Whether you need Medicaid or CHIP for your kids, SNAP benefits on a Lone Star Card, or help with an energy bill, Texas has benefits programs that can help. Many start at Your Texas Benefits, the state's online portal. For SSDI, SSI, or VA disability benefits, start with Social Security or the VA.
Texas benefits programs at a glance
Program | What it helps with | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|
SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) | Monthly income when a health condition stops you from working | Social Security Administration (SSA), or with Turnout |
SSI (Supplemental Security Income) | Monthly income for people with disabilities or older adults with very limited income | SSA, or with Turnout |
VA Disability | Tax-free monthly payments for conditions connected to military service | U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) |
Medicaid | Free or low-cost health coverage | Your Texas Benefits |
ACA Subsidies (Affordable Care Act) | Lower monthly costs for marketplace health plans | HealthCare.gov |
Medicare / Healthcare Advocacy | Health insurance for older adults and some people with disabilities, plus help using it | SSA to enroll, Turnout for advocacy |
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) | Money for groceries | Your Texas Benefits |
WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) | Healthy food and nutrition support for families with young children | Texas WIC |
LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) | Help paying energy bills | A local CEAP provider |
TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) | Cash help for families with children | Your Texas Benefits |
EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit) | A bigger tax refund for working people | Your federal tax return |
Child Tax Credit | Lower taxes for families with children | Your federal tax return |
Child Care Assistance (CCAP, Child Care Assistance Program) | Help paying for child care | Your local Workforce Solutions office |
IEP (Individualized Education Program) / Education Advocacy | Special education support at school | Your child's school, or with Turnout |
Disability and income
SSDI
SSDI pays monthly benefits to people who worked and paid Social Security taxes but can't work now because of a serious medical condition. In Texas, Health and Human Services handles the disability determination step for SSA, which reviews your medical evidence, while SSA makes the final decision. If you've already applied, you can call 1-800-252-7009 with questions about your claim. You apply through SSA online, by phone, or at a Social Security office. If you'd like one-on-one help, you can apply for SSDI with Turnout.
Official resources: SSA's disability benefits page and the Blue Book listing of qualifying conditions.
SSI
SSI is a monthly payment for people with very limited income and savings who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled. In Texas, Health and Human Services also handles the disability determination step for SSI claims. Health and Human Services also runs Medicaid, so ask about it when you apply for SSI. You apply for SSI through SSA online, by phone, or at a local office. For one-on-one help, you can apply for SSI with Turnout.
Official resources: SSA's Understanding SSI guide and what counts toward SSI limits.
VA Disability
VA disability compensation is a tax-free monthly payment for veterans with illnesses or injuries connected to their military service. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) decides claims and assigns a disability rating. In Texas, the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) is the state agency that serves veterans and can connect you with state benefits and claims help. You can also work with a VA-accredited representative when you file. Turnout doesn't represent veterans in VA claims, but you can learn more on Turnout's veterans benefits page.
Official resources: VA's disability compensation page, how VA disability ratings work, and the Texas Veterans Commission.
Health coverage
Medicaid
Medicaid is free or low-cost health coverage for people with limited income. In Texas, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) runs Medicaid and CHIP, the Children's Health Insurance Program, which covers children in families who earn too much for Medicaid but can't afford private insurance. You can apply at Your Texas Benefits, HHSC's online portal. You can also get help by phone or at a local HHS benefits office.
Official resources: the federal Medicaid program at Medicaid.gov and Texas HHSC Medicaid and CHIP.
ACA Subsidies
ACA subsidies are tax credits that lower what you pay each month for a health plan you buy on the marketplace. Texas uses the federal marketplace, so residents shop and enroll at HealthCare.gov. You can apply for coverage at HealthCare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596. Free local enrollment helpers can walk you through your options. Most people enroll during the yearly open enrollment period, but life changes like losing coverage can let you enroll at other times. If you might qualify for Medicaid or CHIP, apply through Your Texas Benefits too.
Official resources: HealthCare.gov's guide to lowering costs and free local enrollment help.
Medicare / Healthcare Advocacy
Medicare is federal health insurance for people 65 and older and some younger people with disabilities, and you enroll through SSA. In Texas, HICAP, the state's Health Insurance Assistance Program, offers free Medicare counseling through Health and Human Services. You can call HICAP at 1-800-252-9240. Counselors can also tell you about Medicare Savings Programs, which help people with limited income pay Medicare costs. When coverage isn't working, like a denial or a confusing bill, you can get one-on-one help from Turnout's healthcare advocacy team.
Official resources: Medicare.gov, Medicare Savings Programs, and Texas HHSC's Medicare page.
