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Family and Community Resources

Navigate Life Texas – This website was created by parents for parents, and Texas Parent to Parent oversees all the resources and edits all the pages that are on this website. You’ll find a lot of great information on diagnosis, insurance, Medicaid Waivers, family support, education and transition on this site. Try out the Search box to find whatever you need. There is a search page (Find Services, Groups and Events) for you to find services, groups and events. These resources are reviewed every 6 months and edited as needed. Most of the groups are parent groups of various kinds and the services are mostly nonprofits with no fees or who have a sliding fee scale. There are no therapy groups or doctors on this list. There are also a lot of great articles by parents and videos in both English & Spanish on this site.
 
211 Texas - 2-1-1 Texas, a program of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, is committed to helping Texas citizens connect with the services they need. Whether by phone or internet, our goal is to present accurate, well-organized and easy-to-find information from state and local health and human services programs. 2-1-1 Texas is a free, anonymous social service hotline available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. No matter where you live in Texas, you can dial 2-1-1, or (877) 541-7905, and find information about resources in your local community. Whether you need help finding food or housing, child care, crisis counseling or substance abuse treatment, one number is all you need to know.

Resources by Geographic Area:

State & National Resource List (PDF)
Amarillo and Vicinity (PDF)
Austin and Vicinity (PDF)
Corpus Christi and Vicinity (PDF)
Dallas/Ft. Worth and Vicinity (PDF)
El Paso and Vicinity (PDF)
Houston and Vicinity (PDF)
NICU State & National Resources (PDF)
Rio Grande Valley and Vicinity (PDF)
San Antonio and Vicinity (PDF)
Tyler & Vicinity (PDF)
Waco, Temple & Vicinity (PDF)

Food Resources

 

Texas Food Bank Network

 

Central Texas Food Banks

 

East Texas Food Banks

 

North Texas Food Banks

 

South Texas Food Banks

 

Other

Texas Meal Finder - find meals provided for free during summer and COVID-19 crisis

 

SNAP Food assistance: https://yourtexasbenefits.hhsc.texas.gov/programs/snap

 

Feeding Texas is a statewide, nonprofit leading a unified effort for a hunger-free Texas.

 

Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC) is a health and nutrition program that help improve the diets of infants and children as well as pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women.

 

Emergency Food Assistance Program Distributing a porting of the nation’s agriculture to low-income people and households.

 

 

Housing Assistance

Austin, TX 

Housing Authority of Travis County

The Housing Authority of Travis County (HATC) will open its multifamily housing waitlist on Monday, March 23, at 8 a.m. and close on Friday, March 27, at 5 p.m. You can complete the application process online. The housing agency is not providing in-person computer assistance during the open application period. You must have a current email address or phone number to complete the preliminary application and apply for the waitlist. You must also provide the full names, social security numbers, birth dates, and income information for all household members. 

 

Housing Authority of the City of Austin

HACA general inquiries can call 512-477-4488. Applicants can apply for the Housing Choice Voucher program, Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA), Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC)and Public Housing properties by completing one application. Pre-applications are required and can be submitted here.

 

Foundation Communities Provides low income apartments.

 

Lifeworks

  

Dallas, TX

Dallas Housing Authority (DHA) Housing Solutions of North Texas

Currently Accepting Applications for its Housing Choice Voucher Program, the Walker Settlement Housing Voucher Program and the Mainstream Housing Voucher program.

 

You can complete the application process online. The housing agency is not providing in-person computer assistance during the open application period. You must have a current email address or phone number to complete the preliminary application and apply for the waitlist. You must also provide the full names, social security numbers, birth dates, and income information for all household members. 

 

Houston, TX

Houston Housing Authority

Currently Accepting Applications for Housing Choice Voucher Program

 

You can complete the application process online. The housing agency is not providing in-person computer assistance during the open application period. You must have a current email address or phone number to complete the preliminary application and apply for the waitlist. You must also provide the full names, social security numbers, birth dates, and income information for all household members. 

