Health Information, Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP)
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling in Texas. Trained counselors go through your costs and choices with you, and they don't sell plans.
Medicare and health costs
Texas Medicaid in Texas
Texas Medicaid can pay health costs Medicare doesn't for people 65 and older with very low income and savings, using the SSI limits.
Texas has a much higher income limit, $2,982 a month, for people in nursing homes, on home and community-based waivers, or getting Community Attendant Services at home. You can apply online at YourTexasBenefits.com or by calling 2-1-1.
How to apply in Texas
- Online
- yourtexasbenefits.com
- By phone
- 211
Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.
Apply on the official siteWho may qualify in Texas
| One person | Married couple | |
|---|---|---|
| Income limit (2026) | $994 a month (the SSI federal benefit rate) | $1,491 a month (the SSI federal benefit rate) Source: Texas Health and Human Services Commission (source 1) |
| Savings limit (2026) | $2,000 | $3,000 Source: Texas Health and Human Services Commission (source 1) |
| Spend-down if your income is over the limit | No: Texas's medically needy program covers only pregnant women and children, not older adults Source: KFF (source 3) |
|---|---|
| Income limit for nursing-home or home-care Medicaid (2026) | $2,982 a month for one person, $5,964 for a couple (300% of the SSI rate), for nursing facilities, home and community-based waivers and Community Attendant Services; savings limit $2,000 / $3,000 Source: Texas Health and Human Services Commission (source 1) |
| Medicaid for adults under 65 (expansion) | No: Texas has not expanded Medicaid to low-income adults under 65 Source: KFF (source 4) |
How Texas is different
Where Texas's rules differ from the federal rules for Medicaid for people with Medicare.
- Help at home through Community Attendant Services, with the same income limit as nursing-home care
Source: Texas Health and Human Services Commission (source 1)
Good to know
- Nursing-facility residents keep a personal needs allowance of $75 a month.
Source: Texas Health and Human Services Commission (source 1)
Free help
Free help with this in Texas
Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in Texas
Medicaid for older adults in another state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
- Texas Health and Human Services Commission, MEPD Handbook Appendix XXXI, Budget Reference Chart (Revision 26-2, June 1, 2026) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Texas Health and Human Services Commission, MEPD Handbook B-3200, Application Requirements (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- KFF, Medicaid Eligibility Levels for Older Adults and People with Disabilities (Non-MAGI) in 2026. Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- KFF, Status of State Medicaid Expansion Decisions. Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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