Fabens Health & Human Services office to close

It was a heated town hall meeting in Fabens Monday evening with residents upset over the closure of the Health and Human Services in the town.

HHS offices are crucial because that is where residents apply for state benefits like Medicaid, CHIP and food stamps.

Officials with State Representative Mary Gonzalez’s office said 56 offices statewide will be closing after $26 billion in budget cuts across the state and more than $3 billion in cuts for HHS.

At the meeting Monday, Gonzalez said the Texas legislature made the decision in 2011 before she was in office.

Gonzalez and Senator Jose Rodriguez held the town hall meeting to tell residents where they can get assistance.

The services will continue residents will have to go to other locations, most of them outside of Fabens.

They’re closing these centers down and creating contracts with organizations that have an interest in the community. People will go to these organizations like the food bank, head start, Region 19 and get their services,” said Rep. Gonzalez.

Some residents said they feel their town is being ignored and others are concerned about the elderly, who may not have the means to go to other locations.

Rep. Gonzalez said residents can call 211 to find out about the new HHS satellite offices.

The Fabens office is set to close at the end of August.