Medicaid and waiver programs are public benefits with specific eligibility and service rules.
2-1-1 Texas is the HHSC information and referral service for finding help with food, health, housing, and more. The local 211 Texas/United Way HELPLINE (United Way of Greater Houston) is a free, confidential helpline available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and its specialists provide information and referrals, including public benefits assistance (SNAP Food Benefits, Medicaid, CHIP, TANF) and help finding care for an aging parent.
Source: 211 Texas — Texas Health and Human Services Commission, 2026
Source-checked Oct 22, 2026 · Availability not confirmed
Community Attendant Services (CAS) is a non-technical, non-skilled service providing in-home attendant services to people who need help with personal care tasks: escort to medical appointments, home management (cleaning, laundry, shopping), and personal care (bathing, dressing, grooming, preparing meals, feeding, toileting, and transferring/ambulating).
Source-checked Oct 25, 2026 · Availability not confirmed
Community First Choice (CFC) is the Texas state plan option, administered by HHSC, that enables HHSC to provide attendant and habilitation services for people with disabilities who have STAR+PLUS and STAR Health Medicaid coverage, in their own home or family's home. CFC services and supports include Personal Assistance Services (PAS), Habilitation (HAB), Emergency Response Services (ERS), and Support Management.
Source-checked Oct 24, 2026 · Availability not confirmed
Under the Consumer Managed Personal Attendant Services (CMPAS) program, HHS contracts with licensed agencies to provide personal assistance services to people with physical disabilities who are mentally and emotionally competent and willing to supervise their own attendant. Licensed agencies determine eligibility and the amount of care needed, develop a pool of potential personal assistants, and provide emergency back-up personal assistants.
Source-checked Oct 25, 2026 · Availability not confirmed
The Benefits Counseling Team (also called SHIP / Texas HICAP) provides free and unbiased help with Medicare and helps individuals apply for assistance programs that lower Medicare costs; counselors can also provide legal assistance on long-term care Medicaid eligibility, Qualified Income Trust (QIT) assistance, and advance directives, plus referrals to local legal aid organizations.
Source-checked Oct 22, 2026 · Availability not confirmed
Primary Home Care (PHC) provides non-technical, non-skilled, in-home attendant services to people who have an approved medical need for assistance with personal care tasks. Services include escorting a person to medical appointments for diagnosis and/or treatment, home management to help with housekeeping activities that support the person's health and safety, and personal care related to the care of the person's physical health.
Source-checked Oct 23, 2026 · Availability not confirmed
In STAR+PLUS, members get basic medical services (like doctor visits and medicines) and long-term services and supports (like personal caretaker services) through a medical plan. People who have Medicare and Medicaid can be in STAR+PLUS but keep getting their basic medical services from Medicare and their long-term services and supports through their STAR+PLUS medical plan.
Source-checked Oct 22, 2026 · Availability not confirmed
The Texas Gulf Coast ADRC helps people navigate the complex system of long-term care and support services in the Houston-Galveston region, including information, assistance, and referrals to community resources; housing assistance; objective Medicare information and education; respite care services for family and other unpaid caregivers; and transition planning and counseling.
Source-checked Oct 22, 2026 · Availability not confirmed