Muleshoe, Texas

Start here: Bailey County Senior Citizens Center — (806) 272-4969

For nearly 45 years the Senior Center has been Muleshoe's hub for meals, transportation, and community connection. For deeper benefits counseling and caregiver support, the South Plains Aging & Disability Resource Center (1-855-937-2372) covers all of Bailey County.

Federal Nutrition: How to apply for SNAP and CSFP in state

Two federal programs put food and grocery dollars directly in seniors' hands: SNAP (food benefits you can spend at grocery stores) and CSFP (a free monthly box of shelf-stable and canned foods for adults 60+). Both are administered locally and both are worth applying for even if you're unsure you'll qualify — income limits are higher than most people expect.

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)

SNAP provides a monthly EBT card seniors use like a debit card for groceries. Texas residents 60 and older, including those on a fixed income or Social Security, can qualify — and households with an elderly (60+) or disabled member get a higher asset limit and extra medical-expense deductions that often increase the benefit amount.

• Apply online: Create an account and complete Form H1010 (fastest method; upload documents and check status the same way) YourTexasBenefits.com ↗
• Apply by phone: 2-1-1 Texas, option 2 (or 877-541-7905) — a caseworker can take the application over the phone, which is often easiest for seniors or caregivers 211texas.org ↗
• Apply in person or by mail: Because Muleshoe is a small rural community, the nearest HHSC benefits office may be in a neighboring town — call 2-1-1 first to confirm the current closest location Texas HHS – SNAP ↗
• What you'll need: Photo ID, Social Security numbers for household members, proof of income (Social Security/pension award letters), and housing/utility costs
• Interview: Most applicants complete a required phone interview with an HHSC caseworker after applying
• Timeline: Standard applications are decided within 30 days; households with very low income/resources can qualify for expedited service within about 7 days
• Help applying: The South Plains ADRC and the SPCAA Bailey County Center can walk seniors through the SNAP application at no cost southplainsadrc.org ↗

SNAP income and asset limits are adjusted annually — a benefits counselor at 2-1-1 or the ADRC can give you the current figures and estimate what you'd receive before you apply.

CSFP (Commodity Supplemental Food Program)

CSFP is a separate USDA program specifically for adults 60 and older (no SNAP application required, though you can receive both). Once a month, participants pick up a free box of foods such as canned fruit and vegetables, cereal, pasta, canned meat or fish, cheese, and juice.

• Eligibility: Age 60+ and income at or below 130% of the federal poverty level — confirm current figures with the local agency
• Local agency: South Plains Food Bank Senior Box Program — 5605 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Lubbock, TX 79404, (806) 763-3003 — Bailey County (including Muleshoe) is part of the Food Bank's 25-county service area spfb.org/senior-program ↗
• How to apply: Complete the online Senior Box referral form or call (806) 763-3003; ask whether a Muleshoe-area distribution point is currently available or whether pickup/delivery is arranged out of Lubbock Senior Box referral form ↗

CSFP availability in smaller communities like Muleshoe can depend on caseload and local distribution partners — the South Plains ADRC (1-855-937-2372) can help confirm what's currently open and connect you if there's a wait.

State and Local Nutrition: Local meals on wheels, food pantries, community meals, etc.

Home-Delivered Meals (Meals on Wheels)

Muleshoe has its own registered nonprofit meal-delivery program, and the Bailey County Senior Citizens Center is closely connected to local senior meal services.

• Muleshoe Meals on Wheels, Inc.: A locally registered nonprofit delivering meals to homebound elderly residents and conducting wellness checks; 806-272-3647
  • Contact Judy in The Office of Aging (300 S. 1^st Street, Ste 110, Muleshoe, TX 79347, jcoffman@co.bailey.tx.us)
• Bailey County Senior Citizens Center — congregate & delivered meals: 319 S. Main St., Muleshoe, TX 79347 — (806) 272-4969 — nutritious meals, transportation, recreation, and community connection for Bailey County seniors for over 45 years baileycountyseniorcenter.org ↗

For a program this size in a small town, calling ahead is especially important — capacity and delivery routes can be limited.

Food Pantries in Muleshoe

Free groceries and pantry staples — no SNAP enrollment required. Hours change seasonally in small communities, so call before visiting.

