Government & Private Support

Texas benefits and support programs

URIDA lists 76 programs for people in Texas: 67 from government agencies, 9 from nonprofits, foundations, utilities and other private groups. Each one was checked against its official page. Some serve only part of the state, and dates and rules change, so look on the official page before you apply.

URIDA is not a government agency. Each program's operator takes applications and decides eligibility.

Find programs for your situation

Food (5)

Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)

Who it is for
Elderly persons, 60 and older, who are vulnerable to malnutrition and are income eligible (Texas program).

Official page (squaremeals.org)Checked October 28, 2026

Free and reduced-price school meals (National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs; reduced-price meals now free)

Who it is for
Students in public and non-profit private schools in Texas; the free reduced-price-meal benefit applies to students who qualify for reduced-price school meals.

Official page (squaremeals.org)Checked October 28, 2026

SNAP Food Benefits

Run by Texas Health and Human Services

Who it is for
Under 'Who is SNAP for?': people in eligible low-income households; households in which all members are older adults (age 60 and older) or people with disabilities can use the Texas Simplified Application Project (TSAP).

Official page (hhs.texas.gov)Checked October 28, 2026

Summer Meals Program (Summer Food Service Program and Seamless Summer Option)

Who it is for
Meals at no cost to children and teens 18 years old and younger in low-income areas, and eligible people with disabilities, at Texas summer meal sites.

Official page (squaremeals.org)Checked October 28, 2026

Texas WIC

Who it is for
Pregnant women, breastfeeding women, women who had a baby within the last six months, and parents, step-parents, guardians and foster parents of infants and children younger than 5; you must live in Texas. Income limit for 1 household member: $2,461 gross monthly.

Official page (texaswic.org)Checked October 28, 2026

Housing (7)

Family Violence Program

Who it is for
Adult and child survivors of family violence and survivors of dating violence across Texas; there are no income eligibility requirements.

Official page (hhs.texas.gov)Checked October 28, 2026

Home Sweet Texas Home Loan Program (TSAHC)

Who it is for
Low- and moderate-income households, including first-time and repeat home buyers, and other eligible Texans; income limits vary by county and household size; minimum credit score 620 (government loans) or 640 (conventional); home must be your primary residence.

Official page (tsahc.org)Checked October 28, 2026

Section 811 Project Rental Assistance Program (TDHCA)

Who it is for
Target Population members (people with disabilities leaving institutions, people with serious mental illness, youth with disabilities exiting foster care) aged 18 to under 62 at admission, served by a participating HHSC agency; only in eight listed Metropolitan Statistical Areas.

Official page (tdhca.texas.gov)Checked October 28, 2026

Texas Bootstrap Loan Program

Who it is for
Households or individuals with household income not exceeding 80% of the state or local Area Median Family Income (AMFI) seeking help buying a home; Owner-Builders must provide at least 65% of the labor. Not available in all areas of Texas.
When to apply
No fixed closing date when we checked.

Official page (tdhca.texas.gov)Checked October 28, 2026

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Utilities and energy (4)

City of Austin Customer Assistance Program (CAP) Utility Bill Discounts

Who it is for
Residential City of Austin utility customers whose household member participates in Medicaid, SNAP, CHIP, Telephone Lifeline, Travis County CEAP, MAP, VASH or SSI, or whose household income is less than 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.

Official page (coautilities.com)Checked October 28, 2026

Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP)

Who it is for
Low income households in Texas; subrecipients collectively cover all 254 counties of the state.

Official page (tdhca.texas.gov)Checked October 28, 2026

Residential Energy Assistance Partnership (REAP)

Who it is for
Residents of San Antonio or Bexar County with income at or below 150% of federal poverty guidelines who are age 60 or older, disabled, have children under 17 at home, or require critical-care equipment.

Official page (cpsenergy.com)Checked October 28, 2026

Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)

Who it is for
Low income households in Texas; subrecipients collectively cover all 254 counties; the structure must be able to benefit from being weatherized.

Official page (tdhca.texas.gov)Checked October 28, 2026

Health care (8)

Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) Services Program

Who it is for
Anyone who lives in Texas, is 20 or younger (or any age with cystic fibrosis), has income at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level, and has a medical condition with physical symptoms expected to last at least one year that limits major life activities.

Official page (hhs.texas.gov)Checked October 28, 2026

County Indigent Health Care Program (CIHCP)

Who it is for
Anyone who lives in Texas, has an income level at or below 21% of federal poverty guidelines, has resources less than $2,000, and is not eligible for Medicaid.

Official page (hhs.texas.gov)Checked October 28, 2026

DSHS Immunizations: Texas Vaccines for Children (TVFC) and Adult Safety Net (ASN)

Run by Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Immunization Section

Who it is for
TVFC: all Texas children, regardless of parent's ability to pay. ASN: low-cost vaccines to anyone aged 19 or older who does not have health insurance.

