Texas Financial Assistance Programs

Texas financial assistance programs help low-income, disabled, and elderly residents experiencing economic struggles.   If you live in Texas and need help, financial aid, or assistance paying your mortgage, rent, medical, or household bills, support is available for you and your family.  No one wants to have money problems.

If it is frustrating and scary when your way of life is threatened, and you don’t know where to turn.  As much as friends and family love you, they cannot always help.

Many states, local and government agencies have joined together to help you prevent eviction or having utilities turned off and more.

Texas Financial Assistance Programs 

1.  Medical Help

When you or your family member is sick, you want to see a doctor, whether you have insurance or not.  Some people become sicker than necessary when they put office to the hospital.

Texas has many free clinics and hospitals that will treat you when you cannot afford a doctor or don’t have insurance.  Call the major hospitals in your town for financial help.

Texas has many free clinics and hospitals that will treat you when you cannot afford a doctor or don’t have insurance.  Call the major hospitals in your town for help.  You can see a physician if you work and your income is at or below the federal poverty guidelines.

These services cover treatments such as women’s needs, pediatrics, dental and educational classes.  You must be able to prove income.

Texas Rent Assistance for Low-Income – State and Local Programs

2.  Help with Rent in Texas

If you are behind in your rent and are in danger of eviction, some programs will help you pay past due rent and keep you in your home.  You can get a voucher from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) to help pay your rent and security deposit when renting a new dwelling.  1-(800) 525-0657

• Project Access (Voucher) Program – This program offers money for rent for those who qualify financially.  Monies are paid directly to the landlord or owner of the dwelling.

• Section 811 –  The Section 811 program helps those with disabilities live independently in subsidized rental communities with supportive services.  They provide rental payments to low-income individuals of the Target Population.

• Section 8 – The Statewide Housing Assistance Payments Program (Section 8) provides rental subsidy vouchers to families earning less than 50 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.  They also help the elderly and disabled with affordable housing.

• Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) Program

Helps low-income residents with security and utility deposits
Help pay rent for up to two years while the person gains steady employment and becomes self-sufficient.  Must meet program requirements

3.  Texas Financial Assistance Programs – Help with Utilities

The Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) helps low-income Texans pay for utilities.  To apply, locate an agency near you from the list below.

To be eligible, your income should not exceed 150 percent of your state’s poverty level.  Each state has different criteria for determining your eligibility.  You also may receive help if your family gets any aid from the government.

• Aspermont Small Business Development Center, Inc.
  Counties: Haskell, Jones, Kent, Knox, Stonewall, Throckmorton
  Phone: (940) 989-3538
• Bexar County Department of Community Resources
  County: Bexar
  Phone: (210) 335-3707
• Big Bend Community Action Committee, Inc.
  Counties: Brewster, Culberson, Hudspeth, Jeff, Davis, Presidio
  Phone: (432) 729-4908
• Brazos Valley Community Action Agency, Inc.
  Counties: Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Leon, Madison, Montgomery, Robertson, Walker, Waller, Washington
  Phone: (979) 846-1100
• Central Texas Opportunities, Inc.
  Counties: Brown, Callahan, Coleman, Comanche, Eastland, McCulloch, Runnels
  Phone: (325) 625-4167
• Combined Community Action, Inc.
  Counties: Austin, Bastrop, Colorado, Fayette, Lee
  Phone: (979) 540-2980

4.  Clinic Sliding-Scale

The sliding scale is an assistance program for low-income individuals to receive medical treatment.  The patient is charged according to income and ability to pay.  Many hospitals and local agencies offer a sliding scale to help with medical bills at clinics and emergency rooms.  If uninsured or underinsured, you can apply and see a doctor and get free or discounted medications.

How to get approved for a sliding scale:

• Make an appointment
• Bring proof of identity
• Present proof of income
• Sign consent for pulling your w-6

You will be given a card to present to the doctor’s office or pharmacy if approved.  Call or visit your local hospital and ask about the sliding scale.

5.  Emergency TANF Assistance

One-Time TANF

One-Time TANF is offered to families once a year. 