 

San Antonio, TX 

San Antonio Housing Authority

Currently Accepting Applications. However, the Housing Choice Voucher Program is currently closed and is anticipated to open Summer 2020.

 

You can complete the application process online. The housing agency is not providing in-person computer assistance during the open application period. You must have a current email address or phone number to complete the preliminary application and apply for the waitlist. You must also provide the full names, social security numbers, birth dates, and income information for all household members. 

 

Immediate Housing Needs

Austin, TX

Austin Public Health Homeless Assistance

Ending Community Homelessness Coalition (ECHO) shelter guide.

Austin Resource Center for the Homeless (ARCH)

Travis County Transitional Housing and Shelters

 

San Antonio, TX

The South Alamo Regional Alliance for the Homeless provides a Homeless Resource Guide. 

 

Houston, TX

The Coalition for the Homeless provides a Homeless Resource Guide. Click here to view the shelter help card.

 

Dallas, TX

Austin Street Center

Family Gateway Provides emergency shelter, supportive housing, case management services.

 

National Supports 

 

Financial Assistance Programs

 

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

 

Texas Assistance and Financial Aid Programs

 

Austin, TX

Travis County Family Support Service general information on resources provided can be viewed by clicking here.

 

Austin Utility provides utility bill discounts to eligible customers. Austin Utility also has a Financial Support plus 1 program that provides Emergency Financial Aid to customers in need.

 

Catholic Charities provides financial assistance through their Financial Stability program.

 

Travis County Assistance Programs a list of additional resources can be found here.

 

Dallas, TX

Dallas County Assistance Programs

Evictions

 

A standing order with the Travis County Justices of the Peace says there will be no eviction settings until after April 1.

 

Austin, TX

The city has eviction resources to help those who need legal assistance, emergency grants for rent or utilities, alternate housing, short-term motel vouchers or need to go to a local shelter.  

 

Unemployment Benefits

 

Texas Workforce Commission 

The Texas Unemployment program pays benefits to those individuals who lost their jobs through no fault of their own. TWC determines benefit eligibility based on past wages, why someone lost their job, and ongoing eligibility requirements. People can apply for unemployment benefits through the Texas Workforce Commission, which also has a guide for those undergoing the process for the first time.

 

Information regarding Filing for unemployment benefits

At present, the U.S. government and Texas legislature have not changed any laws or rules concerning unemployment benefits during the pandemic. However, Department of Labor guidance provides that federal law permits significant flexibility for states to provide Unemployment Insurance (UI) services related to COVID-19. Based on this, TWC will be waiving work search requirements for all claimants and the waiting week for those claimants affected by COVID-19. Also, Extended Benefits (EB) and Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) are NOT available at this time.

 

Healthcare Services

Austin, TX

 

Those without insurance who are experiencing coronavirus symptoms can call CommUnityCare at 512-978-9015. It asks people to call first before heading to a clinic to prevent any potential spread of the virus.

 

Vaccine Clinic Finder - https://www.vaccines.gov/getting/where

 

Find a low cost health center - https://bphc.hrsa.gov/about/index.html

 

Health Insurance

 

Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

 

Medicaid

 

Health Insurance Premium Payment (HIPP)

 

Vision

 

InfantSEE This program provides a no-cost first eye assessment for infants within the child’s first year of life, regardless of family income or insurance coverage.

 

Sights for Students Provides free exams and free glasses to low-income, uninsured children.

 

New Eyes for the Needy

 

AOA foundation provides a list of National Vision Resources that can be found here.

 

National Eye Institute

 

Zenni Affordable eyeglasses.

 

GlassesUSA Affordable eyeglasses.

 

If you receive Medicaid or CHIP you may qualify for vision assistance under these programs.

 

 

Discount Internet Service

COVID-19 AT&T

 

COVID-19 Spectrum 

 

COVID-19 Comcast

 

ACCESS from AT&T

 

Spectrum Internet Assist Program

 

Double Click Computer Program Provides refurbished computers to people with disabilities at a low cost.

