Senior benefits in Wood County, Texas

Wood County's energy bill help (CEAP) is run by Greater East Texas Community Action Program (GETCAP) in Nacogdoches. It provides a usually one-time payment toward utility, water and electric bills; the target groups are older adults, people with disabilities, households with children under six and working low-income families. Household income must be at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. Call GETCAP at 800-621-5746 or the TDHCA CEAP line at 800-525-0657.

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

Wood County operates a referral-and-coordination emergency aid framework: (1) TDHCA CEAP subrecipient for utility (800-525-0657); (2) ETCOG AAA for senior services (1-800-442-8845); (3) Wood County CIHCP / UT Health East Texas / CHRISTUS Health for healthcare (903-763-2716); (4) GoBus for transportation (1-800-590-3371); (5) Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Tyler; (6) Salvation Army Tyler or Longview. Dial 211 for general referrals.

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

The Wood County Indigent Health Care Program (CIHCP) is required by Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 61 for low-income residents. Eligibility: Wood 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: UT Health Quitman; CHRISTUS Mother Frances Sulphur Springs. UT Health East Texas (Tyler) and CHRISTUS Health (Tyler/Longview) are the regional tertiary referral hospitals — both offer their own Financial Assistance Programs for households above CIHCP threshold. Apply by calling Wood County at 903-763-2716.

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

In this county: Wood CIHCP at 21% FPL — very strict. UT Health Quitman; CHRISTUS Mother Frances Sulphur Springs. UT Health East Texas (Tyler) is the tertiary referral; UT Health's Financial Assistance Policy provides broader 204-322% FPL coverage for households above CIHCP threshold.

ETCOG AAA serves Wood County seniors age 60+ and their caregivers. Services include Information and Referral, Benefits Counseling (HICAP/SHIP Medicare), Case Management, Health Education, Senior Nutrition Programs (Congregate Meals + Home-Delivered Meals), Housing Repair, Caregiver Support, and Ombudsman Advocacy. Home-delivered meals are for people 60 or older who are homebound due to illness or disability. Apply by calling 1-800-442-8845 or visiting easttexasaaa.org. Office: 3800 Stone Road, Kilgore TX 75662.

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

GoBus is the rural demand-response public transit system for Wood County, operated by the East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG). GoBus serves all East Texas citizens including the general public, persons over 60, students, persons with disabilities, veterans, and active military. Fares: $2 per trip. Seniors 60+ may qualify for reduced fares. Veterans receive free trips through a specific GoBus initiative. GoBus operates ~30 vehicles making 500-800 trips/day, 5 days/week across 10,000 sq mi. Book rides by calling 903-215-8870 or online at gobustransit.com (typically 24-48 hours advance notice).

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