• BCMA Food Pantry (Ministerial Alliance of Bailey County): a coalition of local Muleshoe churches; call 2-1-1 or a member church such as First Baptist Church of Muleshoe, (806) 272-4224, to confirm the current distribution schedule
• South Plains Food Bank — Mobile Pantry: Periodic free food distributions reach Bailey County as part of the Food Bank's 25-county service area — check the current schedule for a stop near Muleshoe spfb.org/mobile-pantry ↗
• South Plains Food Bank — main facility: 5605 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Lubbock, TX 79404 — (806) 763-3003 — partners with agencies across the region, including Bailey County spfb.org ↗

2-1-1 Texas (dial 2-1-1) is often the fastest way to find same-day food help in a small town like Muleshoe, and can also connect you to SNAP, WIC, and TANF.

Elder Care: Caregiver assistance, local area on aging, etc.

Bailey County's aging-services system runs through the same regional network that serves all of the South Plains: the Aging & Disability Resource Center connects seniors and caregivers to the Area Agency on Aging's programs, while SPCAA's local Bailey County office handles case management and household assistance in Muleshoe itself.

South Plains Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC)

• What it does: A single free call that screens for and connects seniors, adults with disabilities, and caregivers to benefits counseling, in-home care options, housing navigation, and long-term-care planning southplainsadrc.org ↗
• Phone: 1-855-937-2372 (toll-free)
• Address: 6811 Indiana Ave., Ste. B, Lubbock, TX 79413 (serves Bailey County by phone — no need to travel to Lubbock for most services)

Area Agency on Aging of the South Plains (SPAG)

The AAA is administered by the South Plains Association of Governments and funds and coordinates services for adults 60+ across the region, including Bailey County:

• Family Caregiver Support Program — respite care, caregiver training, and support groups for people caring for an aging spouse, parent, or relative
• Care Coordination Program — case management for seniors who want to stay in their own home
• Benefits Counseling — help understanding and applying for Medicare, Medicaid, and other benefits
• Ombudsman Program — advocacy for residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities
• Phone: (806) 762-8721 or 1-888-418-6564 spag.org ↗
• Family Caregiver Support Program Coordinator: Lisa Gonzales, (806) 687-0940

SPCAA Bailey County Center (local office in Muleshoe)

• Address / phone: 804 West America Blvd., Muleshoe, TX 79347 — (806) 224-2899 spcaa.org ↗
• Case management / Transition Out of Poverty assistance for individuals and families working toward self-sufficiency
• A local, in-person point of contact for several of the utility, weatherization, and transportation programs described in Sections 4 and 5

Other Elder Care Contacts

• 2-1-1 Texas: Statewide backup line for benefits, long-term care, and Medicaid waiver questions 211texas.org ↗
• Adult Protective Services (elder abuse/neglect concerns): 1-800-252-5400 (24-hour statewide hotline) dfps.texas.gov ↗

Transportation: Senior transportation

Muleshoe has no city bus system, but rural public transit and the Senior Center both offer rides for older adults.

SPARTAN Public Transportation

• How it works: Curb-to-curb rural transit across a 17-county South Plains district that includes Bailey County; door-to-door options are available for seniors and people with disabilities spartanpublictransit.com ↗
• Scheduled routes between towns, commuter service with standing reservations, and traditional demand-response pickups outside the scheduled routes
• Book at least 24 hours in advance, first-come first-served; pickups typically arrive within about 15 minutes of the scheduled time
• Fares: Vary by trip type and distance and are not published in a simple table — call SPARTAN directly to confirm the current fare for a trip to or from Muleshoe
• Phone: (806) 894-3800 or 1-800-462-8747 — spartaninfo@spcaa.org
• Book online: Customer portal for scheduling rides Book a ride ↗

Bailey County Senior Citizens Center Transportation

• How it works: The Senior Center itself offers transportation as part of its core services for Bailey County seniors — call to ask about rides to the center, medical appointments, or errands baileycountyseniorcenter.org ↗
• Phone: (806) 272-4969

Other Transportation Help

• Non-emergency medical transportation (Medicaid): If you have Medicaid, your managed care plan covers rides to medical appointments — call the member services number on your Medicaid card, or ask the ADRC (1-855-937-2372) for a referral

