Bexar County assistance programs.

Find how to get help paying bills

If you live in the San Antonio area or Bexar County, the Community Service Program is an organization that provides emergency assistance for bills and also counseling and case management services. The programs are  designed to both improve the immediate individual and family needs of residents of San Antonio and Bexar County, and to also ensure people get what they need for their long term success. Services provided by this organization include:

• Emergency Rental Assistance and Help With Security Deposits
• Emergency Utility Bill Assistance, including gas, water, and electric
• Emergency Food Aid
• Free Prescription Drugs
• Water Conservation Program and Water Bill Assistance
• SAWS Affordability Discount Program Application (Download)
• Disability Public Assistance Program
• Counseling, Information, Referral, and Follow-up Assistance
• Case Management
• Assistance with Bus Tickets and Transportation
• Mortgage Assistance and Foreclosure Prevention Services
• Ways to deal with debt, including settlement and debt consolidation
• Project Warm
• Miscellaneous items
• Form Preparation (Social Security, job applications, TANF, Food Stamp forms), Interpretation of documents in Spanish and English.

The Community Service Program has 8 offices and locations throughout the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Dial 210/207-7830 to inquire which CSP center is nearest to you and serves your residential zip code.

 

 

 

Project WARM

The W.A.R.M program, which stands for (Project Winter Assistance Relief Mobilization) program, was designed to assist City Public Service rate payers with providing them utility rate relief and aid.

It is a collaborative effort between the Community Action Division, San Antonio Water Systems, the Association of Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling Contractors (PHCC) and also the Association of Plumbing Distributors and they will assist low and moderate income families with needed but unaffordable plumbing repairs. By repairing/replacing faulty equipment or fixing leaks in a timely manner, families and individuals are able to avoid more costly and physically threatening damage while the city as a whole preserves its most precious resource, its water supply. Call 210-2027-7830 to apply for this program.

Funds and programs to help deal with a hardship

Especially with the current economic environment, many people need some short term assistance to make it through an emergency or hardship. The Madonna Neighborhood Center provides Emergency assistance and financial grants that can be used to help with hardship or crisis situations. For example, receive food, counseling, referrals, rent and energy bill help. Senior citizens recreational programs are also available. 432-2374.

If you are low income or struggling, another organization to turn to is Presa Community Service Center.

Last, but not least, the Houston Salvation Army will from time to time have funds that can be used to pay rent, utility bills, provide free food and clothing, and other forms of aid. Dial the Salvation Army at 352-2000.

Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of San Antonio, Inc. also offers a crisis intervention program, counseling, family and children services, and programs for seniors. 222-1294.

Receive short term emergency assistance (such as clothes, holiday gifts and meals, and limited financial help for bills) from the Ella Austin Community Center. The location is a multi-purpose social service agency that provides family emergency services, child development, youth advocacy, nutrition, family counseling, education, and activities and resources for seniors. Phone number 224-2351.

GRASP (Greater Randolph Area Services Program) (phone number 658-6351) is funded by a variety of local sources, including the United Way. The GRASP programs offer emergency financial aid and assistance to those Bexar County families that are experiencing a household crisis or short term emergency, and who live in areas of Bexar, San Antonio or Guadalupe Counties. If you apply for help and are determined to be eligible, households can receive emergency assistance and cash grants for paying rent, utilities and air conditioning bills, food, prescription medicine and medical bills. In addition, the GRASP Thrift Shop provides free clothing and house wares and products to needy families. The agency provides its programs such as emergency financial assistance, senior transportation, food pantry, daily activities and nutritious meals at the GRASP Community Center in Converse, as well as other locations in the area.

San Antonio Center for Working Families Program offers numerous services and options to low income families. Among other options include job placement, emergency rent and utility assistance, medical equipment and prescription assistance, budget and debt programs, and much more. Dial (210) 207-7830.

Bexar County Department Of Community Resources Main Office - This location may be able to assists low income households and families that need energy-related assistance. Services offered by this location include case management, funds to pay for an energy crisis, elderly and disabled assistance and heating/cooling systems assistance, and also co-payment. (210) 335-6770

CAM Social Services, which is formally known as Christian Assistance Ministry, offers emergency food and clothing to the low income, limited financial assistance for paying rent and bills, referral services to local charities and non-profits, and more. San Antonio Texas (210)223-6648

Alamo Area Resource Center – Runs programs for HIV/AIDs patients. It can help people by providing rental and utility assistance, meals, case management, medical transportation and assessments/referrals for other programs. In addition, work with a counselor for provides housing location assistance, free legal services, assistance in filling out government assistance program applications, such as social security. 527 N. Leona, 3rd Floor, San Antonio, TX 78207, dial (210) 358-9995.

