Senior benefits in Edwards County, Texas

Edwards County's energy bill help (CEAP) is run by Community Council of South Central Texas (CCSCT), headquartered in Seguin with its CEAP office in Jourdanton. It helps pay electric, natural gas and propane bills, with payments based on the past 12 months of billing, and can repair or replace a heating or cooling unit in a crisis. Priority goes to households with the lowest income and highest energy costs, people 60 and over, people with disabilities and families with children five or under. Household income must be at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. Call the CEAP office at 830-767-2019 (main office 830-303-4376) or the TDHCA CEAP line at 800-525-0657.

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

Edwards County operates a referral-and-coordination emergency aid framework: (1) CVCAA for CEAP utility (325-653-2411) or TDHCA-coordinated subrecipient; (2) CVCOG AAA for senior services (1-877-944-9666); (3) Edwards County CIHCP / Shannon for healthcare (830-683-2235); (4) CVTD for transportation (rural FREE rides); (5) Catholic Charities of the Diocese of San Angelo; (6) Salvation Army San Angelo. Dial 211 for general referrals.

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

The Edwards County Indigent Health Care Program (CIHCP) is required by Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 61 for low-income residents who don't qualify for other state or federal healthcare programs. Eligibility: Edwards 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 Uvalde, San Angelo, or Kerrville hospitals. Shannon Medical Center (San Angelo) is the regional tertiary referral hospital for the entire Concho Valley. Apply by calling Edwards County at 830-683-2235.

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

In this county: Edwards CIHCP at 21% FPL. No hospital in county; residents access Uvalde, San Angelo, or Kerrville hospitals. Shannon Medical Center (San Angelo) is the regional tertiary referral; CVTD demand-response can transport CIHCP enrollees to San Angelo at no cost (rural FREE program).

CVCOG AAA serves Edwards County seniors age 60+ and their caregivers. Services include Information & Referral (coordinated with 2-1-1 Texas of the Concho Valley), resource database, education and outreach, Title III Congregate Meals + Home-Delivered Meals, Transportation (coordinated with CVTD), Caregiver Support, Health Programs, Ombudsman, ADRC intake, and Benefits Counseling (Medicare). Apply by calling CVCOG AAA at 325-223-5704 or 1-877-944-9666. Office: 5430 Link Road, San Angelo TX 76904.

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

The Southwest Area Regional Transit District (SWART) is the rural public transit district for Edwards County, open to the general public. Edwards County routes run to San Antonio on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month ($30.00 round trip), to Junction on the 2nd Wednesday ($20.00 round trip), and to Kerrville every Tuesday and Thursday ($30.00 round trip). Rides must be booked at least 24 hours ahead, and a route needs at least 3 riders to run. Extra stops cost $2 each and same-day rides cost double. Discount fare cards give 33.33% off a pack of 30 one-way trips. Edwards County is not in the Concho Valley Transit District (CVTD) service area. To book a ride, call SWART at 1-800-499-1617.

Estimated service value: $50–$800 a year

In this county: Edwards County routes run only on set days each month, and a trip needs at least 3 riders to run. Call ahead to confirm the schedule.