• Healthcare Assistance:
  • https://www.healthwellfoundation.org/
• Rx Assistance:
  • https://www.needymeds.org/
  • https://www.goodrx.com/insurance/medicare
  • https://costplusdrugs.com/
• Medicare Rx Assistance:
  • https://www.medicare.gov/plan-compare/#/pharmaceutical-assistance-program?lang=en&year=2023
  • https://www.medicare.gov/basics/costs/help/drug-costs
• Insulin Assistance:
  • https://insulinhelp.org/
• EyeCare America: eligible patients can receive a free eye exam plus a one year follow up for any condition diagnosed in the initial exam.
  • EyeCare America - American Academy of Ophthalmology (aao.org)
• National Institute of Health: provides information for several organizations that can assist with eye exams, eyeglasses, and eye-related prescriptions.
  • Get Free or Low-Cost Eye Care | National Eye Institute (nih.gov)
• National Ramp: provides information and resources for obtaining a ramp.
  • Ramp Resources | National Ramp Home Access
• Paying for Senior Care: provides information for state assistance programs for Durable Medical Equipment.
  • State Assistance Programs for Durable Medical Equipment (payingforseniorcare.com)

• Veterans Crisis Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 (Veterans- press 1)
• Adult Maltreatment Hotline: 800-482-8049
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
  • Hours: 24/7. Languages: English, Spanish, and 200+ through interpretation service
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration or SAMHSA's National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
  • https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
• Crisis Services & Suicide Prevention: Dial 988
  • https://988lifeline.org/

Housing: Rental assistance, home cleaning and repair assistance, utility assistance, etc.

Rental Assistance

• Muleshoe Housing Authority: 301 E. 6th St., Muleshoe, TX 79347 — (806) 272-5560 — public housing serving low-income Muleshoe residents, including seniors
• Call directly to ask about current waitlist status and application requirements
• Emergency rent help: 2-1-1 Texas or the SPCAA Bailey County Center can screen for whichever local or regional rental-assistance fund is currently accepting applications 211texas.org ↗

Utility Assistance

CEAP helps pay electric, gas, and propane bills, with priority given to households with an elderly or disabled member. In Muleshoe, this runs through SPCAA's local office.

• SPCAA Bailey County Center — CEAP (Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program): 804 West America Blvd., Muleshoe, TX 79347 — (806) 224-2899 — utility assistance for income-eligible households, prioritizing elderly and disabled residents spcaa.org ↗
• Bailey County Electric Cooperative — financial assistance: Members facing hardship should ask their cooperative directly about bill-assistance or round-up programs bcecoop.com ↗

Home Repair & Weatherization

• SPCAA Weatherization Assistance Program: 804 West America Blvd., Muleshoe, TX 79347 — (806) 224-2899 — free weatherization (insulation, air sealing, minor repairs) for income-eligible homes, prioritizing seniors and people with disabilities; available through the same Bailey County Center that handles CEAP spcaa.org ↗
• Home cleaning / chore assistance: Ask the South Plains ADRC (1-855-937-2372) or the Area Agency on Aging for a referral to in-home chore and light-housekeeping services covered for eligible low-income seniors southplainsadrc.org ↗

No Habitat for Humanity chapter or major-repair grant program specific to Muleshoe was found — the ADRC and SPCAA's Bailey County Center are the best starting points for anything beyond weatherization, and may know of a current regional program.

Enrichment: Senior centers, community activities, etc.

In a town the size of Muleshoe, the Bailey County Senior Citizens Center is the anchor for senior social life, alongside the town's churches and civic organizations.

Bailey County Senior Citizens Center

• Address / phone: 319 S. Main St., Muleshoe, TX 79347 — (806) 272-4969 baileycountyseniorcenter.org ↗
• Congregate meals and social dining
• Recreation and community-connection activities for Bailey County seniors
• Over 45 years of continuous service to the community
• Facebook page: Muleshoe Senior Citizens Center — event announcements and updates facebook.com/MuleshoeSeniors ↗

Other Enrichment Options

• Muleshoe Area Public Library often hosts free programs and reading groups open to seniors — ask about current offerings
• Faith communities across Muleshoe (including First Baptist Church and other members of the Ministerial Alliance of Bailey County) often run their own senior fellowship groups and outings
• The Muleshoe Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture calendar lists community-wide events, festivals, and civic activities open to all ages
• AARP's regional programming and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension's Bailey County office may offer additional classes or health/wellness programming for older adults — the ADRC can help with a referral

Quick-Reference Directory

Every organization in this guide, in one place — call the first number when in doubt, or tap the link to open the website.

This guide was compiled in August 2026 from public sources and organization websites. In a small community like Muleshoe, hours, contact numbers, and program availability can change quickly — the Bailey County Senior Citizens Center and 2-1-1 Texas are both reliable starting points if any number in this guide is out of date.