How Can I Report Abuse, Neglect or Exploitation?

Call 800-458-9858 to report suspected abuse or neglect in these provider types:

You can call this number to report abuse that occurs in:

  • Abortion Centers
  • Ambulatory Surgical Centers
  • Assisted living facilities
  • Birthing Centers
  • Clinical Laboratories
  • Community Mental Health Centers
  • Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facilities
  • Crisis Stabilization Units
  • Day activity and health services (DAHS)
  • DAHS with Individualized Skills and Socialization
  • Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care Centers
  • End Stage Renal Disease Facilities
  • General, Special and Psychiatric Hospitals
  • Home health
  • Intermediate care facilities (also called public and private group homes)
  • Hospice
  • Narcotic/Opioid Treatment Facilities
  • Nursing homes
  • Outpatient Physical Therapy or Speech Pathology Service Facilities
  • Personal assistance services
  • Portable X-Ray Services
  • Rural Health Clinics
  • State supported living centers
  • Special Care Facilities
  • Substance Abuse (chemical dependency) Treatment Facilities

Agents answer calls Monday through Friday from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. If you call outside those hours, leave a message; an employee will call you back by the next workday.

Learn more about provider investigations.

Reporting Abuse FAQs

Will anyone know who made the report?

HHS keeps your name and that of the other person confidential, unless required to release it by law. However, if you choose to remain anonymous, HHS has no way to let you know the results of the investigation. HHS may also forward your report to another agency if it should be reported to or investigated by that agency.

What happens once a report is made?

Employees from the HHS Regulatory Services make an unannounced onsite investigation. The investigation may include:

  • Observations
  • Records reviews
  • Interviews with the person making the complaint, residents, staff, family members or others

When HHS is done with the investigation, the person who made the report is notified of the results either in writing or over the phone.

What is the Texas Abuse Hotline?

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services manages the Texas Abuse Hotline. DFPS investigates complaints of abuse, neglect and exploitation not investigated by HHS.

Call the Texas Abuse Hotline at 800-252-5400 or make a report online through their secure website.

Call the hotline to report abuse, neglect or exploitation of:

  • Individuals receiving services from a State Hospital
  • People getting help through the Home and Community-based Services program
  • People getting help through the Texas Home Living Program
  • Children who do not live in a HHS facility