Does Texas Medicaid pay for assisted living?
Yes, for the care part. In Texas, STAR+PLUS Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) can pay for care in assisted living. Rent and meals are generally paid by the resident. There can be a waitlist.
Texas · checked September 2026
Senior care help in Texas
How Texas helps pay for long-term care, who to call when you need help or something's wrong, and how to check a facility before you sign.
The first question
Is there public help paying for assisted living in Texas?
Yes, for the care. STAR+PLUS Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) helps pay for care in assisted living. Rent and meals are usually still paid by the resident, often from Social Security. There can be a waitlist, so ask to be screened early, before savings run out.
Paying for senior care in Texas
Texas's Medicaid rules for long-term care, and the programs that pay for care outside a nursing home.
Monthly income limit
$2,982
2026
Special income limit for one person, effective Jan. 1, 2026 (HHSC handbook Revision 26-1). People with income above this can still qualify for nursing home or waiver Medicaid by setting up a Qualified Income Trust (Miller trust). Personal needs allowance in a nursing facility is $75/month.
Asset limit (single person)
$2,000
2026
Resource limit for one person, effective Jan. 1, 2026.
If income is over the limit
Texas uses a hard income cap. People over it can still qualify by putting the extra income into a Qualified Income Trust (a "Miller trust") each month.
Apply for Texas Medicaid (long-term care for people 65+ is delivered through STAR+PLUS)
Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)
STAR+PLUS Home and Community Based Services (HCBS)
Can pay in assisted livingTexas Medicaid's managed care program for adults 65+ and adults with disabilities. Its HCBS part can pay for care services in an assisted living facility, plus in-home help, so a parent can avoid or leave a nursing home. It does not pay rent or meals in assisted living.
Waitlist: Yes. People not already on Medicaid are placed on the STAR+PLUS HCBS interest list (call HHSC Interest List Management at 1-877-438-5658). If your parent is already on Medicaid with a STAR+PLUS health plan, or lives in a nursing home, ask HHSC whether they can get services without waiting on the list. Ask HHSC about the current wait time.
Who to call in Texas
Free, and on your side. Start with the aging office if you don't know where to begin.
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Aging Services
Start hereThe state's aging office and its local agencies explain your options, screen for programs and help with applications.
Texas State Long-Term Care Ombudsman
A free, independent advocate for residents of nursing homes and assisted living. Call about any problem with care, rights, billing or a discharge.
Report abuse, neglect or exploitation
Adult protective servicesYou don't need proof to report. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.
HICAP (Health Information, Counseling and Advocacy Program)
Unbiased Medicare help from counselors who don't sell anything: plans, bills, appeals, and programs that lower costs.
How to check a Texas assisted living or nursing home
In Texas, assisted living is licensed as: Assisted Living Facility (licensed as Type A or Type B). Read inspection reports before you sign anything.
Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), Long-term Care Regulation
Confirm a community's license here, and ask the agency how to see its inspection reports.
File a complaint
Nursing homes
Medicare rates every nursing home on staffing, inspections and quality, with full inspection reports.
Texas veterans homes and benefits
State veterans homes are often far cheaper than private care for eligible veterans and, in many states, their spouses.
Texas Veterans Land Board (Texas General Land Office), which runs the Texas State Veterans Homes
Lamun-Lusk-Sanchez Texas State Veterans Home
Big Spring
skilled nursing, memory care
The Tuskegee Airmen Texas State Veterans Home
Fort Worth
skilled nursing, memory care
Free legal help and paperwork in Texas
Legal Hotline for Texans (Texas Legal Services Center)
Free legal help for older adults on issues like benefits, housing, powers of attorney and elder abuse.
Documents and forms
Texas senior care questions
What is the Medicaid asset limit in Texas?
$2,000 for a single person (2026). Resource limit for one person, effective Jan. 1, 2026.
Who do I call with a complaint about an assisted living or nursing home in Texas?
The Texas State Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 800-252-2412. It's free and independent.
National help that works in Texas too
Senior living in Texas cities
Senior care guides for other states
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- Vermont
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- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
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Researched from 33 sources, official pages first. Last checked .