Assistance programs in Bell County Texas.
Find financial assistance in Killeen as well as the Bell County region. Families, whether low income or that are in a crisis, can find help for paying their bills, including rent, groceries, medical, and utility costs. There are churches, government programs, as well as charities that give financial aid in Bell County to address the residents needs. The agencies also offer job placement, credit counseling, free stuff including back to school supplies or Meals on Wheels and other support
The uninsured and low income can also find free government funded health insurance or medications. Bell County families can also get Christmas toys during the winter or information on low income, section 8 housing. Or find help with debt, immigration services, and other support below.
Resources and organizations that provide grants and financial help with bills in Bell County
One local organization, the Hill Country Community Action, is a place that low to moderate income families can turn to in order to get help with bills, apply for grants, mortgage counseling, rent and housing assistance, and more. Another agency to contact is the Bell County Human Services H.E.L.P. Center, which provides grants for paying utility bills. Read more about both organizations below.
Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) - This was designed to assist income eligible households who may be in danger of having their utility service turned off or if they are experiencing other energy-related crises or emergencies. The CEAP program consists of four main components:
- Co-pay: This component provides counseling and assistance to low and middle income households through counseling, case management, referrals and other assistance with utility bills. Clients to this program are assisted over a period of nine months. There are some conditions in order to remain part of the program, including the clients need to actively participate by setting goals in the program, they need to attend sessions on budget counseling and energy conservation, and they also need to continue to pay a portion of their utility bill each and every month.
- Emergency/Energy Crisis: This component provides assistance and cash grants that are used for paying utility bills during weather-related and supply shortage emergencies and if someone runs out of fuel.
- Repair/Replacement/Retrofit: This part of the program will assist clients in lowering their expenses by reducing their energy burden and usage, and it will help them achieve energy self-sufficiency by addressing inefficient cooling and heating appliances, refrigerators, and water heaters.
- Aid for Elderly/Disabled: This will provide utility bill assistance to those households who are most vulnerable to increases and other fluctuations in energy costs and expenses. The CEAP will pay up to four utility payments each year on behalf of the elderly/disabled for the highest consumption months as determined by their 12 month billing history and priority rating score and based upon how much other aid they need.
ATMOS Share The Warmth - This will assist clients with paying their ATMOS gas and heating bills during the cold Texas months. the Hill Country Community Action can also help people apply for TXU-Energy Aid - Helps clients in Copperas Cove and Cameron with paying their TXU electric bills.
Texas Weatherization Program - Hill Country Community Action provides energy conservation tips, improvements, and measures that will help eligible families reduce fuel consumption and their energy bills for heating and cooling costs. Weatherization uses the EASY Audit to determine what measures need to be done to the home to help them reduce consumption, including extra insulation, weather stripping, new windows and doors, replacing inefficient cooling and heating appliances.
Child Care Assistance - Another resources offered by Hill Country Community Action is child care. Single moms or job seekers may also get free daycare from the federal or state government. The community action agency has a contract with the Central Texas Workforce Board to reimburse Child Care Providers for child care given to children enrolled in the Child Care Services program.
Community Outreach and Assistance Program - This program offers several options and services to clients. They can receive assistance in applying for:
- Mortgage counseling
- Children’s health care insurance (CHIP & Children’s Medicaid)
- Food Stamps
- Medicaid (Including the Women’s Health Program)
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Help with credit card debt
- Long-term care (financial assistance and other grants)
The Community Action Agency also works to help low income families, and the uninsured in Bell County, can medical care as well as insurance. There are government resources, such as Medicaid or Medicare insurance and state programs. Read more on free government health insurance.
The Hill Country Community Action main office is located at 2905 W. Wallace St, PO Box 846, San Saba, TX, 76877. Or call them at 325-372-5167 ext 235. Click more details on assistance from Hill Country Community Action.
Utility Bill Help from Bell County / Killeen H.E.L.P. Center - This is a department of Bell County Texas that offers help and cash grants that can be used for emergency assistance. They can also act as a facilitator between utility companies and families who need help, they can teach energy-saving classes, and they can provide grants that will help families with paying their energy and cooling bills one time or for up to three months.
The H.E.L.P. center generally assists thousands of households in Bell County with emergency financial aid and cash grants. Of those who received aid, a large number live in Killeen. Besides the H.E.L.P. Center, there are other places to turn to for help. Some churches, non-profits, and other charitable organizations in Bell County such as the Salvation Army also help people who can't afford their utilities, and these organization can often provide other assistance as well, such as medical bill assistance.
In addition, the H.E.L.P. Center partners with other local organizations and they provide other resources and additional aid such as job search or job training assistance. There are also career fairs, free work items passed out as well as skills training.
Stop by the Killeen H.E.L.P. Center is at 201 E. Avenue D or call them at 254.519.3360 to learn more or apply for assistance.
Agencies that provide financial assistance, information, or other aid
Some of the local non-profit organizations, charities, and other agencies that provide free food, clothing, house hold items and financial assistance for bills to people in Belton and Bell County. Some of the organizations include Helping Hands Ministry (254-939-7355), and Temple HELP Center (phone 254-770-6842)
The St. Vincent De Paul (phone number 254-773-7591) may offer some limited financial help. There is also a free food pantry, low cost thrift store, furniture, and other items for sale. The faith based charity/church works to help the low income, poor, and less fortunate with a wide array of services. More on Bell County SVDP assistance programs.