Official page (dshs.texas.gov)Checked October 28, 2026

Health Insurance Premium Payment (HIPP) Program

Who it is for
Families with at least 1 person who gets Medicaid (any Medicaid program except CHIP and STAR Health) where someone in the family can get health insurance at work; no age restrictions.

Official page (hhs.texas.gov)Checked October 28, 2026

Healthy Texas Women

Who it is for
Women ages 18 to 44 (or 15 to 17 with a parent or guardian applying) who are U.S. citizens or qualified immigrants, Texas residents, without health insurance, not pregnant, within the income limit (1 person $2,716 monthly).

Official page (healthytexaswomen.org)Checked October 28, 2026

Kidney Health Care (KHC)

Who it is for
Anyone who lives in Texas, has income less than $60,000 per year, has an end-stage renal disease diagnosis, gets regular dialysis or has had a kidney transplant, meets Medicare's ESRD definition, and isn't eligible for Medicaid medical, drug and travel benefits.

Official page (hhs.texas.gov)Checked October 28, 2026

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Cash assistance (4)

Crime Victims' Compensation (CVC) Program

Who it is for
Victims injured by a violent crime through no fault of their own where the crime happened in Texas (or a Texas resident hurt in a country without victim compensation), and authorized claimants; apply within 3 years of the crime unless good cause is shown.

Official page (texasattorneygeneral.gov)Checked October 28, 2026

Financial Assistance for Kinship Caregivers (DFPS Kinship Care: RODC payment and kinship assistance)

Who it is for
Kinship caregivers (relatives or fictive kin) when the child is in the temporary or permanent managing conservatorship (legal custody) of the State of Texas; RODC also requires family net income not exceeding 300% of the federal poverty limit.

Official page (dfps.texas.gov)Checked October 28, 2026

TANF Cash Help (Texas Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)

Run by Texas Health and Human Services

Who it is for
TANF for Families: families with children ages 18 and younger who have little to no money or don't have a way to get money; a family can be parents and their children, or relatives caring for related children.

Official page (hhs.texas.gov)Checked October 28, 2026

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Child care and family (4)

Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) Services

Who it is for
Families with children from birth to 36 months with developmental delays, disabilities or certain medical diagnoses that may impact development; ECI services end when the child turns 3.

Official page (hhs.texas.gov)Checked October 28, 2026

Free public prekindergarten (Texas Education Agency)

Who it is for
Children 3 (if a 3-year-old program is available) or 4 on or before September 1 who meet at least one criterion, e.g., unable to speak and comprehend English, NSLP-eligible, homeless, active-duty military parent, foster care, Star of Texas Award parent, or teacher's child.

Official page (tea.texas.gov)Checked October 28, 2026

Head Start and Early Head Start in Texas (Texas Head Start Collaboration Office)

Who it is for
Families with income at or below the federal poverty level; some higher-income families if they meet other requirements; families experiencing homelessness, with children in foster care, or receiving TANF or SSI may also qualify. Local program staff determine eligibility.

Official page (txhsco.org)Checked October 28, 2026

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Jobs and training (6)

Employment Service Program (Texas Workforce Commission / Workforce Solutions)

Who it is for
Jobseekers and businesses in Texas served through Workforce Solutions offices; ES also helps match job opportunities between different states.

Official page (twc.texas.gov)Checked October 28, 2026

Registered Apprenticeship Training Programs (TWC Apprenticeship / ApprenticeshipTexas)

Who it is for
People in Texas who want to learn a skilled trade; minimum: at least 16 years old (18 for some dangerous jobs) and finished high school or equivalent, though each program might ask for different things.

Official page (twc.texas.gov)Checked October 28, 2026

Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP, Texas Workforce Commission)

Who it is for
People who are 55 or older and unemployed, able to work in the United States, earning 125 percent or less of the federal poverty level (e.g., 1 person $13,590 a year).

Official page (twc.texas.gov)Checked October 28, 2026

Unemployment Benefits (Texas Workforce Commission)

Who it is for
Eligible workers who, through no fault of their own, lost their job or are working reduced hours; if you worked in a state other than Texas, you need to apply for benefits in that state.

Official page (twc.texas.gov)Checked October 28, 2026

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Education and tuition (5)

Adult Education & Literacy Program (AEL, Texas Workforce Commission)

Who it is for
Adults who are 16 years old and not in school or not required to be in school under state law and who lack basic skills, lack a high school diploma or equivalent, or can't speak, read or write in English.

Official page (twc.texas.gov)Checked October 28, 2026

State College Tuition Waiver for foster and adopted youth (DFPS)

Who it is for
Youth currently or formerly in DFPS conservatorship on listed dates (e.g., the day before the 18th birthday) and youth adopted from DFPS; must have enrolled before the 27th birthday (no age limit under Section 54.367 adoption assistance).