 

Financial Aid for Children with Disabilities

 

Navigate Life Texas - https://www.navigatelifetexas.org/en/insurance-financial-help/financial-help-for-children-with-disabilities

 

Financial Help for Special Needs - https://www.debt.org/advice/financial-help-special-needs/

 

 

Dental

 

Smiles Change Lives Provides affordable braces.

 

Legal Aid

 

Texas RioGrande Legal Aid

 

Lone Star Legal Aid

 

Referral Directory for Low-Income Texans

 

Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas

 

Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans

 

Texas Law Help

 

Texas Court Help

 

Texas Legal Services Center

 

Volunteer Legal Services Central Texas

 

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Resources

 

Texas Health and Human Services

 

Travis County Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

 

Disability Rights Texas

 

STAP

 

Deaf Action Center

 

Harris Communications  Harrison Communications offers a wide selection of assistive products for Deaf & Hard of Hearing.

 

Video Phone Providers

Sorenson

Purple

Convo

Zvrs

 

Interpreting Services

 

Communication by Hand (CBH) 512-467-1917

 

3 Bridges Sign Language Services 512-401-3957

 

2 Hands 4 U 512-994-8470

 

Communication Axess Ability Group (CAAG) 512-813-6485 ext.1

 

San Marcos Interpreting (512) 754-8047

 

Linguabee

 

Last Resort Communication Services

 

Holiday Assistance

 

Blue Santa

            Travis County

 

            Bexar County

 

Brown Santa

            Travis County

           

            Hays County

 

            Williamson County

 

Social Security Benefits

 

SSI Eligibility Requirements

 

Information on how to Apply for Social Security

 

SSI Online Application If you are not able to apply online you can also schedule an appointment with your local Social Security office to file an application. Call 1-800-772-1213 or your local Social Security office to schedule an appointment.

 

Waiver of Overpayment Recovery click here for the form.

 

Request for Change in Overpayment Recovery Rate

 

Domestic Violence

Hope Alliance

 

Safe Place

 

Victim Services

Guardianship

 

A Texas Guild to Adult Guardianship

 

Texas Health and Human Services-Guardianship

 

Miscellaneous Resources

 

Vaccine Information by County:

Travis           Bastrop        Lee
Williamson    Hays            Caldwell
Burnet          Blanco
 
Austin & Travis County have extended protections against most evictions through April 1.
 
Texas Coronavirus Relief Bill Rental Assistance Program - Emergency funds available to help Texas renters pay rent and utility bills (including past due rent and utilities).The online and phone system opens for applications from landlords and tenants on February 15, 2021 at 8 a.m.
 
Foundation Communities Prosper Centers - If your income is above F.C.'s income eligibility requirements, there are other options. Contact AARP for tax preparation assistance. Prepare your taxes on your own, at myfreetaxes.com.
 
Wilco Forward - provides rent and utility assistance to residents that are in need through partnerships with local non-profits - The Caring Place, The Salvation Army, the Round Rock Serving Center, and Hill Country Community Ministries. 
 
Sewa Austin - Providing gift cards in the amount of $100 for eligible individuals impacted by COVID-19 to purchase groceries. Email to request a gift card. Provide name, phone number, address, and reason for request.

 

Austin Diaper Bank

 

Any Baby Can

 

Recovery

Hill Country Intergroup Association – Deaf Access Committee helps make AA in the Austin Metro Area accessible to Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing alcoholics.

 

Sexting Prevention

 

Metro  K-12 Students ride free with valid ID. Reduced Fare Cards are available for riders with Disabilities.

 

Pet Food Bank of Austin and Travis County  Food and supplies for Pets in need.

 

Spay Austin Coalition Provides discounted spay/neuter services for pets.

 

GoodRx

 

National Parent Helpline

 

Advocacy Outreach A resource list for Bastrop County

 

OutYouth Provides programs and services that promote the educational, mental, emotional, physical and social development of LGBTQ+ (lesbian/gay/bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning) youth and their allies.

  

PAHrtners  Residential Treatment Facility for adolescents who are Deaf and Hard of hearing. Located in Philadelphia but provide services to individuals across the country.

 

Additional Resources: 

Safety Information and Resources