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Community Resources
Division Overview
The Community Resources Division of the Economic and Community Development department provides financial assistance for utility payments and administers the Pauper Burial program.
The Community Resources Division receives funding from the State to offer financial assistance to eligible County residents for electric and natural gas bills. This assistance is designed to prevent utility disconnection and to assist households in becoming self-sufficient.
Documents:
- Application Process: What You Need to Know (PDF)
- Bexar County Energy Assistance Programs (PDF)
- Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs
- SSA Online Account Process (PDF)
- Employment Verificiation (PDF)
- Declaration of Income Statement (PDF)
- Acceptable Forms of U.S Citizenship (PDF)
- DCSSA: Healthcare.gov Flyer (PDF)
Announcements
Bexar County Economic & Community Development is currently accepting applications for FY/2019 utility assistance. Please note that daily application requests are limited. To get information on how to request an application, go to Application Process: What you need to know (PDF).
Please note that TDHCA has adopted new rules and regulations for FY 2019 that includes verifying citizenship and identity for all household members, serving vulnerable populations and families with Veteran status. For additional information, please visit the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.
If you are in danger of disconnection, we recommend you call CPS Energy at 210-353-2222 for an extension.
Please call United Way at 2-1-1 for a listing of additional resources that may have funding for utility assistance.
View Our Assistance Programs:
REAP - Resident Energy Assistance Program
This program provides utility assistance to CPS Energy ratepayers to support the health of families and individuals experiencing a financial hardship. Priority is given to individuals who are elderly, disabled, or a household with children 16 years of age and younger or a ratepayer enrolled in CPS Energy’s Critical Care Program.
In order to receive assistance the applicant must:
- Be a CPS Energy customer
- Reside in Bexar County outside the of San Antonio city limits
- Have income that does not exceed 125% of the Poverty Income Guideline (PDF)
For additional assistance, please contact us at 210-335-3666 or email us
Mailing Address:
Bexar County Economic & Community Development Attn: Utility Assistance
233 N. Pecos, Suite 590
San Antonio, Texas 78207
CEAP - Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program
The Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) is a utility assistance program. CEAP is designed to assist low income households in meeting their immediate energy needs and to encourage consumers to control energy costs for years to come through energy education.
Requirements:
In order to receive assistance through Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) the applicant must:
- Reside in Bexar County
- Have income that does not exceed 150% of the Poverty Income Guideline (PDF) set by the Federal Government
- Be a U.S citizen, qualified alien or of verified legal immigration status
Proof of Eligibility:
The following documents must be provided to determine eligibility:
- U.S Passport or Certificate of U.S Citizenship or Certificate of Naturalization
If you can not provide those documents then you would need the following:
- Valid state issued Driver License or state issued Identification Card and
- Birth Certificate or
- Valid Voter Registration ID Card
For a listing of acceptable documents, please view the Application Process Document (PDF).
Priority Assistance:
Priority for utility assistance is given to low-income households:
- Elderly (60 years or older)
- Disabled
- Families with children 5 years of age or younger
For additional assistance, please contact us at 210-335-3666 or email us.
Mailing Address:
Bexar County Utility Assistance
233 N. Pecos, Suite 590
San Antonio, Texas 78207
Pauper Burial Assistance
Bexar County provides a simple, respectful, and dignified service for families with no funding for a funeral/burial service. Families with a life insurance policy, pre-need agreement with a funeral home or have purchased a cemetery plot are not eligible for assistance. This program does not give financial support to help with funeral/burial agreements already made. All honorably discharged veterans or eligible spouses can be buried at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery if eligible. The next of kin will be charged a $28.00 fee payable to the contracted funeral home.
Individuals that may qualify for assistance are:
- Deceased individual living in Bexar County 30 days prior to death.
- Having died of natural causes
- With no life insurance
- Without a pre-need with a funeral home
- Without having purchased a cemetery plot
If you need additional information regarding Pauper Burial Assistance please call 210-335-0757.
Other Energy Resources:
- Disconnection Notice: If you have received a red disconnection notice please call 210-335-3666 Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Please note, only a limited amount of appointments are given daily.
- Payment Arrangements: If you are in danger of being disconnected, please contact CPS Energy at 210-353-2222. You may be eligible for an extension and/or installment plan to avoid disconnection of services.
- Other Resources: United Way offers services free and confidential information for a variety of services, call 2-1-1 or 227-HELP
- How do I apply for Utility Assistance?
- I was certified for Utility Assistance, when should I expect my payment to be made?
- I qualified for help last year, why do I always have to re-apply each year?
- My neighbor turned in her application after me, but she was helped first. Why is that?
- My spouse/room mate moved out last week, do I have to include them in my application?
- My utility bill is under someone else’s name. Can I still apply?
- I cannot provide proof of my U.S. Citizenship, can I still apply?
- Do I have to submit all new paperwork even though I was in the system last year?
- How will I know I received help?
- Is Bexar County going to pay my full bill?
- How do I proceed once my application is turned in?
- What if my services are scheduled for disconnection?
- How long will it take for you to work on my application?
- Why was my application Denied?
- I was denied, but I still need help, can I reapply?
- If Bexar County cannot help me, what are my options for getting my bill paid?