Senior benefits in Duval County, Texas

Duval County's energy bill help (CEAP) is run by Community Action Corporation of South Texas (CACOST), a nonprofit Community Action Agency based in Alice; Brooks, Duval and Jim Wells applicants use the Alice office at 601 East Main St., 361-661-1300. CEAP pays toward electric, gas and propane bills, can repair or replace heating and cooling systems in a crisis, and includes energy education; priority goes to households with elderly or disabled members and children under five. Applications are by appointment only (request one through the link on the CACOST CEAP page) and incomplete applications are not processed. Household income must be at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines ($23,940 for one person in 2026). Call the office above, CACOST's main line at 361-664-0145, or the TDHCA CEAP line at 800-525-0657.

Estimated bill savings: $200–$1,600 a year

In this county: Community Action Corporation of South Texas (CACOST) is the TDHCA CEAP subrecipient for Duval County (TDHCA Help for Texans lookup and the TDHCA Subrecipient Contact List updated 2026-02-02, checked 2026-09-25). CACOST's CEAP counties are Bee, Brooks, Cameron, Duval, Jim Wells, San Patricio and Willacy — Aransas, Kleberg, Nueces, Starr, Zapata, Jim Hogg, Hidalgo and Webb are served by other subrecipients. Funds are limited and run out during the program year, so apply early. Subrecipient assignments can change between program years — confirm with TDHCA at 800-525-0657 if unsure.

Duval County operates a referral-and-coordination emergency aid framework: (1) CEAP subrecipient (CACOST 361-883-3935 OR TDHCA 800-525-0657) for utility assistance; (2) CBCOG AAA for senior services (361-883-5743); (3) Duval County CIHCP / Nueces County Hospital District (CHRISTUS Spohn) for healthcare (361-279-3322); (4) United Way of the Coastal Bend; (5) Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Corpus Christi. Dial 211 for general referrals.

Estimated bill savings: $100–$1,800 a year

The Duval County Indigent Health Care Program (CIHCP) is required by Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 61 for low-income residents. Eligibility: Duval 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: No hospital in county; residents access San Diego (Jim Wells Hospital), Alice, or Corpus Christi (CHRISTUS Spohn). CHRISTUS Spohn (Corpus Christi) is the regional tertiary referral hospital — CHRISTUS Spohn's Financial Assistance Program (200% FPL free / 400% FPL sliding) provides broader coverage for households above CIHCP threshold. Apply by calling Duval County at 361-279-3322.

Estimated bill savings: $1,000–$18,000 a year

In this county: Duval CIHCP at 21% FPL — very strict. No hospital in county; residents access San Diego (Jim Wells Hospital), Alice, or Corpus Christi (CHRISTUS Spohn). CHRISTUS Spohn (Corpus Christi) is the regional tertiary referral.

CBCOG AAA serves Duval County seniors age 60+ and their caregivers. The AAA was created in 1974 and serves over 30 cities across the 11-county Coastal Bend region. Services include Title III Congregate Meals + Home-Delivered Meals, Transportation referrals, Senior Centers, Fall Prevention programs, Benefits Counseling (HICAP/SHIP Medicare), Long-Term Care Facility Advocacy (Ombudsman), and Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) intake. The AAA targets older adults with the greatest social and economic needs — especially frail, low-income, and minority seniors. Apply by calling CBCOG AAA at 361-883-5743 or visiting coastalbendcog.org/aaa. Office: 2910 Leopard St., Corpus Christi TX 78408.

Estimated service value: $1,200–$4,500 a year

Public transit in Duval County operates through Coastal Bend regional rural transit providers — primarily Rural Economic Assistance League (REAL Inc) and CACOST-coordinated services. Demand-response service requires advance reservation. Seniors typically qualify for reduced or free fares depending on the operator. Rural-to-Corpus Christi medical trips are a common service pattern. Apply for transit referrals through Coastal Bend AAA at 361-883-5743 or through your local senior center.

Estimated service value: $100–$1,500 a year