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When facing tough times, knowing what government assistance you can get in Texas is a critical first step toward stability. The process of finding and applying for help can feel overwhelming, especially when you're managing financial stress.
The state's support system is vast, offering help with food, healthcare, cash assistance, housing, and more. This breakdown provides a direct, organized, and human-centered map to the programs available to Texans, helping you identify the support you need and how to access it.
Understanding the System: Your First Steps
Texas's benefits landscape is primarily managed by three large state agencies, each responsible for different types of aid. This structure means that a family might need to interact with more than one agency to meet all their needs, creating a complex web of applications and offices.
However, the state provides two powerful tools to help you navigate this system. For anyone unsure where to begin, these are the best starting points.
The state's reliance on online portals like YourTexasBenefits.com reflects a move toward digital efficiency. While this is convenient for many, it can present a challenge for individuals without reliable internet access or digital skills.
For this reason, it's important to know that help is also available by phone and in person at local state offices and through community partner organizations.
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) oversees the state's main programs designed to ensure families have access to nutritious food.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
The SNAP program, formerly known as food stamps, helps low-income families buy the food they need for good health. Benefits are provided on a Lone Star Card, which functions like a debit card at grocery stores and other authorized retailers.
SNAP funds can be used to purchase food items like bread, fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy products. However, they cannot be used to buy alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, or prepared hot foods, though exceptions for hot foods are sometimes made during natural disasters like hurricanes or winter storms.
Who is Eligible for SNAP?
To qualify for SNAP, you must be a Texas resident and meet certain income and resource limits.
Most adults between 18 and 52 who do not have children in the home can only receive SNAP for three months in a three-year period. This time limit does not apply if the person is working at least 20 hours per week or is in a job training program.
Simplified Application for Seniors and People with Disabilities
For households where all members are either age 60 or older or have a disability, Texas offers the Texas Simplified Application Project (TSAP). This program simplifies the application process and provides benefits for three years at a time instead of the standard six months, reducing the paperwork burden on vulnerable populations.
Benefit Amounts and Income Limits
The amount of SNAP benefits a household receives depends on its size and monthly income. The following table provides the maximum monthly income to qualify and the maximum benefit amount you could receive for 2025.
| Family Size | Maximum Monthly Income | Maximum Monthly SNAP Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,005 | $291 |
| 2 | $2,005 | $535 |
| 3 | $3,419 | $766 |
| 4 | $4,125 | $973 |
| 5 | $4,832 | $1,155 |
| 6 | $5,539 | $1,386 |
| 7 | $6,246 | $1,532 |
| 8 | $6,953 | $1,751 |
| Each additional person | +$707 | +$219 |
How to Apply for SNAP
The primary way to apply for SNAP is online at YourTexasBenefits.com. You can also apply by visiting a local HHSC benefits office or with the help of a community partner organization. The Your Texas Benefits mobile app is a useful tool for managing your case after you've applied.
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
WIC is a specialized nutrition program designed to support the health of pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, women who have recently given birth, infants, and children up to the age of five. It provides more than just food; it offers a comprehensive package of nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to other health and social services.
Who is Eligible for WIC?
To be eligible for WIC in Texas, an applicant must meet four criteria:
What Benefits Does WIC Provide?
WIC provides a package of benefits tailored to the specific needs of its participants. This includes a WIC card to purchase specific healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, milk, eggs, and infant formula or baby food.
The program is also a major source of breastfeeding support. It offers access to lactation consultants, peer counselors, and even breast pumps for mothers who need them.
How to Apply for WIC
Unlike SNAP, WIC applications are not handled through the YourTexasBenefits.com portal. Instead, you must apply in person at a local WIC clinic. You can find your nearest WIC clinic by using the locator tool on the Texas WIC website or by calling 800-942-3678. The myWIC app can help you manage appointments and check your food benefits once enrolled.
HHSC also manages the state's largest programs providing free or low-cost health insurance to Texans.
Texas Medicaid
Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides health coverage to millions of Americans. It serves eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults, and people with disabilities. In Texas, Medicaid covers a wide range of medical services, including doctor visits, hospital care, and prescription drugs.
Who Does Medicaid Cover?
While eligibility rules are complex, Medicaid in Texas primarily serves:
Key Specialized Medicaid Programs
To meet diverse needs, Texas offers several specialized Medicaid programs, including:
How to Apply for Medicaid
Applications for all Texas Medicaid programs are submitted through the YourTexasBenefits.com portal, which streamlines the process for families.
Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is designed to fill the gap for families who earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford to buy private health insurance for their children.
CHIP provides comprehensive coverage for children up to age 19. This includes regular check-ups, immunizations, dental care, and prescriptions.
CHIP Eligibility and Cost
Eligibility for CHIP is based on family size and income. Unlike Medicaid, which is free for those who qualify, some families on CHIP may be required to pay a small annual enrollment fee and co-pays for certain services. These costs are capped and depend on the family's income, ensuring that care remains affordable.
How to Apply for CHIP
The application process for CHIP is combined with the Medicaid application at YourTexasBenefits.com. When a family applies for health coverage for their children, the system automatically determines whether the children are eligible for Medicaid or CHIP, simplifying the process for parents.
Health Insurance Premium Payment (HIPP) Program
The Health Insurance Premium Payment (HIPP) program is a lesser-known but highly valuable form of assistance. If an individual is eligible for Medicaid and also has access to a private health insurance plan, such as through an employer, the HIPP program may pay the monthly premiums for that private plan.
This allows the Medicaid recipient to keep their private insurance while Medicaid covers any additional costs. To qualify, a family member must be on Medicaid and the employer-sponsored health plan must be deemed cost-effective by the state.
For families facing severe financial hardship, HHSC administers the state's primary cash assistance program.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
TANF provides direct monthly cash payments to families with very low incomes to help them pay for basic necessities such as housing, utilities, clothing, and transportation. The program is designed to be temporary and emphasizes work, requiring adult recipients to participate in job training or search for employment.
Who is Eligible for TANF?
TANF has some of the strictest eligibility requirements of any state program. Families must have children aged 18 or younger and have very little income and few financial assets.
To receive benefits, adult recipients must agree to follow a set of program rules. These include cooperating with child support enforcement, not quitting a job, and ensuring their children attend school and receive vaccinations.
Types of TANF Assistance
Texas offers three distinct types of TANF assistance to meet different needs:
TANF Benefit Amounts and Income Limits
TANF income limits and payment amounts are complex and vary based on family size and whether one or two parents are in the home.
| Family Size | Maximum Monthly Income (1-Parent Home) | Maximum Monthly TANF Amount (1-Parent Home) | Maximum Monthly Income (2-Parent Home) | Maximum Monthly TANF Amount (2-Parent Home) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $78 | $147 | N/A | N/A |
| 2 | $162 | $305 | $178 | $234 |
| 3 | $202 | $353 | $223 | $386 |
| 4 | $264 | $424 | $271 | $434 |
| 5 | $298 | $471 | $314 | $503 |
How to Apply for TANF
Applications for all forms of TANF assistance are submitted through the YourTexasBenefits.com portal.
Assistance with housing and energy bills is primarily overseen by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA). A key aspect of TDHCA's operation is that it generally does not provide services directly to the public.
Instead, it acts as a funding agency. TDHCA distributes federal and state money to a network of local nonprofit organizations and government agencies, known as subrecipients, that deliver assistance to Texans in their communities.
Help with Utility Bills
TDHCA manages several programs to help low-income households with their energy costs.
How to Apply for Utility Help
Because TDHCA works through local partners, you do not apply to the state for these programs. Instead, you must contact the local Community Action Agency or utility assistance provider that serves your county.
You can find your local provider by using the "Help for Texans" search tool on the TDHCA website. You can also get a referral by calling 2-1-1.
Rental and Housing Assistance
TDHCA and its local partners offer several resources for renters and those facing housing instability.
A Note on Emergency Programs
It is important to note that large-scale, crisis-response programs like the Texas Rent Relief (TRR) Program and the Texas Homeowner Assistance Fund (TXHAF) have closed. These programs were created using temporary federal funds allocated during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Once that funding was exhausted, the programs ended. This highlights the nature of emergency assistance: when new programs are created in response to future crises, the window to apply may be limited, so prompt action is often necessary.
Homeownership Assistance
For those looking to buy a home, TDHCA offers The Texas Homebuyer Program. This program provides down payment assistance and 30-year mortgage loans, often with competitive interest rates, to eligible first-time homebuyers. To access these benefits, you must work with a participating lender approved by TDHCA.
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) oversees programs designed to support the state's workforce, including unemployment benefits for those who have lost a job and child care assistance for working parents.
