DiscoverSeniorBenefits

Senior benefits in Freestone County, Texas

Freestone County, Texas seniors and their families have access to a wide range of benefit programs — from local help to state and federal support. The Area Agency on Aging of the Heart of Texas (AAAHOT) is the local starting point for older adults in this county. AAAHOT connects seniors to services under the Older Americans Act and also operates an Aging and Disability Resource Center. For transportation, The HOP through HOTCOG offers rural demand-response rides across Freestone County. Help with energy bills may be available through the Economic Opportunities Advancement Corporation (EOAC) of Planning Region XI, which administers CEAP energy assistance locally. The Freestone County Indigent Health Care Program (CIHCP) and Freestone County Emergency Aid Referral Coordination offer additional safety-net support for residents in need. State programs such as Texas Medicaid for the Aged, Blind, or Disabled and the Texas Over-65 Homestead Exemption also apply here, along with dozens of federal programs. Each listing on this page includes its official source and the date it was last verified. The administering agency always makes the final eligibility decision.

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Local programs

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Texas programs

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Federal programs

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Categories

Last verified · October 12, 2026

Local starting point

Waco Transit System / Heart of Texas Council of Governments (HOTCOG) — the HOP fixed-route bus serves the city of Waco; HOTCOG operates rural demand-response across the 6-county Heart of Texas region (Bosque, Falls, Freestone, Hill, Limestone, McLennan)

254-292-1820

See which of these Freestone County programs you may qualify for.

Discover my benefits

Helping others? Print the Freestone 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.

Benefit changes →

Programs run in Freestone County

Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Freestone County. Start here.

Emergency Aid in Freestone County

Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $100–$1,800 a year.

Economic Opportunities Advancement Corporation (EOAC) of PR XI — CEAP Energy Assistance (Freestone County)

County · Texas

Freestone County's CEAP is delivered through EOAC. EOAC provides utility bill payment assistance for electricity, gas, and propane; energy crisis assistance; weatherization (Bosque, Ellis, Falls, Freestone, Hill, Johnson, Limestone, McLennan, Navarro); and energy education. Eligibility at 150% FPL. Apply at eoacwaco.org or by calling EOAC at 254-756-0954.

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

How to apply →Official source →254-756-0954Last verified · September 26, 2026

Freestone County Emergency Aid — Referral Coordination

County · Texas

Freestone County operates a referral-and-coordination emergency aid framework: (1) EOAC for CEAP utility (254-756-0954); (2) AAAHOT for senior services (254-292-1800); (3) Freestone County CIHCP for healthcare (903-389-2635); (4) HOTCOG Rural Transit / The HOP for transportation (254-292-1820); (5) Caritas of Waco and Salvation Army of Waco for additional emergency aid; (6) Mission Waco. Dial 211 for general referrals.

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

How to apply →Official source →211Last verified · October 8, 2026

Healthcare in Freestone County

Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $1,000–$18,000 a year.

Freestone County Indigent Health Care Program (CIHCP)

County · Texas

The Freestone County Indigent Health Care Program (CIHCP) is required by Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 61. Eligibility: Freestone County resident age 18+; household income less than 21% of the Federal Poverty Level; not Medicaid-eligible. PRIMARY HOSPITAL: ETMC (East Texas Medical Center) Fairfield serves Freestone County. Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest and Ascension Providence Waco are the regional tertiary referral hospitals — both have Patient Financial Assistance Programs (typically 200% FPL or broader). Apply by calling Freestone County at 903-389-2635.

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

In this county: Freestone CIHCP at 21% FPL — very strict. ETMC (East Texas Medical Center) Fairfield serves Freestone County. Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest + Ascension Providence (Waco) are regional tertiary referrals.

How to apply →Official source →903-389-2635Last verified · October 12, 2026

Nutrition in Freestone County

Programs here typically provide services worth $1,200–$4,500 a year to an eligible household.

Area Agency on Aging of the Heart of Texas (AAAHOT) — Title III + ADRC (Freestone County)

County · Texas

AAAHOT serves Freestone County seniors age 60+ and their caregivers as part of the 6-county Heart of Texas 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. Through Care Coordination, a AAA case manager can arrange contracted home repairs and modifications (accessibility, safety, structure and weatherization) for low-income homeowners 60 and older living in unsafe or unhealthy homes, plus help buying needed appliances and durable medical equipment. Apply by calling AAAHOT at 254-292-1800 or 800-447-7169.

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

How to apply →Official source →254-292-1800Last verified · October 3, 2026

Transportation in Freestone County

Programs here typically provide services worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.

The HOP (Waco Transit / HOTCOG Rural Transit) — Demand-Response + Fixed-Route (Freestone County)

County · Texas

The HOP and HOTCOG Rural Transit provide transit across Freestone County. The HOP fixed-route bus operates in Waco-Bellmead-Hewitt-Robinson-Woodway-Lacy-Lakeview (urban McLennan); HOTCOG operates rural demand-response across all 6 counties. Seniors 60+ qualify for reduced fares. ADA-eligible riders qualify for paratransit. Apply at waco-texas.com for urban service or call HOTCOG Rural Transit at 254-292-1820.

Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year

How to apply →Official source →254-292-1820Last verified · October 9, 2026

Local agencies serving Freestone County

Who runs the county programs above, and how to reach them. Every line comes from a program record on this page — nothing is added that the catalog does not cite.

Texas and federal programs

Open to eligible households in Freestone County and across the rest of Texas. Full details are on the Texas benefits page.

Money & income4 programs

Cash paid to you, and emergency help when money runs short.

Health & Medicare costs8 programs

Medicaid, Medicare savings, and help with drug and doctor bills.

Food5 programs

SNAP (food stamps), meals, and farmers market coupons.

Home, bills & taxes10 programs

Help with heating and electric bills, rent, property taxes, and home repairs.

Care at home & long-term care4 programs

Help staying in your home, nursing home alternatives, and support for family caregivers.

Help, advice & legal7 programs

Free counseling, legal help, rides, and other senior services.

Veterans3 programs

Benefits for veterans and their surviving spouses.

Nearby counties

Local programs differ from one county to the next. If you live near a county line, or you are helping a parent who lives in one of these, it is worth checking there too.

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Not legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.