Senior benefits in Ector County, Texas

Ector County operates a referral-and-coordination emergency aid framework: (1) WTO for CEAP utility 806-872-8354) — same nonprofit also runs TRAX transit; (2) AAAPB for senior services (432-563-1061); (3) Ector County CIHCP / hospital district for healthcare (432-640-1053); (4) Catholic Charities of the Diocese of San Angelo or Lubbock; (5) Salvation Army Big Spring or Midland. Dial 211 for general emergency aid referrals.

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

Ector County's CEAP is delivered through West Texas Opportunities, Inc. (WTO), the regional 501(c)(3) CAA also operating the TRAX transit (see tx.ector.wto_trax_transit). WTO provides utility bill payment assistance, energy crisis intervention, and energy education to low-income Permian Basin households. Eligibility at 150% FPL. Priority to households with elderly, persons with disabilities, families with young children, and households with high energy burden. Apply at gowto.org/comprehensive-energy-assistance-program or by calling WTO. Permian Basin's hot summer climate makes COOLING-CRISIS assistance especially relevant.

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

The Ector County Hospital District Assistance Program (ECHDA) was created in November 1989 and provides healthcare assistance to indigent Ector County residents through Medical Center Hospital (Odessa). Eligibility is based on resources and income following State of Texas poverty guidelines. Applicants must be legal U.S. residents with established Ector County residency, not eligible for Medicaid, and uninsured. ECHDA covers inpatient hospital care, emergency room care, and outpatient care including diagnostic testing and therapy treatments. PRESCRIPTIONS LIMITED TO 3 PER MONTH; doctor visits limited to 1 family practice + 1 specialist per month. Apply at 432-640-1053 or visit the ECHDA office at 425 N Sam Houston, Odessa, TX 79761 (Monday–Friday 8am–5pm). Approved applications are valid for up to 6 months (12 months for Medicare applicants).

Estimated bill savings: $1,500–$35,000 a year

In this county: ECHDA: established public hospital district program for Ector County residents.

AAAPB serves Ector County seniors age 60+ and their caregivers as part of its 17-county Permian Basin region. Services include Benefits Counseling, Congregate Dining + Home-Delivered Meals (food insecurity + social activity), Information/Referral/Assistance, Ombudsman program for long-term care facilities, Care Coordination, and senior center coordination. Apply by calling AAAPB at 432-563-1061 or visiting pbrpc.org/departments/area-agency-on-aging.

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

The City of Odessa mows the lawn for homeowners who are 65 or older or have a disability and need help keeping up their property. You must live inside Odessa city limits and own and live in the home. Everyone who lives in the home must be 65 or older or have a disability. Apply online through the city's Neighborly portal and upload proof of age (such as a driver's license or birth certificate) or a Social Security disability letter for everyone in the home. Call the Office of Community Development at 432-335-4883 with questions.

In this county: Only for homes inside Odessa city limits, not all of Ector County. Every person living in the home must be 65 or older or meet HUD's definition of disability. Help depends on city CDBG funding.

TRAX is the demand-response public transit service for Ector County (population ~165K), operated by West Texas Opportunities, Inc. (WTO) — the regional 501(c)(3) nonprofit also serving as the CEAP subrecipient (see tx.ector.wto_ceap). TRAX serves the entire Permian Basin region plus adjacent rural areas — demand-response means rides must be reserved ahead by phone (ask about the notice time and fares when booking); rides connect Odessa to other Permian Basin communities and to medical specialists in Midland or Odessa. TRAX covers the rural parts of Ector County; inside the Odessa urban area, EZ-Rider (Midland Odessa Urban Transit District) runs fixed-route and ADA paratransit service. Call WTO at 1-800-245-9028 to schedule rides.

Estimated service value: $200–$1,800 a year