Greater Houston resource guide

Medicaid / waiver in Harris County

Medicaid and waiver programs are public benefits with specific eligibility and service rules.

211 Texas

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

Care Connection Aging & Disability Resource Center

The Care Connection Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is a trusted access point for information, resources, and services that support older adults, individuals of all ages with disabilities, and their caregivers, making it easier to navigate community programs, long-term services, and supports. It is funded by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and operates in partnership with the Houston Health Department's Harris County Area Agency on Aging.

Source-checked Oct 25, 2026 · Availability not confirmed

Community Attendant Services

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

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

Consumer Managed Personal Attendant Services

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

Primary Home Care

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

STAR+PLUS

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

Browse all resources