Unemployment Benefits
Unemployment insurance is an employer-paid program that provides temporary, partial income replacement to workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own.
Who is Eligible for Unemployment?
Qualifying for unemployment benefits in Texas depends on three factors:
How Much Can You Receive?
Your Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA) is calculated based on your earnings in the highest-paid quarter of your base period. For 2025, the WBA ranges from a minimum of $74 to a maximum of $591 per week.
The total amount of benefits you can receive in a year is known as your Maximum Benefit Amount (MBA). This is generally 26 times your WBA.
How to Apply for Unemployment
You should apply for benefits as soon as you become unemployed. You can apply online using TWC's Unemployment Benefits Services portal or by calling a TWC Tele-Center at 800-939-6631.
Be prepared to provide your Social Security number, driver's license or state ID number, and detailed information about your last employer.
Child Care Services (CCS)
The TWC's Child Care Services (CCS) program provides scholarships (also known as subsidies) to help eligible low-income parents pay for child care. This support enables parents to work, attend school, or participate in job training programs.
Who is Eligible for Child Care Assistance?
Eligibility for a child care scholarship is determined by local Workforce Development Boards, but general requirements include:
Income Guidelines (Example)
Income limits vary slightly by region. The table below is an example of the maximum gross monthly income limits for a family to qualify for child care assistance.
| Family Size | Maximum Gross Monthly Income |
|---|---|
| 2 | $4,971 |
| 3 | $6,141 |
| 4 | $7,311 |
| 5 | $8,481 |
| 6 | $9,650 |
How to Apply for Child Care Help
The CCS program is administered by 28 local Workforce Development Boards across Texas. The state has launched a new centralized portal, TexasChildCareConnection.org, where families can complete an eligibility screener and apply for assistance.
This portal will connect you with your local workforce board, which will guide you through the rest of the process.
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services
TWC also offers Vocational Rehabilitation services to help Texans with physical or mental disabilities prepare for, find, and retain employment. This can include counseling, training, and other support services tailored to the individual's needs and career goals.
Navigating the system is easier when you know who to contact. Here are the primary state agencies responsible for government assistance in Texas.
For immediate crises, you might qualify for One-Time TANF, which provides a single $1,000 payment to families for essentials like rent or utilities. You can also call 2-1-1 to be connected with local charities and agencies that provide rapid financial assistance for emergencies like eviction or utility disconnection.
Yes, you can still qualify for SNAP food benefits while employed, provided your household income is within the program limits. For able-bodied adults without dependents, there is a requirement to work or participate in a work program for at least 20 hours per week to receive benefits long-term.
The primary difference is who they serve and what they provide. SNAP offers general food assistance for low-income households of any type. WIC specifically supports pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children under five by providing a prescribed list of nutritious foods, formula, and health screenings.
Eligibility depends on immigration status. "Qualified non-citizens," such as lawful permanent residents (LPRs), refugees, and asylees, may be eligible for programs like SNAP and Medicaid, though some may face a waiting period. Undocumented individuals are generally not eligible for most federal benefits but may access some community services.
If your application is denied, you have the right to appeal the decision. You must request a "Fair Hearing" within a specific timeframe, usually by calling 2-1-1 or following the instructions on your denial letter. For unemployment, you must file an appeal with the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC).
Renewal periods vary by program. Medicaid and CHIP typically require renewal every 12 months. SNAP renewal is often every 6 months, but for households with only seniors or people with disabilities (TSAP), the certification period is three years. You will receive a notice when it is time to renew.
Yes. The Texas Simplified Application Project (TSAP) offers a much shorter application for SNAP benefits for people age 60 or older and provides a 3-year certification period instead of six months. Seniors may also qualify for Medicaid for the Elderly and People with Disabilities (MEPD) for healthcare needs.
The Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) offers benefits beyond standard assistance, including property tax exemptions, low-interest home and land loans, specialized employment services, and tuition support for college through the Hazlewood Act. These are specifically for those who have served in the military and their families.
For free assistance, you can call 2-1-1 and a representative can guide you through the process. You can also visit a local Health and Human Services (HHS) office or find a community partner organization in your area, such as a local food bank, that offers application help.
Benefit duration is limited. For adults, TANF cash assistance has a lifetime limit that typically ranges from 12 to 36 months, depending on your work history and other factors. Children can continue to receive benefits even after an adult in the household reaches their time limit.
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