Many people in Texas are going through different forms of hardship like joblessness, homelessness, food insecurity, mental health challenges, poverty, and lack of access to healthcare.
This is why in this article I have listed several hardship grants in Texas that can help to alleviate some of these hardships people are going through.
1 in 5 persons living in Texas is poor according to United Way of Greater Houston. Poor in the sense that their income is less than the federal poverty level. This can make it tough for these persons to afford healthcare, food, and housing.
Hardship Grants in Texas
According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, around 25000 Texans are homeless.
The unemployment rate in Texas is 3.5%, over 1.5 million Texans are facing food insecurity, over 2 million Texans do not have access to affordable healthcare, and over 19.2% of adult Texans are facing a mental health condition.
Below is a list of hardship grants in Texas and the links to learn about how to apply for these grants.
Texas Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
With the support of the Texas Modest-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), eligible Texas renters and homeowners with modest incomes can receive financial aid to help them pay their utility bills.
With financing from the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and federal Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), the program is run by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA).
The program offers qualifying households money to cover costs for things like water, sewer, electricity, gas, and propane. The service offers money transfers made on behalf of the household to the utility provider.
Website: https://texasutilityhelp.com/
Recommended: 20 Top Financial Assistance for Cancer Patients in Texas
Texas Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program
In order to improve the health of pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children under the age of five who are nutritionally at risk, the Texas Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program offers nutritious foods, nutrition education, and access to fundamental medical services.
The program offers encouragement and motivation for good eating, a healthy pregnancy, effective breastfeeding, and raising great children.
You can apply for the program in person by going to a local WIC office if you’re interested. For the program to be available to you, you must reside in Texas.
The WIC program does not require you to be a citizen of the United States. If you or your children receive Medicaid, SNAP or TANF, you already meet the income qualifications for WIC.
Website: https://everytexan.org/our-work/policy-areas/food-security/food-assistance/wic/
Texas Unemployment Benefits
On the Texas Workforce Commission website, you can find details regarding unemployment benefits in Texas. The website offers a number of services, such as benefit applications, payment requests, claim and payment status updates, and more. The following details must be provided in order to apply for unemployment benefits:
- Name and address of your most recent employer.
- The start and end dates of your employment with your previous company.
- Whether you worked this week (including Sunday), how many hours you worked and at what hourly rate.
- Information on your typical salary.
- If not a citizen or national of the US, an alien registration number.
- Valid Texas identification card number or driver’s license number.
Through the website, you can apply for unemployment benefits online. If you have an unemployment benefits claim, you can sign up for Electronic Correspondence for online access to your unemployment benefits correspondence.
Website: https://www.twc.texas.gov/jobseekers/unemployment-benefits-services
Recommended: 13 Top Lineman Schools in Texas: The Requirements
Texas Emergency Utility Bill Assistance Program
The Texas Utility Help Program is a grant program that offers low-income assistance to qualified Texas homeowners and renters to pay their utility bills, which include those for electricity, gas, propane, water, and wastewater.
With financing from the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and federal Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), the program is run by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA).
Texas renters and homeowners must fulfill the following requirements in order to be eligible for the program:
- Income for the household must be equal to or less than 150% of the FPIG.
- The home must contain at least one American citizen or authorized alien.
- For water and wastewater assistance, those who have been disconnected or are at risk of having their service disconnected are prioritized.
Homeowners and renters can register for an account on the Texas Utility Help website and submit an application using the online portal to request assistance. Call their Call Center at 1-855-566-2057 for technical assistance with the application.
Applications are examined to see if a household is eligible for program support. Payment is paid directly to the utility supplier (of electricity, gas, propane, water, and/or wastewater) following application approval.
Website: https://texasutilityhelp.com/
Texas Child Care Assistance Program
The Texas Workforce Commission offers financial assistance to parents who are unable to pay for child care as well as grants through the Texas Rising Star program, which can assist providers in obtaining education, materials, and equipment. The Texas Rising Star program is a quality rating and improvement system (QRIS) for daycare centers taking part in the CCS program.
Programs that are certified by Texas Rising Star exhibit a level of quality above the basic requirements set forth in the Childcare Regulation.
All daycare centers that accept children under the CCS scholarship program are required to join the Texas Rising Star program by March 31, 2023, at the very least at the Entry Level. Furthermore, by September 30, 2024, childcare facilities serving CCS children must obtain star-level quality accreditation.
