Houston has many programs that help senior citizens with food, utilities, and social services.
The City of Houston works with government, private sector, and university programs to offer its senior citizens services in a wide range of areas including health, nutrition, legal and social services. In addition, leisure time activities are offered through the senior centers that operate as part of the city's neighborhood centers.
Legal
Texas Legal Services Center (TLSC) offers a legal hotline where senior citizens can get self-help legal advice and referrals. Although this service is based in Austin, it serves seniors all over the state, including those in Houston. Seniors must be at least 60 years old to qualify for this service. Another program that TLSC offers is the Texas Elder Exploitation Project that helps seniors who have been taken advantage of financially.
Food Programs
Interfaith Ministries' administers Meals on Wheels, a program that delivers food to homebound seniors who are at least 60 years old. Meals include an entr e, two servings of fruit or vegetables, bread, milk and either fruit or dessert. There's no cost for this service. Another food program, operated by the Houston Housing Authority and the Houston Food Bank, provides a monthly box of food to seniors who live at different Houston Housing Authority communities. Boxes contain cheese and canned goods.
Raising Grandchildren
According to the Texas Dept. of Aging and Disability Services, more than 8 percent of children in the United States are being raised by a grandparent. Houston grandparents who are raising grandchildren can get help from the Texas Kincare Taskforce. The Taskforce will refer grandparents to sources of on-going assistance such as Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, food stamps and other programs. In addition, the taskforce has published a primer that gives seniors information about their rights and responsibilities while caring for a grandchild, as well as references for additional help.
Neighborhood Centers
Houston has 20 senior neighborhood centers located throughout the city. In addition to providing meals and nutritional education, the centers offer information about legislative issues of interest to seniors, dance classes, arts and crafts, games, and field trips. Seasonal and cultural celebrations are also provided.
W.A.T.E.R.
Senior citizens who need help paying their water and wastewater bills can get help from the W.A.T.E.R. Fund. Low-income seniors who are 60 years old or older, and are residential utility customers of Houston, are eligible for this program if they live in a single-family dwelling. Qualified recipients can have up to $100 applied to their water bill every six months.
Smoke Detectors
The Houston Fire Department offers a free smoke detector to senior citizens who live in their own home within Houston's city limits. The Fire Department will also install the smoke detector at no cost. More information is available from the Houston Fire Department's Public Affairs Office.
Tags: senior citizens, Fire Department, this service, help from, Housing Authority
