Cameron County assistance programs

Free Health Care and Prescription Drugs

Offered by the Proyecto Juan Diego. They can be reached at (956) 542-2488. Families that live in Cameron Park can receive access to numerous resources and health care programs to improve the quality of their lives and help them get around having to pay expensive medical and hospital bills. This is accomplished through community education, health clinics, advocacy, and referrals.

In addition, receive a discount on your prescription medications from the FamilyWize prescription drug discount card. This card is being distributed to local families free-of-charge by United Way of Southern Cameron County. The prescription card, which could lower the cost of medication and other prescription drugs by an average 35 percent, is available to all local individuals. The card is free. Also there are no age or household income restrictions and the can be used as often as needed to get a discount

You can print your card today by going to www.FamilyWize.org. You just then to simply present the discount card and your prescription to a participating pharmacy (hundreds participate) and then you will need to pay either the discounted price or the pharmacy's retail price — whichever is lower. So you save either way substantially on any medications that you may need.

Emergency and Crisis Assistance

Programs are offered by the Ozanam Center. Phone number is (956)831-6331 or 831-4791. Individuals or families facing a crisis situation are provided access to federal government as well as state of Texas programs, food, shelter, rent assistance and access to other community resources to improve self-sufficiency during their time of crises. The goal is to provide short term help to pay bills, and at the same time help people become self-sufficient for long term success.

One of the most critical needs these days is for rent help. Click here to find options for people who are struggling with their rent.

Weatherization and Utility Bill Assistance Programs

The Cameron-Willacy Counties Community Projects, Inc., which is located in Brownsville and can be reached at (956) 544-6411 will refer people to these or other programs which can help people either save money and reduce their energy bills, or it can provide them with cash grants to pay utility bills and prevent their service from being disconnected.

The Texas Department’s Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP), is an utility bill co-payment assistance program that provides direct cash grants to pay bills. It also also helps qualified households better manage their energy consumption, and save on their bills, for a safe, affordable environment.

Another option is Weatherization, which is a federal government funded program that provides Cameron county people with free energy saving upgrades to their homes. The upgrades help them save and reduce their electric bills. People can save hundreds of dollars by such improvements as insulation, caulking, and more.