Food and nutrition
SNAP
SNAP gives households money each month to buy groceries. In Texas, HHSC runs SNAP, and benefits come on a Lone Star Card, which works like a debit card at grocery stores. If you lose your card, you can call 1-800-777-7328 to get a new one mailed to you. You can apply at Your Texas Benefits, the same portal used for Medicaid and TANF. You may need to complete an interview before you're approved.
Official resources: the federal SNAP program and Texas HHSC food benefits.
WIC
WIC provides healthy foods, nutrition education, and breastfeeding support for pregnant women, new moms, infants, and children under five. In Texas, Health and Human Services runs WIC, which offers foods like fruit, vegetables, cereal, bread, and milk, plus infant formula and help from nutritionists. You can call Texas WIC at 800-942-3678 with questions. To start, apply at Texas WIC online. You'll then meet with a local clinic to confirm you qualify.
Official resources: the federal WIC program from USDA and the Texas WIC office finder.
Home and cash help
LIHEAP
LIHEAP helps households with limited income pay home energy bills. In Texas, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) runs this help through the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP), which local providers deliver across the state. Help depends on your household's income and available funding. To start, find a CEAP provider near you through TDHCA's Help for Texans page. You can also dial 2-1-1 to get connected with local help. Ask your provider what to bring, like proof of income and a recent energy bill.
Official resources: the federal LIHEAP program and 211 Texas, which connects you with local help.
TANF
TANF gives temporary cash help to families with children who have little or no income. In Texas, HHSC runs TANF, which helps pay for basic needs like food, clothing, and housing. You can apply at Your Texas Benefits, the same portal used for SNAP and Medicaid. HHSC may ask you to complete an interview and share proof of income and household members. Check the HHSC TANF page for current rules.
Official resources: the federal TANF program and Texas HHSC TANF cash help.
Tax credits
EITC
The EITC is a federal tax credit for people who work and earn low to moderate income. It can lower what you owe or increase your refund. The IRS runs it the same way in Texas as in every other state, and you claim it on your federal tax return. You need to file a return to get it, even if you don't usually have to file. Learn how to claim the EITC from the IRS.
Official resources: the IRS EITC page and the IRS guide to avoiding common EITC mistakes.
Child Tax Credit
The Child Tax Credit lowers federal taxes for families raising qualifying children, and part of it can come back as a refund. The IRS runs it the same way in Texas as in every other state. You claim it on your federal tax return using Schedule 8812, the IRS form for the Child Tax Credit. Keep your children's Social Security numbers handy when you file. If you'd like free help, VITA volunteers prepare returns for people who qualify.
Official resources: the IRS Child Tax Credit page and free in-person tax prep through VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance).
Children and education
Child Care Assistance (CCAP)
Child Care Assistance helps families with limited income pay for child care. In Texas, the Texas Workforce Commission runs Child Care Services (CCS), and local Workforce Solutions offices handle applications in each area. Help is for eligible parents who are working, going to school, or in job training. To start, apply through Texas child care services, where you can also find your local Workforce Solutions board. Your local office can explain what documents you'll need.
Official resources: the federal Office of Child Care, Texas Workforce Commission Child Care Services, and the Workforce Solutions office locator.
IEP / Education Advocacy
An IEP is a written plan for a child with a disability that spells out the special education services the school will provide. The federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) gives your child this right. In Texas, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) oversees special education, and its Texas SPED Support site has plain-language resources for families. Ask your child's school for an evaluation in writing. If you'd like someone in the meeting with you, Turnout's education advocacy team starts with a free case review.
Official resources: the federal IDEA website, TEA special education, and Texas SPED Support.
What this means for you
- Start with Your Texas Benefits for Medicaid, CHIP, SNAP, or TANF. One application can cover more than one program.
- Gather your papers before you apply: ID, proof of address, recent pay stubs, and any medical or school records.
- Contact local offices for energy and child care help. CEAP providers handle energy help, and Workforce Solutions offices handle child care.
- Apply for federal programs on their own. SSDI, SSI, VA disability, marketplace plans, and tax credits have their own applications.
FAQ
Where do I apply for most Texas programs?
Medicaid, CHIP, SNAP, and TANF all go through Your Texas Benefits, run by HHSC. You can apply online and choose more than one program there.
Who can help with Medicare questions in Texas?
HICAP offers free Medicare counseling through Texas Health and Human Services. You can call 1-800-252-9240.
What is the Lone Star Card?
The Lone Star Card is how Texas delivers SNAP food benefits, and it works like a debit card at grocery stores. If you lose your card, call 1-800-777-7328 to have a new one mailed to you.
Turnout is not a law firm and does not provide legal or tax advice
It's your turn
You don't have to sort through all 14 programs on your own. Turnout's free Texas benefits scan asks a few plain-language questions about your household and income, then shows which programs you may qualify for. It takes about three minutes and gives you a clear place to start today.