Benefits · Emergency Aid
How to apply for Bexar County Economic & Community Development — CEAP (Texas LIHEAP)
Bexar County Economic & Community Development (BCECD) — a department of the Bexar County Commissioners Court at 233 N. Pecos, Suite 590, San Antonio TX 78207; the direct TDHCA Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) subrecipient for Bexar County; supplements the broader TDHCA CEAP statewide framework (see tx.ceap)
Who it's for
Bexar County Economic & Community Development (BCECD) is the direct TDHCA-contracted Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) subrecipient for Bexar County — a BoCC department delivery model parallel to Dallas's DCHHS (and Harris's nonprofit BakerRipley model is the regional exception). BCECD's CEAP delivers utility bill assistance, deposit assistance, and energy crisis assistance to low-income Bexar County households. Bexar County is typically awarded $6-7 million annually in LIHEAP funding. Eligibility is set at 150% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines ($23,475/year single 2026). Senior-headed households receive application priority. San Antonio's hot summer climate makes COOLING-CRISIS assistance critical for Bexar County seniors — heat-related illness is a documented mortality risk. BCECD also coordinates with the Residential Energy Assistance Partnership (REAP), an additional San Antonio energy assistance program, and with the City of San Antonio Senior Services for senior-pathway intake. Apply by calling BCECD at 210-335-3666 (Mondays for appointment scheduling) or visiting BCECD at 233 N. Pecos Suite 590, San Antonio TX 78207. The BCECD office is the single intake point for both CEAP and Utility Assistance.
BCECD's CEAP+Utility Assistance is the largest BoCC-department LIHEAP delivery modeled in the catalog — $6-7M annual TDHCA award places Bexar County among the most-funded TX CEAP subrecipients. Funds typically exhaust mid-fiscal-year and the program's waitlist has historically been paused during high-demand periods (notably during pandemic-era and post-disaster utility crisis windows). Apply EARLY in each cooling season (March-April) and heating season (October-November). The 150% FPL income gate is the TDHCA-statewide standard. CPS Energy is the primary San Antonio utility provider — most CEAP applicants will have CPS Energy bills. Mondays are the BCECD appointment-scheduling day; the program's by-appointment intake limits casual walk-in applicants. For BexarCounty residents who don't qualify for CEAP, the BCECD Utility Assistance Program (same office, same phone) is a SEPARATE local emergency-utility safety net.
What you'll need
- Proof of all household income for the prior 30-90 days (Social Security award letter, pension statement, pay stubs, SSI award letter)
- Current energy bill (CPS Energy is the main San Antonio utility) and any past-due notices
- Photo identification for the head of household
- Proof of Bexar County residency (utility bill, lease, or government correspondence)
- Documentation of household members and ages (especially seniors, disabled, children under 6 for priority)
- U.S. citizenship or eligible non-citizen documentation
- Social Security numbers for all household members
- For crisis assistance: shutoff notice OR documentation of energy crisis
Where to apply
Apply online: official application
By phone: 210-335-3666
Renewals
up to multiple benefits per program year (regular + summer crisis + winter crisis)
Not sure if you qualify? Run a free check first.
Find my benefitsNot legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.