Assistance programs in Texas
Struggling families can get emergency financial assistance as well grant money in all counties and cities in Texas. Get help with rent, utility, housing costs or electric bills. Or find free groceries, clothes, gas vouchers and other stuff. Low-income families will get help from government assistance programs as well as churches, charities and non-profits. Find financial help near where you live in TX, including listed by county below. In addition to money to help with bills, there are also organizations that give out free items in Texas. This includes free medical care or motel vouchers. Struggling people or entire families can get housing assistance as well as free transportation services for a job, including bus passes. Or apply for car repair grants, a free car in TX as well as car loan payment assistance to maintain a vehicle. Find details on these and other financial resources below.
Get grant money to help with bills or housing, food, and other financial help in TX
Rental Assistance programs help low-income tenants in Texas. There is also financial help for the currently homeless. A number of assistance programs including grants are offered from the state, local charity organizations or non-profits as well as the
Texas Homeless Network
. In many cases, money to help pay rent can be paid out immediately to tenants in a hardship. Or find additional places for rental assistance in Texas . Rental vouchers in Texas are a form of longer term support. The primary program is section 8, however there are also income based resources for the disabled and senior citizens. The federal government housing choice voucher program can pay a portion of a households rent for multiple months. Find a list of HUD section 8 voucher for rent in Texas . Texas eviction prevention services and programs for currently homeless are offered. A number of non-profits focus on both preventing homelessness and they offer rehousing services. Government grants can be obtained for paying rent, free legal aid is available for eviction prevention as well as struggling people can get immediate financial assistance for security deposits. Shelters for the un-housed and are other options. Find homeless prevention in Texas . Government social services and benefit programs help the very low-income and people in poverty. The leading organization to contact is the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Resources from YourTexasBenefits offered range from free medical and dental care, to food assistance rom SNAP and energy bill help. More public assistance in Texas . Energy bill assistance, including from TX utility company programs, is available. While assistance programs for paying energy bills are offered in each county per the resources below, other financial assistance programs are administered by non-profits and directly by power companies. Grant money, funds to pay reconnection fees, forgiveness and more are options. More on Texas utility assistance . Several energy companies, often in partnership with local charities or social services, pass out free portable air conditioning units or box fans. The goal is to help low income families (with a focus on the elderly or disabled) stay cool and healthy during the summer. Find more details on free air conditioners for low-income families in TX . Mortgage relief and foreclosure prevention can help homeowners. Texas offers programs that can help people with paying their mortgage or even property taxes to avoid a foreclosure. Local resources, including government and non-profit assistance at the local level, can help qualified homeowners. More details on Texas mortgage assistance programs . Texas churches offer resources. Thousands of faith based charities across Texas can provide emergency financial assistance or free items. The programs vary, but there may be money for housing, free food, volunteers that repair cars or fix the roof or a senior citizen, and other support. Find help paying bills from churches . Texas food banks and grocery distribution centers are in every county. Get information on where to go to in Texas for free food, produce, government commodities and groceries. The low income, working poor, and hungry can use the sites, both in person and to drive thru. Food banks, soup kitchens and free pantries offer free boxes of groceries or meals to anyone in need. Find free emergency food pantries in Texas . Transportation assistance, including free cars in Texas, are available. Financial help combined with payment arrangements, for truck or car payments, can also be arranged. This is an option as the state is very reliant on automobiles for work reasons. Charities also giveaway a free car to some low-income job seekers or single moms. Free credit counseling, government grants and other financial aid may be offered for a loan Find assistance with car payment . As noted, some charities such as Free Charity Cars in TX give out free vehicles to people that need it for work. A priority is on single parents (mostly mothers) and veterans. Find details on a free car for people in need .
The United Way of Texas
has information on other local resources too. Whether immediate financial help or something else, the non-profit is statewide. There are other local and national assistance programs that will help low-income or struggling families. The
United Way of TX
offers referrals from the 211 service, there are government grant programs, social services for people living in poverty and more. Disability resources and benefit programs help people that are disabled. The state of Texas, in partnership with local non-profits and SSA, offers assistance programs for disabled individuals and their caregivers. The Department of Disability Services is the lead agency and can provide information on free medical care, in home services, home modifications, and provide assistance with the application process to SSI as well as other forms of financial benefits. More disability programs in Texas . Legal aid and free attorney consultations help low-income families and seniors. Programs from the government or pro-bono lawyers that include legal advice and representation in court on civil cases, with this service offered statewide. Find free legal help in Texas . Texas senior assistance programs help older adults. The Department of Aging and Disability Services offers resources for senior citizens and people over 55. The agency is also one of the leading providers of free information and referrals on government emergency assistance benefits or free grant money for seniors in TX. Find more information on senior care and Texas Agency on Aging assistance programs . Community action case management as well as grants help pay bills. Low income families in Texas can receive a number of services from a local community action agency near them. Case managers can help people find a job, access education services, and they help people apply for government grants. Or learn about low-income free car repairs, grants to fix a house and other services. More information on community action agencies in Texas . Telephone bill assistance and free cell phone programs help people in poverty and seniors. The Public Utility Commission of Texas oversees programs known as Lifeline and Link-Up. These provide discounts on monthly cellular or home phone costs as well as the set up fees for new service, including a free smartphone in some cases. Some households may even be provided a free telephone from this government assistance program. More on Lifeline in Texas . Free cell phones are available in Texas as well for low-income families. The Lifeline program will give out Apple iPhones, Google Android devices such as a Samsung Galaxy or even a tablet. The smartphone is combined with affordable monthly plans too. Read more on free cell phones in TX from the government . Emergency help from the Salvation Army includes financial help for people in a crisis. While funding is limited, and only qualified people may get immediate relief, the Salvation Army is a leading Christian charity to call for assistance. Programs can help pay rent, utility bills, provide food or motel vouchers, and other aid. Learn more on Texas Salvation Army emergency assistance . Child Care subsidies and free daycare are options. Low income families in Texas that are working, attending school or training for a job may qualify for government assistance on a portion of their child care costs. Workforce Solutions offices in Texas oversee this state and free federal government grant program for daycare help. Click more Texas child and day care assistance .
Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP
) is the state of TX version of LIHEAP. Federal government grant money will help low-income families keep their power on, including money for light or electric. There is also priority provided for senior citizens, veterans and the disabled. Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP )is often combined with CEAP. It will help educate consumers about energy conservation, pay money to update their come as well as free basic home or air HVAC repairs. More on low income energy bill assistance CEAP in Texas . Texas employment programs and free job training are in each county. Individuals that are seeking additional training, experience in the workplace, or that are unemployed can get help in searching for jobs and gaining new skills for c career. Workforce Solution Offices administer several services for residents. Find more information on job training in Texas . Debt counselors and non-profit credit counseling helps people with finances or getting out of debt. Contact credit counselors from non-profit organizations for low cost or even free advice. They work with clients to help develop a budget, get them out of debt and help with budgeting to free up money to pay bills. More on Texas credit counseling .
Help in local Texas cities and counties
Select a county and/or city in TX below for local financial assistance programs. As there are charities, churches, and government benefit programs that help struggling families.
Anderson County
(Palestine)
Andrews County
Angelina County
(Lufkin)
Aransas County
(Rockport)
Atascosa County
(Jourdanton)
Bandera County
Bastrop County
Bee County
(Beeville)
Bell County
(Belton)
Bexar County and San Antonio
Borden County
(Gail)
Bosque County
(Meridian)
Bowie County
(New Boston)
Brazoria County
(Angleton)
Brazos County
(Bryan)
Brown County
(Brownwood)
Burleson County
(Caldwell)
Callahan County
(Baird)
Caldwell County
(Lockhart)
Cameron County
(Brownsville)
Camp County
(Pittsburg)
Chambers County
(Anahuac)
Cherokee County
(Rusk)
Coleman County
Collin County
(McKinney)
Comal County
(New Braunfels)
Comanche County
Coryell County
(Gatesville)
Dallas County
Dawson County
(Lamesa)
Denton County
Eastland County
Ector County
(Odessa)
Edwards County
(Rocksprings)
Ellis County
(Waxahachie)
El Paso County
Erath County
(Stephenville)
Falls County
(Marlin)
Fisher County
(Roby)
Fort Bend County
(Richmond)
Freestone County
(Fairfield)
Frio County
(Pearsall)
Gaines County
Gillespie County
(Fredericksburg)
Glasscock County
(Garden City)
Grayson County
(Sherman)
Gregg County
(Longview)
Grimes County
(Anderson)
Guadalupe County
(Seguin)
Harris County and Houston
Harrison County
(Marshall)
Haskell County
Hays County
(San Marcos)
Henderson County
(Athens)
Hidalgo County
(Edinburg)
Hill County
(Hillsboro)
Hood County
(Granbury)
Houston County
(Crockett)
Howard County
(Big Spring)
Jasper County
Jefferson County
(Beaumont)
Johnson County
(Cleburne)
Jones County
(Anson)
Karnes County
Kaufman County
(Kaufman)
Kendall County
Kenedy County
(Sarita)
Kent County
(Jayton)
Kerr County
(Kerrville)
Kinney County
(Brackettville) Kleberg (Kingsville)
Knox County
(Benjamin)
Leon County
(Centerville)
Liberty County
Limestone County
(Groesbeck)
Live Oak County
Madison County
(Madisonville)
Martin County
(Stanton)
McCulloch County
(Brady)
McLennan County
(Waco)
McMullen County
(Tilden)
Medina County
(Hondo)
Midland County
(Midland)
Montgomery County
(Conroe)
Morris County
(Daingerfield)
Navarro County
(Corsicana)
Newton County
Nolan County
(Sweetwater)
Nueces County
(Corpus Christi)
Palo Pinto County
Panola County
(Carthage)
Parker County
(Weatherford)
Polk County
(Livingston)
Potter County
(Amarillo)
Randall County
(Canyon)
Real County
(Leakey)
Refugio County
Robertson County
(Franklin)
Rockwall County
Runnels County
(Ballinger)
Rusk County
(Henderson)
Sabine County
(Hemphill)
San Augustine
San Jacinto County
(Coldspring)
Scurry County
(Snyder)
Shelby County
(Shelter)
Smith County
(Tyler)
Somervell County
(Glen Rose)
Stonewall County
(Aspermont)
Tarrant County and Fort Worth
Taylor County
(Abilene)
Throckmorton County
Titus County
(Mount Pleasant)
Tom Green
(San Angelo)
Travis County and Austin
Tyler County
(Woodville)
Upshur County
(Gilmer)
Upton County
(Rankin)
Uvalde County
Val Verde County
(Del Rio)
Van Zandt
(Canton)
Victoria County
Walker County
(Huntsville)
Waller County
(Hempstead)
Washington County
(Brenham)
Webb County
(Laredo)
Wichita County
(Wichita Falls)
Williamson County
(Georgetown)
Wilson County
(Floresville)
Wise County
(Decatur)
Wood County
(Quitman)
Zavala County
(Crystal City) You can also look for local Texas resources in our community forum . As people from across the state interact there, post other programs and options and share information about their hardships. You will find real life stories and experiences from people all over the state. Feel free to (1) help guide or encourage them or maybe find other options that may help you with your specific needs. Here is a link to our Texas forum listing other assistance programs with real life experiences.