Senior benefits in Real County, Texas

Real 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

Real 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) Real County CIHCP / Val Verde Regional / Uvalde Memorial for healthcare (830-232-5304); (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 Real County Indigent Health Care Program (CIHCP) is required by Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 61 for low-income residents. Eligibility: Real 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 Uvalde (UMH), Kerrville (Peterson), or San Antonio 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 Real County at 830-232-5304.

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

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

MRGDC AAA serves Real 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 Real County, open to the general public. Routes go to Uvalde every Thursday ($20 round trip), 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. To book a ride, call SWART at 1-800-499-1617.

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