Hidalgo County assistance programs.

Find where to go to for help in the area of Hidalgo County Texas.

Utility, housing and other emergency help

The Salvation Army branch located in McAllen offers several resources and services, and they are also  trying to offer some assistance to Rio Grande Valley families as the summer heat kicks into gear and temperatures increase.

The organizations “Beat the Heat” summer assistance campaign will provide fee air conditioning units as well as several hundred 500 20-inch fans to Rio Grande Valley residents who need help before Sept. 30.

There are some conditions to getting help. Valley residents who are need of aid who currently have health problems will receive the free air conditioning units, while any local resident without financial means or experiencing a hardship can receive a free fan or more.

The local utility companies are funding the plan. CPL Retail Energy, which supplies electricity to customers throughout South Texas and is the primary utility company, donated $7,000 to start the campaign.

In addition to the service above, for those families who find themselves behind on their housing payments, or in the middle of an unexpected short term hardship or crisis, the Salvation Army provides assistance with paying rent and or direct cash grants for utility bill payments.

In addition, they offer clothing, food assistance from a pantry, senior and elder programs, free shelter for people who are homeless, and holiday gifts and meals. Call the Salvation Army, McAllen/Hidalgo County location at (956) 682-1468.

 

 

 

Help with rent, bills, prescriptions, and other financial assistance

Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, which is based in San Juan but has programs that service all of Hidalgo County, offers numerous assistance programs for individuals and families in need. Emergency Assistance is offered, which includes. Electric Bill Assistance - This is financial :assistance to help people pay utility bills. Funding is limited. Tim's Coats is a program that distributes winter coats for needy families. Other assistance programs will respond to persons needing assistance with prescriptions, rent help, shelter, and transportation expenses related to medical need. The center can also provide over the counter medication. Dial (956)702-4088.

If you are aged 65 or older, Silver Ribbon Community Partners (phone (956)682-1301) offers numerous services and resources for seniors. They offer financial assistance and resources for the emergency payment of shelter, transportation, payment of utilities and cooling bills as well prescription drugs. They also run a room with emergency supplies such as ensure, prescriptions, Glucerna, clothes, canned items, medical items, diabetes supplies, and small medical equipment for seniors health care needs.

Advocacy Resource Center For Housing ARCH  - A number of housing and rent programs are offered. ARCH educates tenants on their rights, helps mediate landlord-tenant problems or issues referrals are sent to Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid. The non-profit may provide case management and financial assistance with paying rent, security deposit, utility bills and deposits, disconnection notices, moving expenses, hotel and motel vouchers, eviction prevention, and foreclosure prevention assistance. 2507 Buddy Owens Boulevard, McAllen, Texas 78504, (956)631-4277

County Of Hidalgo Community Service Agency - This non profit administers social service and government programs for working poor as well as low-income eligible clients through direct services for utilities such as offering cash grants or payments for electric pr gas current bill or disconnection notice, or propane for heating or cooling purposes and as the weather dictates. Other programs can include housing advice, food pantry, clothing, and more. 2524 North Closner, Edinburg, Texas 78540, (956)383-6240

Mortgage, debt, and foreclosure counseling in Hidalgo County Texas

There are several different non-profit organizations and HUD approved location to contact.

Amigos Del Valle, Incorporated provides counselors with Money Debt Management and Debt Reduction Services, Advice on Predatory Lending, and Mortgage Delinquency and Default Resolution Counseling. Also learn about payday lending laws. They are based in Mission Texas and can be reached at (956)581-9494.

 

 

South Texas - McAllen Consumer Credit Counseling  offers consumers and homeowners in Hidalgo County with a host of assistance programs and options. Among the services offered by counselors include Debt, budget and credit card counseling, debt management and consolidation plans, Consumer education and information, help for credit card bills, Pre-Bankruptcy counseling and certificates. In addition, they are one of the Texas HUD approved housing counseling agencies So they offer homeowners and borrowers with Mortgage Delinquency and Default Resolution Counseling, Foreclosure Prevention Counseling, and provide information on Texas mortgage assistance programs. Dial (800)333-4357.

Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid, Incorporated TRLA provides consumers with free legal advice on Mortgage Delinquency and Mortgage Default Resolution Counseling, Home Pre purchase Counseling, Landlord/Tenant Disputes, and Renters Assistance Programs. (956)447-4800.

Debt help and credit counseling

If you need help paying your medial or credit card debts, or just need advice on how to improve your credit scores or gain budgeting skills, Consumer Credit Counseling Service is a non-profit agency that may be able to help. Among other services, they provide free budgeting skills. They can help people reduce and control their debt expenses. And they also offer foreclosure and housing counseling.

Some of the solutions they recommend include entering into a debt management program, consolidate your bills, consumer education and information, debt crisis assistance. They operate a total of five area offices. They also offer free telephone counseling available. Call them for an appointment to start down the path of reducing your debts. Click here to find additional ways to reduce debts, or dial them at 956-428-0072.

Free food and groceries

Two locations to turn to if you need food or groceries include the Rio Grande Food Bank (956) 682-8101) as well as the Open Hands Community Charitable Services. Both partner with other agencies and charities to provide food to needy families in the area.

Food Bank Of The Rio Grande Valley, Inc. is another charity organization that distributes food, groceries’, and commodities for the needy individuals in the county on an emergency basis through food pantries, churches and feeding programs. (877)682-8443

Free legal aid and consultations

In addition to Rio Grande mentioned above, another non-profit law firm is South Texas Civil Rights Project. They provide free legal services for low income people. Click here to learn more, or dial (956)787-8171.

Low income and health care for under and uninsured

Nuestra Clinica Familiar is a clinic that provides health care to local residents. If you can’t afford to pay you can still take advantage of the facility. The health care clinic maintains nine separate service sites and medical facilities, and it provides medical services such as laboratory, radiology, family planning, pharmacy and prescription medications, integrated eligibility, social services, nutrition counseling, HIV/AIDS testing and counseling, and health education and training. The facility will help patients pay for dental and/or medical services. Dial (956) 787-8915 to learn more or apply for medical help.

The Nuestra Clinica has several branches around the county. However that is not your only option. People who are struggling with paying their medical bills have other health centers they can contact for assistance. Find more clinics in Hidalgo County.