Adult Protective Services in Texas

Texas Adult Protective Services (APS), administered by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), investigates abuse, neglect, and exploitation of elderly Texans age 65 and older and adults ages 18 to 64 with qualifying disabilities. Texas has universal mandatory reporting — every resident is legally required to report suspected abuse. To make a report, call 1-800-252-5400 (available 24/7) or report online at txabusehotline.org. For nursing home or facility abuse, see the separate section below regarding the Long-Term Care Ombudsman.

How to Report Elder Abuse in Texas

Texas offers 24/7 phone reporting and online reporting through the Texas Abuse Hotline. For life-threatening emergencies, call 911 first.

Report by Phone

Call 1-800-252-5400 to reach the Texas Abuse Hotline, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. TTY/TDD callers may use Relay Texas at 7-1-1. Intake specialists collect information about the alleged victim and the suspected abuse, assign a priority level, and route the case to the appropriate regional APS office. Reports may be made anonymously, and callers acting in good faith are immune from civil and criminal liability under Human Resources Code § 48.054.

Report Online

Texas accepts online reports at txabusehotline.org, available 24/7. The online portal is appropriate for non-urgent reports. After submitting a report, the system assigns a case number and routes the information to the appropriate APS regional office. For urgent situations, phone reporting is faster. You may also fax reports to 1-800-647-7410.

Emergency Situations

Call 911 immediately if an older adult or adult with a disability is in immediate physical danger. Texas APS is not a first-responder agency. Priority I cases — involving immediate danger or risk of death — receive a face-to-face APS response within 24 hours under Texas DFPS priority guidelines. For nursing home or licensed facility abuse, call the HHSC abuse hotline at 1-800-458-9858 instead of the APS line.

What Information to Have Ready Before You Call

Having the following details available will help the Texas Abuse Hotline assign the correct priority and respond effectively:

• Full name, age, and current address of the person you are concerned about
• A specific description of the suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation — what happened, when, and where
• The name and relationship of the alleged abuser (if known)
• Information about the person's physical or mental health conditions or disabilities
• Names of other witnesses, family members, or care providers with relevant information
• Your own contact information (optional — reports may be anonymous)

Texas Human Resources Code § 48.051 requires every person to report when they have cause to believe abuse is occurring. Proof is not required — reasonable cause is sufficient.

Types of Elder Abuse APS Investigates in Texas

Under Texas Human Resources Code Chapter 48, Texas APS investigates the following categories of abuse, neglect, and exploitation:

• Physical abuse — Intentional infliction of physical pain, injury, or bodily harm, or improper use of physical restraints
• Emotional abuse — Verbal threats, intimidation, humiliation, or conduct causing psychological distress
• Sexual abuse — Non-consensual sexual contact or conduct
• Financial exploitation — Illegal or improper use of a person's money, property, or resources for another person's benefit
• Neglect — Failure by a caregiver to provide essential food, shelter, clothing, medical care, or supervision
• Self-neglect — Failure of an elderly or disabled person to provide for their own essential needs when unable to do so

Warning Signs of Elder Abuse

Abuse and neglect often go unreported because victims are isolated or unable to communicate. Recognizing warning signs is critical.

Physical Signs

• Unexplained bruises, burns, cuts, or injuries — particularly in unusual locations or at various healing stages
• Evidence of improper physical restraint or confinement
• Bedsores, pressure ulcers, or signs of prolonged immobility
• Weight loss, dehydration, or malnutrition without a medical explanation

Behavioral Signs

• Sudden withdrawal from social activities or contact with family and friends
• Fearfulness, hypervigilance, or anxiety around a specific caregiver or individual
• New or unexplained depression, confusion, or behavioral changes
• Reluctance to speak when a caregiver or family member is present

Financial Signs

• Unexplained bank withdrawals, new credit accounts, or changes to financial documents
• Missing personal property, valuables, or checks written to unknown parties
• Unpaid bills or utility shutoffs despite adequate income or assets
• Sudden changes to a will, trust, power of attorney, or beneficiary designations

Who Can (and Must) Report Abuse in Texas

Texas has universal mandatory reporting. Under Human Resources Code § 48.051, every person who has cause to believe that an elderly or disabled adult is being abused, neglected, or exploited is legally required to make a report to the Texas Abuse Hotline. This requirement applies to all Texas residents, not just professionals.

Failure to report suspected abuse is a Class A misdemeanor under HR Code § 48.052 — and in certain cases involving professional licenses or specific aggravating circumstances, can be elevated to a state jail felony. Good-faith reporters are protected from civil and criminal liability under HR Code § 48.054. Reports, reporter identity, and investigation records are confidential under HR Code § 48.101.

What Happens After You Report to APS in Texas

Texas APS uses a four-tier priority response system based on the level of risk to the alleged victim. All cases are initiated within 24 hours of receipt.

Step 1 — Intake Screening

The Texas Abuse Hotline reviews the report to determine whether the alleged victim meets eligibility criteria — elderly (65+) or adult with a disability — and whether the reported conduct constitutes abuse, neglect, or exploitation under HR Code Chapter 48. The case is assigned a priority level.

Step 2 — Response Timeline

Texas DFPS uses the following four-tier priority system for APS response:

• Priority I (immediate danger, risk of death): face-to-face contact with the victim within 24 hours
• Priority II (victim at serious risk): face-to-face contact within 3 days
• Priority III (victim at moderate risk): face-to-face contact within 7 days
• Priority IV (financial exploitation, no immediate physical danger): face-to-face contact within 14 days

All cases, regardless of priority, are initiated within 24 hours of the report being received.

Step 3 — Investigation

An APS caseworker makes in-person contact with the alleged victim to assess safety, living conditions, and capacity. The caseworker interviews the victim, caregivers, family members, neighbors, and medical professionals as needed. Texas APS coordinates with law enforcement when criminal activity is identified, and with the Texas Attorney General's office for financial exploitation cases involving significant assets.

Step 4 — Client Service Plan and Outcome

When the investigation substantiates abuse, neglect, or exploitation — or identifies an at-risk individual — Texas APS develops a Client Service Plan in collaboration with the adult. The plan may include home care, emergency shelter, medical and mental health referrals, financial management services, and legal assistance. Adults with decision-making capacity retain the right to refuse services. For adults lacking capacity who face serious risk, Texas APS may seek an Emergency Order for Protective Services through the courts or refer the case for guardianship proceedings.

APS vs. Long-Term Care Ombudsman — Who Handles Nursing Home Abuse in Texas?

Texas APS investigates abuse in community settings — private homes, unlicensed residential environments, and similar non-facility settings. For abuse occurring inside a licensed nursing facility, assisted living facility, or other licensed long-term care setting, do not call the APS line — contact the HHSC abuse hotline at 1-800-458-9858, which handles facility-based complaints.

For advocacy and complaint resolution within licensed facilities, contact the Texas Long-Term Care Ombudsman at 1-800-252-2412 or visit hhs.texas.gov/ombudsman. The Ombudsman is an independent advocate for nursing home and assisted living residents. For a comprehensive guide to filing a nursing home complaint in Texas.

Additional Resources in Texas

• Texas Abuse Hotline: 1-800-252-5400 (24/7) | txabusehotline.org
• HHSC Abuse Hotline (nursing facilities): 1-800-458-9858
• Texas Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 1-800-252-2412
• Texas DFPS Adult Protection
• National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311)
• Eldercare Locator (national): 1-800-677-1116
• National Center on Elder Abuse

For concerns involving a licensed nursing home or care facility in Texas, the Texas Nursing Home Complaint Guide explains the full reporting process, including which agency handles which types of complaints.