Official page (dfps.texas.gov)Checked October 28, 2026

Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG)

Who it is for
Eligible students attending community colleges, public state colleges (including Lamar State College-Orange and Lamar State College-Port Arthur), and public technical institutes in Texas.

Official page (highered.texas.gov)Checked October 28, 2026

Texas First Scholarship (Texas First Program, THECB)

Who it is for
Texas high school students who graduate early with a Texas First Diploma; requirements include Texas residency, at least 22 credits, final GPA of 3.0 or higher, and listed assessment and mastery criteria.

Official page (highered.texas.gov)Checked October 28, 2026

Toward EXcellence, Access, and Success (TEXAS) Grant

Who it is for
Texas residents with financial need enrolled at least 3/4 time without a baccalaureate degree, at GATIs in Texas (excluding Lamar State College-Orange and Lamar State College-Port Arthur) or HRIs; initial awards require one of four pathways.

Official page (highered.texas.gov)Checked October 28, 2026

Older adults (5)

Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs)

Who it is for
Older adults and people with disabilities who need help finding long-term services and supports; ADRCs help people in all 254 counties in the state.

Official page (hhs.texas.gov)Checked October 28, 2026

Care for People 60+ (Area Agencies on Aging)

Who it is for
People aged 60 and older, their family members and caregivers; services are targeted to those with greatest economic and social need, with attention to people with low incomes, minority older people and older people in rural areas.

Official page (hhs.texas.gov)Checked October 28, 2026

Home Delivered Meals (Meals on Wheels Central Texas)

Who it is for
Generally people who are primarily homebound, can accept delivery Monday-Friday 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., are unable to easily prepare nutritious meals, lack consistent daytime help, and live in the Greater Austin Area; each applicant is assessed.

Official page (mowctx.org)Checked October 28, 2026

The Legal Hotline for Texans (Texas Legal Services Center)

Who it is for
You must be 60 or older residing in Texas to receive advice on estate planning or consumer issues; all callers may receive advice on Medicaid, Medicare, and long-term care.

Official page (tlsc.org)Checked October 28, 2026

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Disability and caregiving (4)

Blind and Visually Impaired Services (Texas HHS)

Who it is for
People who are blind and visually impaired; DBMD serves people of all ages who have deafblindness (or a condition that will result in it) and another disability; Independent Living Services serves people with significant disabilities.

Official page (hhs.texas.gov)Checked October 28, 2026

Children's Autism Program

Who it is for
A child who has a documented diagnosis on the autism spectrum made by a qualified professional, is 3 to 15 years old (services end on the 16th birthday), and is a Texas resident.

Official page (hhs.texas.gov)Checked October 28, 2026

Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program (STAP, Texas HHS)

Who it is for
People at least five years old at the time of application with a disability that interferes with access to telephone networks, with proof of Texas residency.

Official page (hhs.texas.gov)Checked October 28, 2026

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Veterans (4)

Disabled Veterans and Surviving Spouses property tax exemptions (Texas)

Who it is for
Disabled veterans (amount set by the disability rating from the U.S. Veterans Administration or branch of service), unmarried surviving spouses and surviving children under 11.22; total homestead exemption for 100 percent disabled or individual unemployability (11.131).

Official page (comptroller.texas.gov)Checked October 28, 2026

Hazlewood Act tuition exemption (Texas Veterans Commission)

Who it is for
Veterans who entered service in Texas or had Texas as home of record, served at least 181 days of active duty, had Honorable or General discharge, and currently reside in Texas; plus qualifying Legacy children (25 or younger) and spouses/dependents.

Official page (tvc.texas.gov)Checked October 28, 2026

Texas Veterans Commission Claims Department (free VA claims representation)

Who it is for
Texas Veterans, their families, and survivors seeking VA disability benefits and entitlements.

Official page (tvc.texas.gov)Checked October 28, 2026

VLB Veterans Housing Assistance Program (Texas Veterans Land Board home loans)

Who it is for
Veterans and Military Members at least 18 years of age and bona fide legal residents of Texas on the date of application meeting one listed service criterion (e.g., at least 90 active duty days, not discharged dishonorably); certain surviving spouses.

Official page (glo.texas.gov)Checked October 28, 2026

Immigrant families (3)

Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) — Texas Office for Refugees

Who it is for
ORR-eligible individuals in Texas who are within the income eligibility standards and ineligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

Official page (txofficeforrefugees.org)Checked October 28, 2026

Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA) — Texas Office for Refugees

Who it is for
People in an ORR-eligible category who are ineligible for Medicaid.

