Community Assistance
Program

Community Assistance
Program

Government programs are available to help support families during times of food insecurity. If you’re facing financial challenges, other areas can also affect your life. Our Navigators are trained and will treat you with dignity and confidentiality.

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We offer multilingual support in English and Spanish, with interpreter services available for other languages.

Schedule your SNAP Application Assistance Appointments

For all over programs, find the nearest location. Walk-ins welcome!

Application Assistance for Government Programs:

  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
  • SNAP Benefits
  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash benefits
  • Children’s Medicaid
  • Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
  • Women’s Health Program (Family Planning and health screenings through Medicaid)
  • CHIP Perinatal Program
  • Texas Simplified Application Project (TSAP)
  • Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) / Medicare Savings Program (MSP)

*Application and technical assistance are available at Houston Food Bank

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Office Hours

Phone Number: 832-369-9390

Address: Houston Food Bank (2nd floor)
535 Portwall Street
Houston, TX 77029

Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

2nd & 4th Friday of each month 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Walk-ins welcome!

Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)

When you get called for an interview you may receive a call from this area code (737) 867-7700.

Fax number:

Submit documents: 1-877-447-2839 (toll-free). Write your Social Security number on each item so that HHSC can match this document with your case.

Mail: New Applications

Texas Health and Human Services Commission
P.O. BOX 149024
Austin, TX 78714-0927

HHSC MAILING ADDRESSES

Mail: Supportive Documents

Texas Health and Human Services Commission
P.O. BOX 149027
Austin, TX 78714-0927

Tip: Write your case number or social Security number on each item so that HHSC can match this document with your case.

Mail: Renewals

Texas Health and Human Services Commission
P.O. BOX 149025
Austin, TX 78714-0927

Lonestar Card

  • Lone Star Card: If your card is lost or stolen, or if you forgot your PIN, please call 800-777-7328.
  • Form 1185: Information about activation, checking the balance, etc.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

findhelp.org: Find food, health, housing, and employment programs in seconds.

211texas.org: Find help for food, health, housing, and more.

AccessHOU: A directory of ongoing social services information. For real-time emergency information and resources, use the Immigrant Disaster Resource Guide.

Houston Area Ryan White Planning Council – Blue Book: A Houston-area HIV resource guide providing information about services in the Greater Houston Area for persons living with HIV.

Harris County Community Services Department: Emergency assistance list. It is recommended to call each agency to verify availability of funds and eligibility requirements.

Harris County Community Support Resources: The COVID-19 pandemic impacted communities, resulting in financial hardships, food insecurity, isolation, and more. This resource provides helpful assistance materials for those seeking support.

St. Vincent de Paul Legal Aid Resources: A resource for neighbors or friends in temporary need due to job loss, illness, or emergency situations.

Coalition for the Homeless – Help Card: A directory of services supporting homeless or newly housed individuals. This directory is available online only.

The Way Home Coordinated Access: A centralized system that coordinates intake, assessment, and referrals to housing and income support programs.

In accordance with federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the state or local agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

Mail: USDA Food and Nutrition Service, 1320 Braddock Place, Room 334 Alexandria, VA 22314; or
Email: FNSCIVILRIGHTSCOMPLAINTS@usda.gov.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

For questions regarding our Community Assistance Program, please contact our helpline:

832-369-9390