How To File A Texas APS Report If You Suspect Abuse Or Neglect

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In this guide, I will help you to understand how to file an APS report in Texas. 

APS is a state-funded social service program that investigates situations where seniors or individuals with disabilities may be experiencing neglect or abuse. 

Whether you are a professional that works with vulnerable populations or you are an involved community member, it’s a good idea to under when and how to make an APS report. This agency can follow up with elderly individuals to help them if they are living in inhumane living conditions. 

I’m Nick Bryant with HoustonCaseManagers.com and I create community resources guides for medical professionals and citizens to help you easily connect to government assistance programs like APS. 

After reading this article you will have a solid understanding of the purpose of this social service program, what type of help they offer, and finally how to make a Texas APS report. 

What Is APS? 

Texas Adult Protective Services is a department that investigates abuse, neglect, and exploitation of seniors and individuals with disabilities.

Editor’s note: APS is managed by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Department. 

APS accepts reports from concerned family members, neighbors, and medical professionals regarding seniors who could be in danger. After the report is made an APS worker will investigate the report to see if there is any cause for concern. 

What Type Of Assistance Is Offered? 

Once APS has determined that someone is experiencing neglect, the organization can step in and help with the following services: 

• Shelter
• Home repairs 
• Food 
• Transportation
• Medical care 
• Money management 
• Home healthcare services
• Mental health 

When Should You Make An APS Report? 

You should make an APS report any time you suspect or witness that a senior or someone with a disability is being abused, neglected or exploited. 

Here are examples of situations that you would want to make an APS referral: 

• Abuse can occur physically, emotionally, or sexually. 
  • Physical abuse is an intentional act that causes injury or death. Physical injury, intimidation, excessive force, or unreasonable confinement are all examples of physical abuse. 
  • Emotional abuse examples are a caregiver or family member threatening, cursing, humiliating a senior/diabled individual to the point that it causes emotional harm.
  • Non-consensual sexual activities is sexual abuse. 
• Neglect – There are 4 types of neglect that would warrant an APS report
  • Self-neglect occurs when the individual cannot take care of themself. Instances, where the person cannot take care of basic needs like getting food, securing shelter, and physically protecting themself from injury, could warrant an APS report. 
  • Neglect by a caregiver might involve emotions/physical injury or even death. 
  • Medical neglect is anytime a senior citizen lacks the medical care or medication to avoid pain. 
  • Mental health neglect is defined as an untreated mental illness that results in abuse, neglect, or exploitation. 
• Exploitation – This is typically seen in financial exploitation where someone is stealing or misusing the senior/disabled individual’s money or property for their own gain. 

Editor’s note: If there is an immediate emergency contact 911 instead of calling APS.

Information Needed To File A Texas APS Report

The more information you can provide the better. These are the main details APS will need to perform a thorough investigation: 

• The name, age, address, and phone number of the senior
• Details about anyone who is abusing the senior
• Information regarding the senior’s current physical and mental health condition
• Are there any ADL (activities of daily living) that the senior cannot perform

Two Ways To File A Texas APS Report

The two ways to file an APS report in Texas are: 

1. By phone
2. Filing online

Texas APS Phone Number / Texas Abuse Hotline

To file a Texas APS report by phone you can call the Texas Abuse Hotline at 800.252.5400. This number accepts calls 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. 

How To File A Texas APS Report Online

To start the process you will need to log on to TXABUSEHOTLINE.ORG.  You will be asked some of the same questions more than once, but this should take you no longer than 20 minutes to complete. 

When completing a Texas APS report online you will encounter the following sections:

• On the Reporter information page will require you to enter your own demographics. Adult Protective Services will use these details to contact you. 
• You will have to choose whether you are reporting an adult or a child.  You can make a CPS report on TXABUSEHOTLINE.ORG  also. 
• Enter all of the client details that you know of. This includes their name, date of birth, address, physical impairments, intellectual disabilities, source of income, and other details.
• Enter any details about someone who knows of the senior/disabled individual’s situation. APS will contact them also to learn more about their situation.
• Explain why you are referring the senior/disabled individual to APS.
• If there are safety concerns regarding weapons or pets that could be a danger to the APS worker, enter those details here.
• Lastly, you will review the details of your report to ensure the information that you are submitting is accurate. 

What Happens After The Report Is Submitted? 

An APS worker will likely follow up with you within 24 hours to learn more about the senior to better understand their needs. 

If there are signs of abuse, neglect, or explanation, the APS caseworker will develop a plan to address those issues. The protective services they offer will depend on the situation. 

Conclusion

If you encounter a situation where a senior citizen or disabled individual is experiencing abuse, neglect, or exploitation, APS is an agency that can investigate. 

APS will assign a case manager who will investigate the claim to see if there is any cause for concern. If there is then APS will work with the senior to formulate a plan to either improve their situation or remove them if they need assistance. 

For more information about filing a Texas APS report, you can visit the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services website or call them at 800.252.5400.