Christian Assistance Network - This non-profit charity organization provides limited financial assistance with paying utilities and also offers referral services to those in need of help. They tend to focus on food, rent, and basic needs. Other resources include money raised from the community for school supplies or Christmas assistance. Killeen Texas. Call (254)634-0178, or click here for Christian Assistance Network.
Bell County Human Services – A couple locations operate in the county. The center runs an Outreach program of the Bell County Human Services Department. The H.E.L.P. Center provides a variety of assistance programs and support services. They include educational programs that are directed at helping heads of households to become self-sufficient.
Referrals to local charities and government programs such as food stamps are provided. Provides public access to computers, printers and information sites. As funds are available can provide short term crisis specific financial assistance. Examples of this may be a government grant for paying rent or energy bills. In some cases, loans are available for expenses such as short term bills or security deposits. Administration of the County Indigent Health Care Program (CIHCP) for the Counties of Bell, and more. They also process applications for programs such as disability assistance in Texas.
Belton Multi Service Center – Runs the Texas Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) for local residents. The energy program was designed to assist income people who are in danger of having their utilities disconnected or those faced with an emergency. Receive help with electric and utility bills. Locations are.
- Belton, Texas 76513, call (254)939-1170
- Killeen H.E.L.P. Center, Killeen, TX 76541, (254)519-3360
- Temple, Texas 76501, (254)770-6842
Temple HELP Center – The non-profit provides emergency crisis financial assistance for bills and basic needs including electric bills, rent, prescription medication, food, transportation, child care, and work and school, related items ( i.e.: work boots, uniforms, etc). 102 E Central, Temple, Texas 76501, call (254)770-6842
Bell County banks and credit unions offer short term loans. While not ideal for paying bills, it is an option. Funds can pay for transportation, medical costs, housing, car repairs as well as other costs. Even find a list of organizations for payday loans.
Free food and meal programs - Dozens of pantries operate across Bell County. They can be located at churches or local non-profits. Each center will operate limited hours and provide residents with support in an emergency. There is also baby formula, clothing, and Christmas meals or gifts generally available. Examples of the locations include ACS Fort Hood Food Pantry as well as Caritas of Mexia or Fishes and Loaves. There are also many other options, and locate Bell County food pantries.
Salvation Army of Belton and Bell County offers several emergency assistance programs as well as social services. Low income, unemployed, senior citizens and working poor residents are the focus. The agency will provide funds for basic needs such as food, clothing, and energy bills. Other programs in Bell County Texas include shelter, Christmas assistance including free toys, back to school supplies, and maybe even transportation to a job interview. Learn more on Salvation Army assistance programs Bell County.
If you need help with paying your rent, access to low income housing, or information on government programs such as section 8 housing vouchers, then individuals have a number of options available to them. Non-profit agencies provide rental assistance. Read moreBell County Texas rent assistance programs.
In addition to the resources below (general Christmas support) there are other more local Bell County free Christmas and Thanksgiving assistance programs. These are just for residents of the county, including the city of Killeen. Everything from toys to meals to gifts and Thanksgiving turkeys may be passed out! Clients range from single moms or dads to immigrants, seniors, and the working poor.
During the holidays, charities provide assistance to the working poor. There may be Christmas toys, meals, and presents for children in Bell County. Other programs assist senior citizens as well as single mothers to ensure that they (or their kids) can enjoy the holidays. Find how to get Christmas help.
Get access to free medical care
Several clinics are listed below. They can often give free or low cost medical or dental care to residents who qualify. It may be the uninsured, adults, children, or even immigrants that lack access. But there is also other medical care, including bill assistance as well as professional negotiator services. It can help pay debts or older bills. More on medical bill negotiator services.
Stop by or contact Temple Community Free Clinic. The facility helps the low income, working poor and those patients with overwhelming bills and debts. Those who qualify for aid can receive free health or medical care. The health care clinic not only offers free medical care to qualified patients but also provides health education and research to those in need. Dial (254) 771-3374.
Bell County Indigent Health Services - This community clinic may be able to offer provides medically necessary heath and medical care, government benefits, counseling and more to individuals and families. Applicants need to meet the income, resource, residency, and household criteria. Call (254)618-4165
Greater Killeen Free Clinic may be able to help the low income and uninsured. Among other programs the clinic may be able to provides services that include include diagnostic testing and medications, exams, mammogram screening, social services assessment, and assistance in obtaining prescription and medications for chronic illness through a pharmaceutical assistance program. More on patient drug assistance programs. Call (254)519-3898.
Other community clinics in Bell County Texas that may offer free or low cost medical care include King's Daughters Clinics - Main Clinic (phone (254)298-2400), Sparta Road Pediatric Clinic (phone (877)800-5722, and note this clinic focuses its care of children), and also Scott and White community clinic ((254)628-2789).
Find more free health and dental centers, as well as community clinics in Bell County. A number of facilities help the low income, poor, and patients with no insurance. Find more free community clinics in Bell County Texas.
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