• If you are a family with children aged 18 and younger
• You are unemployed with no resources
• You are in danger of losing your home to a medical emergency
  

This help is available for families with children aged 18 and younger if you qualify financially and have an eviction notice, utilities are about to be turned off, or you are a victim of a disaster such as a flood or fire.  You do not have to be on welfare rolls to get assistance.  This program provides money for:

• Food
• Phone
• Housing
• Utilities
• Furniture
• Clothing
• Transportation
• Medical Supplies not covered by Medicaid

6.  Texas Job Re-Training Assistance

Workforce Solutions

If you are unemployed and want to train for a new career, Workforce Solutions can help point you in the right direction.  They offer job training, interview skills, how to create a resume, and how to apply for financial aid to return to school or take a training course for a job.

7.  Dallas County  Financial Assistance Programs Active Duty and Veterans

It can be stressful when you, as a military family, have financial problems.  These emergencies toll the entire family as you wonder where to get help immediately.  There are organizations whose only purpose is to help the men and women who serve this country.

These groups provide financial resources such as loans or grants for living expenses, housing, medical and dental, childcare, funeral support, etc.

•  Air Force Aid Society:  This program provides grants and loans for military families.  800-769-8951
• Army Emergency Relief (AER):  Offers general support for service members at home and abroad.  866-878-6378
• Coast Guard Mutual Assistance:  Help for Coast Guard members and their families.  703-872-6716
• Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society:  General help for Navy and Marine Corps.  703-696-4904

8.  Free and Discount Dental Assistance

Dental health is important and closely connected with your physical health.  Millions who work daily cannot afford dental insurance and go to the dentist for emergency treatment.

Only 52.3% of adults reported seeing the dentist twice a year, and 15.4% visited a dentist once a year.  Some could not go to the dentist without the help of clinics and other programs.  The good news is there is help available to you and the family.

Donated Dental Services (DDS)

Donated Dental Services is an exceptional organization that reaches out to the elderly, handicapped, and those with special needs.

• Donated Dental Services
• Traci Mondragon, DDS Coordinator
  512.448.2441 ext. 207 or
  877.807.6453

9.  Free Dental/Medical Clinics

This organization is a non-profit organization that helps you find dentists and doctors who treat you free or for as little as a $20 service fee.

10.  Free Medical Search

It helps low-income families and individuals locate accessible and affordable dental services.  Choose your city and state to find a dentist or Medical doctor near you.

 Texas Charities that Help with Bills

1.  Catholic Charities

Catholic Charities is a religious charity that helps low-income families, refugees, and immigrants, provides disaster relief, a food pantry, and family counseling, and strives to encourage self-reliance through adult learning programs.

One of their slogans is, “People of faith serving anyone in need by strengthening families and promoting respect for human dignity and life.” They also sponsor the Angel Tree Christmas program.  There are many chapters in the state of Texas.  To get help, go to the main website for your city and state.

2.  Entergy Texas

This organization (Beat the Heat) gives fans to needy families who do not have air conditioning.  The Power to Care outreach provides emergency help for utilities for disadvantaged elder and disabled residents.  (800)368-3749

3.  Operation Round Up

Operation Round Up is an electric co-op that offers programs that help residents with heating and air conditioning bills, medical bills and prescription drugs, medical equipment for the disabled, life support devices, utility and medical bills, prescription drug medicine, and food.

4.  The Wilkinson Center

The Wilkerson Center has been helping to relieve the suffering of the poor in East and Southeast Dallas for 30 years.  They help with food pantry access, other emergency needs, and adult education programs that help move people to self-sufficiency.  (214) 821-6380

5.  Things to Remember

Please remember that these financial assistance programs operate on a first-come-first-serve basis, and many people need help.  Do not wait until the last minute to seek assistance.  Try not to get frustrated if you can only get a portion of what you need to pay a bill.

You will be directed to other agencies to get everything you need.  So it is a process.  They will also contact your landlord, mortgage, or electric/gas company to let them know they are helping you, and they will stop the eviction or turn-off process.