The Texas Health and Human Services Commission will receive nearly $54 million in federal funds to support older Texans and people with disabilities during the coronavirus response, Gov. Greg Abbott announced in a news release April 23.

The funding will be used to support programs and services administered by the state’s 28 Area Agencies on Aging, such as home-delivered meals, help with household chores, assistance with groceries, and respite care or other services for family caregivers, the release said.

"Older Texans and Texans with disabilities face a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and they need continued support,” Abbott said in the release. “These federal funds will help provide higher risk Texans with additional support and resources to meet their everyday needs while allowing them to stay at home and stay safe.”

Funding will also be used to support the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, which provides advocacy and complaint-resolution services on behalf of residents in long-term care facilities.