Texas assistance directory
Low-Income Help and Resources in Texas
Texas residents may be able to get help with food, utilities, housing, healthcare, child care, cash assistance, work, legal concerns, phone or internet costs, aging and disability needs, and crisis support. Many Texas programs are handled by local providers, so begin with the statewide portal or local search that matches the problem you are trying to solve.
Money Fit serves Texas residents statewide. Nonprofit credit counseling is available by phone and online throughout Texas. Debt Reduction Services, Inc., operating as Money Fit, is registered with the Texas Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner under registration no. 125643.
Where to start
You do not need to know the exact program name before asking for help. Choose the starting point that most closely matches what is happening now.
Applying for state benefits
Your Texas Benefits is the main portal for SNAP, TANF cash help, Medicaid, CHIP, and other Texas Health and Human Services programs.
Open Your Texas BenefitsFinding nearby help
Call 211 or search by ZIP code for food, housing, utilities, healthcare, transportation, employment, aging, disability, and crisis services.
Search 2-1-1 TexasHousing or utility assistance
Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs routes residents to current local providers based on the type of help and city or county.
Open Help for TexansLocal routing matters in Texas. TDHCA sends funding to local organizations rather than accepting applications from individuals. Providers may have limited funds or be at capacity, so contact the listed organization directly and use 211 when the state search does not show an available provider.
Food assistance
For ongoing grocery help, start with SNAP or WIC when it fits your household. For food needed sooner, use the statewide food-bank locator or call 211.
Texas SNAP food benefits
SNAP provides monthly food benefits to eligible Texas households through the Lone Star Card. Applications can be started online through Your Texas Benefits or by calling 211 and selecting the benefits option.
Benefits help: 877-541-7905
Texas WIC
WIC provides healthy food, nutrition guidance, breastfeeding support, and referrals for eligible pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum participants, infants, and children under age five.
Phone: 800-942-3678
Feeding Texas food-bank network
Search by ZIP code or county for the food bank serving your area. Local food banks may provide pantry locations, mobile distributions, meal programs, home delivery, and help applying for SNAP or Medicaid.
Housing, rent, and utility help
Texas housing and utility assistance is mostly handled through local organizations, public housing authorities, legal-aid programs, and regional homelessness systems. Funding and waiting lists can change quickly.
Utility bill help and weatherization
Use Help for Texans to find the current provider for utility-bill assistance or weatherization in your city or county. The former Texas Utility Help application website is closed.
TDHCA Vacancy Clearinghouse
Search Texas city, county, or ZIP code for affordable apartments funded through TDHCA. The listing may include rent, accessibility, and unit information when available.
Local rent, public housing, and emergency services
Help for Texans can route residents to long-term rent support, public housing authorities, emergency shelter, homelessness services, home repairs, and accessibility modifications based on location.
TexasLawHelp housing referrals
Find regional legal-aid organizations that may help with eviction, tenant rights, rent disputes, and other civil housing matters. Eligibility and representation are not guaranteed.
Avoid outdated statewide applications. Texas Rent Relief and the statewide Eviction Diversion Program closed in 2023. The Texas Homeowner Assistance Program closed in April 2025. Current housing help should be located through Help for Texans, 211, a local public housing authority, or legal aid.
Healthcare coverage and clinics
Texas Medicaid and CHIP are administered through Texas Health and Human Services. People who are uninsured or have limited access to care may also be able to use state-supported primary-care providers or community health centers.
Texas Medicaid and CHIP
Medicaid and CHIP provide healthcare coverage for eligible children, families, pregnant participants, older adults, and people with disabilities under different program rules.
Benefits help: 877-541-7905
Primary Health Care Program
The Texas Primary Health Care Program supports preventive and primary medical care for eligible residents through participating local providers. Search 211 or call to locate the nearest provider.
Community health centers
Federally supported health centers provide primary care and may offer dental, pharmacy, behavioral health, and other services. Fees are generally based on ability to pay, but services and appointment availability differ by location.
Child care, family, and cash assistance
Texas child care assistance is delivered through local Workforce Solutions offices. TANF cash help is administered through Texas Health and Human Services.
Child Care Services scholarships
Child Care Services may pay part or all of eligible child care costs so parents can work, look for work, attend school, or participate in job training. Local Workforce Solutions boards handle applications and waiting lists.
Texas child care information
Search for regulated child care, compare programs, and review parent resources through the Texas Workforce Commission's child care tools.
Texas TANF cash help
TANF provides temporary cash payments to eligible families for food, clothing, housing, utilities, transportation, and other basic needs. One-time TANF assistance may also be available in certain crisis situations.
Work, legal help, and essential services
Job loss, a legal problem, or loss of phone or internet access can quickly affect housing, healthcare, and the ability to apply for other assistance.
Texas unemployment insurance
Apply through Texas Workforce Commission Unemployment Benefits Services or call the Tele-Center. Eligibility and benefit amounts depend on work history, wages, and the circumstances of the job loss.
Tele-Center: 800-939-6631
Workforce Solutions offices
More than 170 local Workforce Solutions offices provide job-search help, training referrals, resume support, computers, career services, and other employment resources.
TexasLawHelp
Search for free or low-cost civil legal services involving housing, public benefits, debt collection, family matters, employment, healthcare, and other covered issues. Help and representation are not guaranteed.
Texas Lifeline discount
Texas Lifeline combines state and federal discounts that may lower the monthly cost of qualifying phone or broadband service. Texas residents use the state enrollment system.
Application help: 866-454-8387
Older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers
Texas Aging and Disability Resource Centers connect residents with long-term services, caregiver support, home-based help, benefits counseling, transportation, and other local programs.
Aging and Disability Resource Centers
ADRCs serve all 254 Texas counties and help older adults, people with disabilities, family members, and caregivers understand and locate long-term services and supports.
Phone: 855-937-2372
Crisis and safety resources
If someone is in immediate danger or cannot stay safe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 for free, confidential support involving emotional distress, mental health, suicide concerns, alcohol or drug use, or another behavioral health crisis. Support is available 24 hours a day.
Texas family violence services
Use the Texas Council on Family Violence directory to find local shelters and advocacy programs. The National Domestic Violence Hotline also provides confidential support and safety planning 24 hours a day.
National hotline: 800-799-7233
Texas Abuse Hotline
Report suspected abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or exploitation involving children, older adults, or adults with disabilities. Call 911 first when someone faces immediate danger.
Hotline: 800-252-5400
Texas Youth Helpline
Young people and family members can call, text, or chat for free, confidential counseling, information, and local referrals involving family conflict, homelessness, running away, and other difficult situations.
Call or text: 800-989-6884
Review the household budget and unsecured debt together
Public assistance may help with one urgent cost while credit cards, medical bills, collections, personal loans, or payday loans continue taking money from the rest of the budget. Money Fit nonprofit credit counseling can help Texas residents review income, expenses, debts, and possible next steps.
A debt management plan may be discussed when it fits the budget and eligible unsecured debts. It is not a new loan or debt settlement, and creditor participation and concessions can vary.
Money Fit does not provide cash assistance, food benefits, rent assistance, utility benefits, government benefits, or emergency grants. The counseling form below is for help reviewing debt and monthly payments.
Open the Money Fit debt review form
Share a few details so Money Fit can respond to your request. Your information stays with Money Fit and is not sent to a marketplace of lenders or debt companies.