Comprehensive Emergency Assistance and Senior Congregate Meal and Activities – Will try to help stabilize programs by providing free emergency food and clothing assistance, budget and debt reduction, utility bill and rent assistance, information and referral to charities in Bexar and surrounding area, and other various seasonal programs such as food baskets for the holidays. Address is 250 Donalan, Converse, Texas 78109. Call (210) 658-6351

Emergency Assistance – RACAP – The non-profit offers energy bill and utility and rent assistance, free food pantry, prescription medications, and referrals to other charities and agencies. 307 Pfeil St., Schertz, TX 78154, call (210) 658-1613.

Society of St. Vincent de Paul - By working with local churches and Catholic parishes, the Society of St. Paul provides food, groceries, clothing and financial assistance for expenses. One Haven for Hope Way, San Antonio, TX 78207, phone (210) 225-7837

Agape Ministry Emergency Assistance Program – Families in a crisis can get emergency assistance. Services provided include access to a household items, food pantry, clothing, and limited financial assistance for utilities and electric bills. 127 Lanark, San Antonio, Texas 78218, phone (210) 590-6655

Bulverde Food Pantry, Inc. – This is a local community-based service organization that is involved in helping people in crisis by supplying limited financial assistance, food and clothing, coordinating with local utility providers and enabling connections to appropriate support agencies for specific needs. Address is 2295-1 Bulverde Rd, Bulverde, Texas 78163, dial (830) 438-7899

St. Peter - St. Joseph Children's Home – Some of the programs offered include vouchers for a thrift store, rent/housing assistance, utility bill financial assistance, help in enrolling in GED classes/testing or college courses, completion of SSI government application and referrals, food, and more. 919 Mission Rd., San Antonio, TX 78210, phone (210) 531-8555

The Eats Foundation – Vouchers and aid including medications, emergency financial assistance for bills, and a food pantry is on site. 767 S. Saunders, Seguin, Texas 78155, (830) 372-4900

Locate additional low income assistance programs.

Bexar County Texas statewide assistance programs and non-profits

Many agencies and assistance programs cover all of Texas, including San Antonio and Bexar County. Find how to get help with bills, foreclosure prevention, debt help, food, and other support.

• Texas utility assistance
• Texas free legal aid
• Texas community clinics
• Texas section 8 housing
• Texas foreclosure and mortgage assistance
• Texas free HUD foreclosure counseling
• Texas food banks
• Texas dental clinics

Assistance for paying utility and cooling bills

Contact the Bexar County - Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) at (210) 335-6770. the program assists low to moderate income households needing energy bill help. Services offered by the program include case management, energy crisis, heating/cooling systems assistance, and cash grants. They may also be able to provide financial and rent assistance. Locate more Texas utility assistance resources.

Water Bills - Residents of San Antonio can sign up for a payment plan that is created by customer donation. The San Antonio Water System may be able to provide financial assistance for people who are faced with an emergency situation. Read more San Antonio water assistance programs.

Free foreclosure counseling, debt and mortgage delinquency services

Two non-profits in San Antonio and Bexar County to contact for foreclosure assistance include Fair Housing/Housing Counseling Program ((210) 207-5910) and also the Foreclosure Prevention Counseling Program - SA Housing Trust at (210) 735-2772. Both of the organizations offer default mortgage counseling, financial literacy and advice  instruction, financial mortgage assistance; predatory lending counseling and education. In addition, work with a counselor to receive free foreclosure counseling assistance that can help homeowners who are in or nearing foreclosure with referrals to additional resources, including government programs such as the federal government Home Affordable Refinance Program.

In addition to those non-profit organizations listed above, several other agencies can help Bexar County residents reduce and pay off credit card debts and unsecured loans. They offer negotiation and debt consolidation services and even mortgage assistance programs. Read more San Antonio Texas credit counseling agencies.

 

 

Housing and Rent Assistance

The federal government through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will allocate almost $30 million for assistance programs in Bexar County and San Antonio Texas.

HUD, which is a federal agency, is granting the funds by using a total of five separate federally funded grant programs. They include the  HOME program, the American Dream Down Payment Initiative, Community Development Block Grant program, the Emergency Shelter Grant program and also the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS program.

While not every American and county resident wants to or will attain the dream of owning a home, but what this aid will do at the very least is provide everyone with access to fair and low priced housing. This funding from the federal government is important to Bexar County residents as it will helps to expand affordable housing programs to low and mid income families.