Website: https://www.twc.texas.gov/programs/childcare
Recommended: Top 10 Solar Companies in Texas & Their Services
Texas Financial Aid Programs (for higher education)
A variety of financial aid programs are available from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to help students pursue higher education.
The Office of Student Financial Assistance Programs (SFAP) oversees state financial assistance programs and is dedicated to advancing financial aid understanding for Texas students, borrowers, and institutions of higher learning through superior customer service, communication, and training.
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board offers various financial aid programs, some of which are:
The Toward EXcellence, Access, and Success (TEXAS) Grant offers financial support to qualified students enrolled in Texas public higher education institutions.
Texas Educational Opportunity grant (TEOG): This award offers aid to students attending public two-year schools in Texas who are in financial need.
Texas B-On-Time (BOT) Loan: This loan program provides zero-interest loans to eligible Texas students who are seeking undergraduate degrees at Texas public or private non-profit institutions of higher education.
Texas Transfer Grant Pilot Program: This grant helps students who transfer from a Texas community college to a four-year university and are in financial need.
Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) State Grant: This grant offers eligible students who have encountered an unexpected difficulty that interferes with their ability to complete their education immediate financial aid.
Texas students who are unable to cover the cost of attendance can apply for a College Access Loan (CAL) through this loan program.
Future Occupations & Reskilling Workforce Advancement to Reach Demand (FORWARD) Loan: This loan program provides low-interest loans to eligible Texas residents who are seeking workforce training or reskilling opportunities.
Website: https://www.highered.texas.gov/our-work/supporting-our-institutions/student-financial-aid-programs/
Texas Food Banks
In Texas, there are numerous food banks that help those in need. Here are a few of the Texas food banks:
The main source of donated food for organizations that fight hunger and feeding programs in Tarrant and the 12 counties around it is the Tarrant Area Food Bank, which is based in Fort Worth and provides 1,000,000 meals each week.
The only food bank that directly serves the hungry in our community is the Community Food Bank, which is proud to have the resources to provide both perishable and non-perishable goods. It is located in North Fort Worth.
Website: https://www.feedingtexas.org/about-us/our-network/
Texas Legal Aid Programs (e.g., Texas RioGrande Legal Aid)
Texas has several legal aid programs that offer low-income people free legal services. The most noticeable ones include:
- Texas RioGrande Legal Aid offers low-income residents of 68 Texas counties free legal advice, representation, and educational programs.
- The Dallas-Fort Worth metro region as well as Northwest Texas are served by Legal Aid of Northwest Texas.
- This organization offers free legal services to asylum seekers in South Texas. It is known as the South Texas Pro Bono Asylum Representation Project.
- Houston Volunteer Lawyers: This group offers low-income Harris County citizens free legal assistance.
Website: https://txcourts.gov/programs-services/legal-aid
Weatherization Assistance Program
The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is a program that attempts to lower energy expenses for low-income households while protecting their health and safety by improving the energy efficiency of their homes. It is the biggest whole-house domestic energy efficiency program in the country.
The program uses funds from the Department of Energy (DOE) to offer weatherization services to over 35,000 households annually. According to a national study of the program, these households save an average of $372 or more annually thanks to weatherization renovations and enhancements.
WAP has provided weatherization services to more than 7 million families since the program’s inception in 1976, enhancing their quality of life.
Website: https://www.energy.gov/scep/wap
Other hardship grants in Texas include:
| Texas Homebuyer Assistance Program | https://thetexashomebuyerprogram.com/homebuyers |
| Texas Medicare Savings Program | https://www.hhs.texas.gov/resources/medicare-savings-programs |
| Texas Veterans’ Assistance Programs | https://www.tvc.texas.gov/grants/general-assistance-grants/ |
FAQ
What is the Texas Financial Hardship Program?
HHS provides Texans who are struggling with financial aid. Cash is available from TANF to help with bills, food purchases, and supporting your family. TANF assists families in meeting their daily expenses.
What is free money for disabled people in Texas?
For Texas residents who are disabled, this program offers cash assistance that can be put toward daily expenses. The grant can be used to pay for a variety of expenses, including food, clothing, utilities, housing, transportation, phones, laundry, furniture, and home goods.
