My sister was in a similar situation recently.

She doesn't have status and is "travel unaware" (I usually call her a kettle but is also unaware to that term ).

She too had a MX delay and missed her connection (last flight of the day). I told her to go to customer service upon arrival in DFW and they put her up at the Marriott near the airport and took care of dinner and breakfast for her.

Good luck!