While millions of dollars will be provided, who exactly will receive the money and is able to disburse it in San Antonio and Bexar County includes:

• Over $15 million will be provided through the Community Development Block Grant program. Both San Antonio and Bexar county will use these funds to develop low and mid income housing for local individuals.

• $7 million will be provided to the HOME program, which helps both local and state governments expand the amount of affordable housing and rent assistance that is available to both low- and moderate-income Texas families.

• Almost $50,000 from the American Dream Down payment Initiative which will help local residents with paying for both closing costs and provide down payment assistance for new homes.

• Almost $800,000 in funds will be provided from the Emergency Shelter Grant, which will be used to furnish free cash grants to local agencies and charities that will improve the quality of and the access to emergency homeless shelters and programs.

• Last, but not least, $1 million will be provided for the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS fund, which is a medical grant program that provides housing assistance to low-income and moderate income families that may be living with HIV/AIDS.

The federal government stimulus money will be disbursed through San Antonio’s Department of Community Initiatives. The funds will be managed and disbursed by 12 local contracting agencies and charities, including Family Service Association ((210) 657-6278) and Catholic Charities.

Another non-profit agency to contact in San Antonio is Home Sweet Home at (210) 352-2020. The agency also offers rent assistance programs for individuals and families who qualify.

How to prevent eviction and homeless prevention programs in Bexar County

Hundreds of families have been helped by SAMMinistries’ ((210) 979-6188) new Homeless Prevention Program. They recently have received an addition 2 million in grants and funding to expand the size of the program.

The Homeless Prevention Program offered by SAMMinistries’ will provides help with paying energy bills, rental assistance and funds, supportive services and counseling all in order to enable both families and individuals who are facing danger of foreclosure, eviction, or homelessness stay in their homes or apartments.

The size of the grant payments offered will average a few hundred dollars, and the money is paid directly to a  utility company, landlord, or other vendor that is owed for the bills or rent.

Other 30 different charities and organizations work with SAMMinistries, and the participating nonprofit agencies include Catholic Charities, Neighborhood Place through Family Services Association, Jewish Family and Children’s’ Service, Salvation Army, Christian Assistance Ministry (North), and the Daughters of Charity Service of San Antonio. In addition, the City of San Antonio is aiding with homeless prevention. Get a listing of regional San Antonio rent assistance programs and organizations.

Mental, Dental, and Health Care Services

CentroMed (210) 334-3750 is a local agency that is headquartered in San Antonio. It provides dental, medical,  mental health, nutrition, social services, and other health care assistance to low income and other economically disadvantaged, homeless and medically under served people in Bexar County. Click here to find other health care programs.

Receive medical and dental care, and access to social services, from the Daughters of Charity Services of San Antonio. 334-2300. The organization provides dental care at the La Mission Family Health Care. The care may be free, or it will be based at affordable fees based on the patients ability to pay. In addition, the charity offers low income and other needy individuals preventative services such as physicals, the Texas Health Step exams, and immunizations. Health care services can also include acute and chronic conditions such as heart conditions, diabetes, obesity, and hypertension. All of these medical programs are offered at the La Mission Family Health Care location.

A number of other government qualified health centers and clinics operate in Bexar County. They can offer free or low cost care to senior citizens, children, the low income, and anyone who needs medical attention. Find locations and details on more clinics in Bexar County.

Get free food and access to food assistance

The San Antonio Food Bank (431-8302) partners with local food distribution centers and charities, and the food bank collects and redistributing food to emergency pantries, charities and on-site feeding agencies in 15 counties throughout South Texas. You can call them to find the nearest distribution point to you.

To learn about pantries and places to turn to for food and groceries, contact the Emergency Food Pantry and Resource/Referral. Among other services, they provides food and groceries for those in need of help, and through case management, connects persons with other resources and services they may need to improve the quality of their lives and feed their family. Dial (210) 434-2301.

Those are two of the leading food banks in the area. Find additional San Antonio area food banks and pantries.

 

 

Programs that help seniors

The Greater Randolph Area Services Program (also known as GRASP) will help elderly and seniors over 55. It will help stabilize individuals and families who are facing a facing crisis situation. The agency can offer rent help, utility bill assistance and food assistance, to primarily help seniors who are 55+. 658-6351.

Presa Community Service center

This non-profit charity agency serves the poor, low income and other disadvantaged residents by providing them with food, rent assistance and funds to pay utility bills. The aid is fairly extensive, as it also offers assistance programs for the elderly and youth, counseling, transportation services, home-delivered meals, ad child care assistance and support. Call the agency at 532-5295.