Hidalgo County public assistance — HHSC benefits and county programs for residents
This Hidalgo County public assistance guide explains the programs available to residents through local Texas HHSC offices and through the county's own benefit programs. Benefits available here include SNAP food assistance, WIC nutrition support, Medicaid and CHIP health coverage, and TANF cash assistance. This plain-English guide also covers programs Hidalgo County offers on top of those, including the Hidalgo Blue indigent health care program, funeral assistance, and Veterans Services.
This page covers the benefits that are offered — a straightforward summary guide to how they work and how to apply. Hidalgo County covers the southern tip of Texas along the Rio Grande, spanning McAllen, Edinburg, Pharr, Mission, Weslaco, and dozens of surrounding communities. All programs listed here are available in English and Spanish.
SNAP food benefits - help paying for groceries
Hidalgo County residents can apply for SNAP food benefits at any local HHSC office in the county. Benefits load onto a Lone Star Card accepted at most grocery stores and discount retailers. Working households qualify as often as unemployed ones — agricultural workers, seasonal employees, and hourly service workers throughout the Rio Grande Valley frequently receive SNAP based on household income and size. Those facing an immediate food shortage can request expedited processing, aimed at a decision within seven days. Apply in person at any HHSC office below, online at YourTexasBenefits.com, or by calling 2-1-1.
WIC — nutrition support for women and young children
WIC provides monthly food benefits, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and health care referrals to pregnant women, new and breastfeeding mothers, infants, and children under 5. Benefits load onto a dedicated WIC card redeemable for specific approved foods — eggs, milk, produce, whole grains, beans, peanut butter, and infant formula among them. WIC and SNAP can both be active for the same household at the same time, as they cover different needs. To find the WIC clinic nearest you in Hidalgo County, call 2-1-1 or ask at a local HHSC office.
Funeral Assistance — county help for families facing burial costs
Hidalgo County offers a Funeral Assistance Program for income-qualifying residents who cannot cover burial expenses after a family member's death. This is a county-funded and county-administered benefit — not a state or federal program. Eligibility is reviewed based on income and household financial documentation. Contact Hidalgo County Health & Human Services at hchd.org or 1304 S 25th Ave, Edinburg TX 78539.
Medicaid and CHIP health coverage - government funded insurance programs
Medicaid provides free or low-cost health coverage to qualifying Hidalgo County residents — children, pregnant women, parents and caretaker relatives, people with disabilities, and low-income seniors. Applications are processed at local HHSC offices and at YourTexasBenefits.com. Texas has not expanded Medicaid, so working-age adults without children or a disability generally face narrow eligibility. Contact HHSC directly if you are unsure whether you qualify.
CHIP covers children in families that earn too much for Medicaid but cannot afford private insurance, and includes dental coverage. A dental-only CHIP option is also available. Medicaid and CHIP are applied for through the same process at HHSC.
TANF cash assistance - financial help to pay for bills
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families provides monthly cash to low-income families with children in Hidalgo County. The money can go toward any household necessity — rent, utilities, food, transportation, or clothing. Adult recipients who are able to work must generally participate in job training or employment activities. TANF carries a 60-month lifetime limit for adults.
Texas also offers One-Time TANF (OTTANF), a single emergency payment for households in acute crisis who may not qualify for regular monthly TANF. Ask about this specifically when contacting HHSC. See more on our guide how to get TANF in TX.
Hidalgo Blue / County Indigent Health Care Program — county coverage for those Medicaid won't reach
On top of state Medicaid, Hidalgo County runs its own health care program for low-income residents who do not qualify for Medicaid, CHIP, or any other state or federal coverage. The County Indigent Health Care Program — offered locally as Hidalgo Blue — is funded and administered by the county, not HHSC, and exists specifically for residents who fall through every other coverage option.
Covered services include physician visits, hospital care, prescriptions (up to three per month), family planning, lab and X-ray, immunizations, annual physicals, skilled nursing, and rural health services. Eligibility is based on income, household size, and proof of Hidalgo County residency. No one is denied services due to inability to pay. Apply through the Hidalgo County Health & Human Services Department at 1304 S 25th Avenue, Edinburg TX 78539. Website: https://hchd.org/
Veterans Services — free claims assistance for veterans and families
The Hidalgo County Veterans Services Division helps veterans, surviving spouses, and dependents file and pursue VA claims at no cost. Staff assist with claims for disability compensation, pension, education benefits, health care enrollment, and housing assistance. Any county resident who served in any branch of the military — including the National Guard and reserves — may use this service. See more details on the Hidalgo County Veterans Services Division at https://www.hidalgocounty.us/73/Veterans-Services.
How to apply
- For SNAP, WIC, Medicaid, CHIP, and TANF — apply at any HHSC office listed above, at YourTexasBenefits.com, or by calling 2-1-1 (alternate: 877-541-7905).
- For Hidalgo Blue / CIHCP and Funeral Assistance — hchd.org or 1304 S 25th Ave, Edinburg TX 78539.
- For Section 8 housing — hidalgocha.org or 956-968-8669.
- For Veterans Services — hidalgocounty.us/government/departments/veterans-services.
The following HHSC offices also process applications for SNAP, Medicaid, CHIP, and TANF. You can also apply anytime online at YourTexasBenefits.com or by calling 2-1-1. All offices serve residents in English and Spanish.
- McAllen: 4501 W Business Hwy 83, McAllen TX 78501 — (956) 630-9441
- Pharr: 1503 W Polk, Pharr TX 78577 — (956) 787-3131
- Mission: 4015 N Conway Ave, Mission TX 78574 — (956) 585-1579
- Edinburg: 2520 Closner Blvd, Edinburg TX 78541 — (956) 316-2489
- Weslaco: 3500 E Mooreland Dr, Weslaco TX 78596 — (956) 969-9115
- Elsa: S Hwy 88, Elsa TX 78543 — (956) 262-4701
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