Divisions
Area Agency on Aging
Benefits Counseling Program
What is a Benefits Counselor?
A Benefits Counselor provides information and counseling free of charge to seniors 60 years of age or older, or to Medicare beneficiaries of any age.
The Benefits Counselor helps those who need assistance or have questions about the following:
• Medicare Parts A & B
• Medicare Advantage Plans
• Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D)
• Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, SLMB, QI-1, QDWI)
• Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)
• Social Security Benefits
• Medicaid
• Public Benefits Programs
• Private Insurance Issues
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Advance Directives
• Appeals Representation
• Personal Finance/Credit Issues
• Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) Assistance to help pay for Part D prescription costs
To receive free one-on-one confidential counseling, ask for a Benefits Counselor when you call the Area Agency on Aging of the Capital Area:
1-888-622-9111 Toll free or
(512) 916-6062 Austin local
Eligibility Table for Long Term Care services
Long Term Care assistance is provided through Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS).
Click on Eligibility Table for allowable financial resource amounts and office contact phone numbers.
BenefitsCheckUp®
Web-based screening tool which helps to find local, state and federal programs that can help many people with expenses such as prescription drugs, rent, heating bills, meals and more.
BenefitsCheckUp® is a service of the National Council on Aging (NCOA), a national non-profit organization based in Washington, DC. It’s simple. It’s fast. It’s free. And it’s private.
Hint: “Find More Benefits Programs” will give you the widest variety of programs for which you may be eligible. If you need assistance, please call us and ask for a Benefits Counselor. Our Benefits Counselor can help you complete the CheckUp.
Follow the link below to fill out the confidential questionnaire of your choice.
Other helpful links:
www.medicare.gov (The official U.S. Government site for people with Medicare)
www.cms.hhs.gov (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services)
www.ssa.gov (The official website of the Social Security Administration)
www.hhsc.state.tx.us (Texas Health and Human Services Commission)
www.tdi.state.tx.us (The Texas Department of Insurance)
www.tlsc.org (The Texas Legal Services Center)
Guide to Low Income Subsidy Mailings from CMS, Social Security and Plans: View PDF
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