Food and Housing

• The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in Texas operates with federal funding, providing funds for food on the Lone Star Card. Temporary Assistance to Needy Families also uses federal funds and federal guidelines, providing financial aid for housing and necessities. Additionally, the Salvation Army, St. Vincent de Paul and local churches provide food and housing assistance with proven need. Food banks and food pantries operate throughout the state of Texas, feeding needy families who do not qualify for SNAP benefits or who are waiting to qualify.
  
  

Medical Care

• Texas places emphasis on medical care for children, with programs in place for low-income families to receive excellent care. Pregnant women receive care as well, and the baby can receive medical and preventive care. Children's Medicaid provides medical care to needy children with federal funds. The next tier of health insurance for children is Children's Health Insurance Program, a joint effort between Texas and the federal government. Families whose income is over the Medicaid limit may receive CHIP benefits with reduced payment and reduced costs. CHIP has a prenatal program to assist low-income pregnant women that continues to provide insurance coverage for mother and baby for the first year of the baby's life. The Texas Department of State Health Services provides community health care to low-income individuals in medical categories like epilepsy, hemophilia, audiology and dental health.
  
  

Energy Assistance

• The Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program provides utility assistance for low-income families and individuals who have outstanding energy bills. CEAP also promotes energy conservation and education. Community development programs channel these funds to the low-income families, but the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs operates the program. Weatherization of low-income family housing provides long-term lowering of energy costs. These funds provide energy-saving home improvements and education to families under the Weatherization Assistance Program. The Texas Public Utilities Commission operates the Lite-Up Texas Program for utility assistance to low-income families below 125 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. The Link-Up Program provides telephone installation at reduced cost to families within 150 percent of federal poverty guidelines.
  
  

Legal Services

• Texas has Legal Aid and assistance programs for low-income individuals to get legal help. Texas Law Help website has do-it-yourself forms and explanations of your rights. This website also has a link to legal aid and tailors the information to the needs of low-income families and individuals. Low-income families and individuals in Texas must be legal residents of the state to take advantage of most programs.