Core Relief Texas (2025)

FAQs

Who is eligible for utility core relief in Texas? ›

Texas homeowners and renters need to meet the following criteria to qualify for the program: Household income must be at or below 150% of Federal Poverty Income Guidelines (FPIG). At least one occupant in the household must be a U.S. citizen or qualified alien.

Qualified homeowners and renters can get help with total past due utility payments for electricity, natural gas, and propane plus up to $2,400 in prospective payments.

The Utility Assistance Program (UAP) helps low-income families with electricity service, gas, propane, water, and wastewater bills. The low-income Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) offers grants for utility payments and invests in weatherization to reduce long-term energy costs.

The program launched in February 2021 and closed in the summer of 2023. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs administered the program with Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) funds from the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

The rules allow electric utilities to choose between two disconnection options during periods of extreme weather: if the forecasted temperature is above 95°F or below 32°F, or they can choose to continue utilizing the June 1 through October 15 disconnection moratorium period.

HHS offers cash assistance to Texans going through tough times. The Texas Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program offers cash to help pay bills, buy food, and help see your family through. TANF helps families pay for basic living needs.

Qualifying households can receive assistance with qualifying utility bills even if they are current on their bill. For electricity and gas, this assistance is a one-time lump sum advance payment to the utility for 100% of annual usage up to the household maximum of $2,400.

Are you behind on rent or need help paying your utility bills? The Texas Rent Relief Program can help. The Texas Rent Relif Program has emergency funds available to help Texas renters pay current and past due rent and utility bills.

Household Members: age 18 or older:

-VALID driver's license or photo identification card. 2. Proof of income (last 30 days paystubs or signed Declaration of Income Form if income is unavailable) 3. A copy of your most recent utility bill.

In order to apply for CEAP assistance, you will have to contact a participating community action agency. Texas has multiple agencies throughout the state that qualify residents and distribute funds. You can dial (877) 399-8939 or 211 or visit 211Texas to reach a community agency in your area.

What are the benefits for low-income people in Texas? ›

The TX-HAF Program is administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. The Homeowner Assistance Fund was established by the American Rescue Plan to help homeowners who have fallen behind on their mortgage payments or property charges because of hardships related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The IRS has announced tax relief for individuals and businesses in Texas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding that began on April 26, 2024. The affected taxpayers now have until November 1, 2024, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.

The Texas Supreme Court issued emergency orders pausing eviction hearings and writs of possession during parts of 2020 and 2021. Federal and state rental assistance has also been expanded to help tenants facing financial hardship. Currently, eviction hearings have resumed statewide.

TERAP provides rental assistance to income-eligible households impacted by COVID-19 to help them stay housed during the pandemic. The program can pay up to six months of an eligible household's rent, including rental arrears, with at least one of those months covering a month of future rent.

Households must have incomes at or below 80% of the Area Median Income and meet other eligibility requirements. For full details, visit the TexasRentRelief website. For Information, Call Toll-Free or Email: 1-833-9TX-RENT.