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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 of Texas to offer financial assistance to eligible Bexar County residents for electric and natural gas utility bills. This assistance is designed to prevent utility disconnection and to assist households in becoming self-sufficient.
Job Openings:
We are currently accepting applications for a Temporary Intake Worker and Temporary Outreach Clerk. Please send completed applications and resumes to the hiring supervisor listed in each job description.
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 at clientservices@bexar.org
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 for at least one person in the household.
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 at clientservices@bexar.org.
Mailing Address:
Bexar County Economic & Community Development
ATTN: Community Resources
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.
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)
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
Important Notices:
- Effective February 3, 2020 the utility assistance funded by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs CEAP, has changed the income guidelines for 2020. The income eligibility is based on 150% of the listed Federal Poverty Guidelines per persons in Family or Household.Persons in Household150% of Federal Poverty Guidelines
1 $19,1402 $25,8603 $32,5804 $39,3005 $46,0206 $52,7407 $59,4608 $66,180Families with more than 8 persons add $6,720 for each additional person.
Effective January 2020, we have closed out the 2019 year, and the 2019 applications are no longer valid or will be accepted. 2020 applications are available here.
Phone lines are open on Monday from 10:30 am to 11:30 am and Tuesday’s through Friday from 8:00 am to 11:30 am. Phone lines re-open Monday through Friday from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm for all Utility Assistance inquiries. For Pauper Burial information please contact the Pauper Burial Office at (210) 335-0757.
Notice of Changes-Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs (TDHCA) Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) funded Utility Assistance: All 2020 rule changes are according to the TDHCA item 10 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 6.310 rule and becomes effective January 1, 2020. The "Household Crisis" program was renamed to "Crisis Assistance" program (CAP). To qualify and receive benefits under the CAP the following criteria are required: (1) Households must have lost service (disconnected) or be at risk of disconnection; and (2) Must meet one of three conditions: Extreme Weather Conditions; Disaster; or Life-threatening Crisis.
Note, under the TDHCA - CEAP funding source, both programs: (1) Utility Assistance Program (UAP) and (2) Crisis Assistance Program (CAP) require with a completed and signed application proof of (a) U.S. Citizenship, (b) government identity and (c) income for all household members. Be aware, additional questions will be asked on new 2020 applications. If you would like more information regarding these program rule changes please visit the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program website at: www.tdhca.state.tx.us/community-affairs/ceap/index.htm
If you are in danger of disconnection, we recommend you contact CPS Energy at (210) 353-2222 to request an extension on your account or to make payment arrangements to avoid disconnection. For a listing of additional resources, please contact United Way by dialing 211.
- 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/roommate 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 do I know if I qualified?
- 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?
Contact Us:
Community Resources
Physical Address:
233 N. Pecos, Suite 590
San Antonio, Texas 78207
Phone: 210-335-3666
Email: clientservices@bexar.org