middle Rio Grande Development Council (MRGDC) — established 1970; the regional COG and designated AAA under OAA Title III for 9 counties of the Middle Rio Grande border region (Dimmit, Edwards, Kinney, LaSalle, Maverick, Real, Uvalde, Val Verde, Zavala)
830-876-3533
See which of these Zavala County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Zavala 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 Zavala County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Zavala County. Start here.
Emergency Aid
Programs here are typically worth $100–$1,800 a year to an eligible household.
Community Council of South Central Texas (CCSCT) — CEAP Energy Assistance (Zavala County)
CountyZavala County's CEAP is delivered through Community Council of South Central Texas (CCSCT). CEAP provides utility bill payment assistance for electric, gas, and propane; energy crisis assistance; and energy education. Eligibility at 150% FPL. Apply at https://www.ccsct.org/program/utility-assistance/ or by calling 830-379-9415. South Texas hot climate makes cooling-crisis assistance especially relevant.
$200–$1,600/yr
Zavala County Emergency Aid — Referral Coordination
CountyZavala County operates a referral-and-coordination emergency aid framework: (1) CCSCT or other CEAP subrecipient (830-379-9415); (2) MRGDC AAA for senior services (830-876-3533); (3) Zavala County CIHCP / Val Verde Regional / Uvalde Memorial for healthcare (830-374-3810); (4) Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Laredo or San Antonio; (5) Salvation Army Del Rio or Uvalde. 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.
Zavala County Indigent Health Care Program (CIHCP)
CountyThe Zavala County Indigent Health Care Program (CIHCP) is required by Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 61 for low-income residents. Eligibility: Zavala County resident age 18+; household income less than 21% of the Federal Poverty Level; not Medicaid-eligible. PRIMARY HOSPITAL: Zavala County Memorial Hospital (Crystal City). For regional tertiary care, Uvalde Memorial Hospital and Val Verde Regional Medical Center (Del Rio) are the typical referral hospitals; San Antonio hospitals (University Health, CHRISTUS) for complex care. Apply by calling Zavala County at 830-374-3810.
$1,000–$18,000/yr
In this county: Zavala CIHCP at 21% FPL — very strict. Zavala County Memorial Hospital (Crystal City). Val Verde Regional Medical Center (300% FPL FAP, Del Rio) is the regional generous referral.
Nutrition
Programs here are typically worth $1,200–$4,500 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging of the Middle Rio Grande (MRGDC AAA) — Title III + ADRC (Zavala County)
CountyMRGDC AAA serves Zavala County seniors age 60+ and their caregivers as part of its 9-county Middle Rio Grande border region. Services include Title III Congregate Meals + Home-Delivered Meals, Care Coordination, Caregiver Support, Benefits Counseling (HICAP/SHIP Medicare), Long-Term Care Ombudsman, and ADRC intake. Apply by calling MRGDC AAA at 830-876-3533. Office: 307 W Nopal Street, Carrizo Springs TX 78834.
$1,200–$4,500/yr
Transportation
Programs here are typically worth $100–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Middle Rio Grande Rural Transit — Demand-Response Service (Zavala County)
CountyMiddle Rio Grande Transit is the demand-response rural public transit serving Zavala County, operated by MRGDC. The region includes the Texas-Mexico border cities of Eagle Pass (Maverick), Del Rio (Val Verde), and Crystal City (Zavala). Demand-response service requires advance reservation. Senior fares are typically reduced. Apply for transit through MRGDC at 830-876-3533.
$100–$1,500/yr
Texas and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Zavala 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.