Senior benefits in Kinney County, Texas

Kinney 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.

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

Kinney 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) Kinney County CIHCP / Val Verde Regional / Uvalde Memorial for healthcare (830-563-2240); (4) Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Laredo or San Antonio; (5) Salvation Army Del Rio or Uvalde. Dial 211 for general referrals.

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

The Kinney County Indigent Health Care Program (CIHCP) is required by Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 61 for low-income residents. Eligibility: Kinney County resident age 18+; household income less than 21% of the Federal Poverty Level; not Medicaid-eligible. PRIMARY HOSPITAL: No hospital in county; residents access Del Rio (Val Verde Regional) or Uvalde (UMH) hospitals. 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 Kinney County at 830-563-2240.

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

In this county: Kinney CIHCP at 21% FPL — very strict. No hospital in county; residents access Del Rio (Val Verde Regional) or Uvalde (UMH) hospitals. Val Verde Regional Medical Center (300% FPL FAP, Del Rio) is the regional generous referral.

MRGDC AAA serves Kinney 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.

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

The Southwest Area Regional Transit District (SWART) is the rural public transit district for Kinney County, open to the general public. Local rides in Brackettville run every Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon ($2.00 per destination). Routes go to San Antonio Monday through Friday in the morning and on Tuesday afternoons ($30.00 round trip), to Uvalde on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month ($20.00 round trip), and to Del Rio on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday ($20.00 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. To book a ride, call SWART at 1-800-499-1617.

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