Official page (txofficeforrefugees.org)Checked October 28, 2026

Refugee Support Services (employment, English, case management) — Texas Office for Refugees

Who it is for
Refugees and other ORR-eligible populations in Texas, focused on clients' first sixty months (approximately five years) in the United States.

Official page (txofficeforrefugees.org)Checked October 28, 2026

Tax credits (3)

Age 65 or Older or Disabled Persons Residence Homestead Exemption (Texas)

Who it is for
Homeowners age 65 or older, or disabled persons meeting the Social Security disability insurance definition, with an ownership interest who live in the home as their principal residence; a surviving spouse age 55 or older may be eligible.

Official page (comptroller.texas.gov)Checked October 28, 2026

General Residence Homestead Exemption (Texas property tax)

Who it is for
Texas homeowners with an ownership interest who use the property as their principal residence and do not claim an exemption on another residence homestead in or outside of Texas.

Official page (comptroller.texas.gov)Checked October 28, 2026

Tax Deferral for Homeowners age 65+ or disabled (Harris Central Appraisal District)

Who it is for
Homeowners in Harris County who are 65 or older or disabled (under a disability for Federal Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance benefits); a limited deferral may apply when appraised value rose more than 5%.

Official page (hcad.org)Checked October 28, 2026

Transportation (4)

CapMetro Reduced Fare ID Card (Austin)

Who it is for
CapMetro riders who are seniors (65 and older), Medicare card holders, active and reserve duty military ID holders not in uniform, or riders with disabilities (per eligibility guidelines).

Official page (capmetro.org)Checked October 28, 2026

DART Reduced Fare GoPass Tap Card (Dallas)

Who it is for
Qualifying veterans, seniors 65 and older, persons with disabilities, children aged 5-14, high school students, full-time undergraduate college/trade school students in the DART service area, and individuals who qualify based on income.

Official page (dart.org)Checked October 28, 2026

Disabled Parking Placards & Plates (Texas DMV)

Who it is for
People with a medical condition meeting the legal definition of disability (e.g., visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye, or mobility problems that substantially impair moving around); DV plates for veterans with listed service-connected disability.

Official page (txdmv.gov)Checked October 28, 2026

METRO Discounted Fare Programs / RideMETRO Discount Fare Card (Houston)

Who it is for
METRO riders in the Houston region who are students, seniors 65-69, seniors 70 or older, people with disabilities who are not METROLift customers, or qualified veterans (medal of valor or certain service-connected disability).

Official page (ridemetro.org)Checked October 28, 2026

Internet and phone (2)

Austin Public Library 5G WiFi Hotspot lending

Run by Austin Public Library (APL)

Who it is for
Customers who have a valid Austin Public Library card, excluding Group Cards (not expired, unpaid fees not exceeding $24.99, not in COLLECTION status).

Official page (library.austintexas.gov)Checked October 28, 2026

Texas Lifeline Program (phone bill discount, Public Utility Commission of Texas)

Who it is for
Texas residents with household income at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines (e.g., 1 person $23,940), or receiving Medicaid, LIHEAP, SNAP, Federal Public Housing Assistance, SSI, CHIP, Free School Lunch or TANF.

Official page (puc.texas.gov)Checked October 28, 2026

Business support (2)

Small Business Development Center (Texas South-West SBDC Network / UTSA SBDC)

Who it is for
Small businesses and entrepreneurs in 79 counties of south, central, west Texas (incl. part of the Gulf Coast); services are provided to U.S. citizens, legal residents, and foreign nationals that intend to invest in the United States.

Official page (txsbdc.org)Checked October 28, 2026

Veteran Entrepreneur Program (Texas Veterans Commission)

Who it is for
Veterans or family members of a veteran; a Veteran Verification Letter is for honorable/general discharged veterans starting a NEW 100% Veteran-Owned business on or after January 1, 2022.

Official page (tvc.texas.gov)Checked October 28, 2026

Disaster and emergency relief (3)

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA, Texas Workforce Commission)

Who it is for
Workers and self-employed people unemployed as a direct result of a major disaster for which a disaster assistance period is declared (e.g., live, work or travel through the disaster area; workplace damaged or closed).

Official page (twc.texas.gov)Checked October 28, 2026

State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR)

Who it is for
People with disabilities, people who are medically fragile, and people with access and functional needs (e.g., limited mobility, communication barriers, transportation or personal care needs) in Texas.

Official page (tdem.texas.gov)Checked October 28, 2026

Texas Department of Insurance disaster help (insurance claims help after a disaster)

Who it is for
Texans recovering from storms and other disasters with home, property or auto insurance questions; the Texas Coastal Outreach and Assistance Services Team helps people with TWIA policies.

Official page (tdi.texas.gov)Checked October 28, 2026

Last checked October 28, 2026. Other states