Core Relief Texas (2024)

FAQs

Who is eligible for utility core relief in Texas? ›

Who is eligible for this program? To be eligible for this benefit program, you must be a resident of Texas and must be at or below 150% of Federal Poverty Guidelines.

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.

About the Texas Utility Help Program

The program provides eligible households with financial payments made directly to the utility company on the household's behalf.

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.

You can dial (877) 399-8939 or 211 or visit 211Texas to reach a community agency in your area. To apply, please locate your service area and reach out to the local agency.

The System Benefit Fund (SBF) was established to provide funding for the Public Utility Commission's (PUC) Low-Income Discount Program, customer education, weatherization and energy efficiency programs, and costs incurred by the PUC in the course of restructuring the electricity utility industry.

Contact one of the community agencies that help administer the program for application information. More details are available by visiting the Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs website or contact info@tdhca.state.tx.us. You may also call 2-1-1 for assistance.

Does Texas rent relief pay utility bills? ›

The Texas Rent Relif Program has emergency funds available to help Texas renters pay current and past due rent and utility bills. Both landlords and tenants can apply – even if the landlord has already sued for eviction in their local court.

LITE-UP Texas provides electric bill discounts in the hottest months of the year: May-September. The household must be below 125% FPL to qualify.

According to Texas law, rent on the rental unit becomes late if it isn't paid within 2 full days once it's due. When rent is late, you must give the tenant the 3-Day Notice to Quit to kick start the eviction process.

Most rent assistance programs do not allow the landlord to evict you while you are receiving help. If your landlord tries to evict you while you are getting assistance, let the court know in your Answer as well as at your hearing.

While the eviction moratorium in the CARES Act has expired, it's possible that the requirement for the extra 30-day notice to vacate in addition to the notice required by Texas law is still in effect.

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.

Contact one of the community agencies that help administer the program for application information. More details are available by visiting the Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs website or contact info@tdhca.state.tx.us. You may also call 2-1-1 for assistance.