Government Resources

QUICK LINKS - Key Government Sites - FEDERAL

Medicare – The official U.S. Government site for Medicare.

Medicaid - Find Medicaid and CHIP coverage, by state.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

US Administration on the Aging – home and community-based services for senior citizens.

US Department of Health and Human Services – this site, Healthfinder.gov, features links to more than 6,000 government and nonprofit health information resources on hundreds of health topics including personalized health tools such as health calculators, activity and menu planners, recipes and online checkups.

US Department of Housing and Urban Development – runs all federal housing assistance programs.

National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information - The National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information is primarily intended as an information and planning resource for individuals who don't yet require long-term care, but it includes information on services and financing options that can be helpful to all individuals.

Resources for Veterans and Their Caregivers

US Department of Veteran Affairs - special programs, services and support for veteans and their caregivers.

National Resource Directory - Connecting wounded warriors, service members, veterans and their families with those who support them. There is a wealth of information and resources concerning the following and more.

Benefits and Compensation
Family & Caregivers Support
Health
Housing and Loan Information

Prostetics and Sensory Aids Service (PSAS) The mission of the Prosthetic & Sensory Aids Service (PSAS) is to provide comprehensive support to optimize health and independence of the Veteran. PSAS strives to be a premier source of prosthetic and orthotic services, sensory aids, medical equipment, and support services for Veterans.

If you have a general question regarding artificial limbs/orthotics, automobile adaptive equipment, clothing allowance, durable medical equipment, eyeglasses, hearing aids, HISA, home oxygen, wheelchairs or any other PSAS related device/service please contact us via IRIS at https://iris.va.gov.

Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) Under the Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) program, Veterans with service-connected disabilities or Veterans with non-service-connected disabilities may receive assistance for any home improvement necessary for the continuation of treatment or for disability access to the home and essential lavatory and sanitary facilities.

A HISA grant is available to Veterans who have received a medical determination indicating that improvements and structural alterations are necessary or appropriate for the effective and economical treatment of his/her disability. A Veteran may receive both a HISA grant and either a Special Home Adaptation (SHA) grant or a Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant. Visit the site for more information and a helpful video.

Automobile Adaptive Equipment (AAE) The Automobile Adaptive Equipment (AAE) program permits physically challenged persons to enter, exit, and/or operate a motor vehicle or other conveyance. Veterans are trained, through the VA Driver's Rehabilitation Program, how to safely operate their vehicle on our nation's roadways.

The VA also provides necessary equipment such as platform wheelchair lifts, UVLs (under vehicle lifts), power door openers, lowered floors/raised roofs, raised doors, hand controls, left foot gas pedals, reduced effort and zero effort steering and braking, and digital driving systems. Additionally, VA's program provides reimbursements for standard equipment including, but not limited to, power steering, power brakes, power windows, power seats, and other special equipment necessary for the safe operation of an approved vehicle.

Other State and National Government Links

National Institute on Aging Leading the federal effort on aging research. http://www.nia.nih.gov

NIHSeniorHealth Health information for older adults. This website for older adults was developed by the National Institute on Aging and the National Library of Medicine, both part of the National Institutes of Health. It is designed to be used by people with low vision, can be enlarged and has voice. http://nihseniorhealth.gov

The Resource Directory for Older People

Social Security Online The official web site for the Social Security Administration. http://www.ssa.gov

Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services Information and resources for older Texans and their families. http://www.dads.state.tx.us/index.cfm

Texas Silver Haired Legislature The Texas Silver-Haired Legislature strives to promote good government for all Texans by directly involving Senior citizens in the legislative process. TSHL provides a nonpartisan forum for discussion and debate of Senior issues, advocacy training and an avenue through which older citizens may serve as a resource to both public and private sectors.

U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging The Special Committee on Aging serves as a focal point in the Senate for discussion and debate on matters relating to older Americans. Often, the Committee will submit its findings and recommendations for legislation to the Senate. In addition, the Committee publishes materials of assistance to those interested in public policies which relate to the elderly. http://aging.senate.gov/index.cfm?Fuseaction=Home.Home

Information from the National Governor's Association: National Governor's Association The National Governors Association (NGA) is the collective voice of the nation's governors and one of Washington, D.C.'s, most respected public policy organizations. NGA provides governors and their senior staff members with services that range from representing states on Capitol Hill and before the Administration on key federal issues to developing policy reports on innovative state programs and hosting networking seminars for state government executive branch officials. The NGA Center for Best Practices focuses on state innovations and best practices on issues that range from education and health to technology, welfare reform, and the environment. NGA also provides management and technical assistance to both new and incumbent governors. http://www.nga.org

Healthy Aging and States: Making Wellness the Rule, Not the Exception Healthy aging can be the rule, not the exception. Poor health and long periods of dependence and disability are not inevitable consequences of aging. Although chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes are common and costly, many such conditions are preventable and others can be managed to minimize complications. Learn how to prevent such conditions and see what data has been collected in regards to this issue. http://www.subnet.nga.org/ci/1-aging.html