Benefits · Emergency Aid
How to apply for Hidalgo County Community Services Agency (HCCSA) — CEAP + Utility Assistance
Hidalgo County Community Services Agency (HCCSA) — a Hidalgo County BoCC department at 2524 N. Closner, Edinburg TX 78541; the direct TDHCA Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) subrecipient for Hidalgo County; supplemented by the Community Action Corporation of South Texas (CACOST) which also serves Hidalgo plus 14 other South Texas counties
Who it's for
The Hidalgo County Community Services Agency (HCCSA) is a Hidalgo County BoCC department serving as the direct TDHCA-contracted Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) subrecipient for Hidalgo County. HCCSA delivers utility bill assistance, deposit assistance, and energy crisis assistance to low-income Hidalgo County households. The BoCC-department CEAP delivery model parallels Dallas DCHHS, Bexar BCECD, and Travis HHS, but Hidalgo is DISTINCTIVE in having TWO PARALLEL CEAP subrecipients — HCCSA (county-administered) and the Community Action Corporation of South Texas (CACOST, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit covering Hidalgo plus 14 other South Texas counties: Aransas, Brooks, Duval, Jim Hogg, Nueces, Starr, Willacy, Bee, Cameron, Jim Wells, Kleberg, San Patricio, Webb, Zapata). This dual-subrecipient structure means Hidalgo County applicants may apply through EITHER HCCSA OR CACOST — different funding cycles and intake processes mean one source may be open when the other is full. Eligibility is set at 150% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines. Senior-headed households receive application priority. Texas RGV's hot summer climate makes COOLING-CRISIS assistance especially critical for Hidalgo seniors. Apply at HCCSA in person at 2524 N. Closner, Edinburg, by calling 956-383-3826, or by applying through CACOST at cacost.org. U.S. citizenship or eligible non-citizen documentation is required.
Hidalgo County is DISTINCTIVE in having TWO parallel CEAP subrecipients — HCCSA (Hidalgo County BoCC dept) and CACOST (501(c)(3) nonprofit covering Hidalgo plus 14 other South Texas counties). This dual-subrecipient structure benefits applicants because one source may be open when the other is full or has waitlist. Apply at WHICHEVER subrecipient is currently accepting applications. CACOST's 15-county service area means its funding cycles differ from HCCSA's Hidalgo-only allocation. The 150% FPL income gate is the TDHCA-statewide standard. RGV summer heat makes cooling-crisis CEAP applications dominant — apply EARLY in the summer cooling season. Citizenship/eligible-non-citizen documentation is required at both subrecipients — DACA recipients may face restrictions depending on subrecipient policy. Hidalgo County is one of the largest U.S. counties WITHOUT a public hospital district, so CEAP utility assistance is part of a fragmented safety net relying heavily on nonprofit CAA infrastructure.
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 (Magic Valley Electric Cooperative, AEP Texas, retail electric provider, or natural gas provider) and any past-due notices
- Photo identification for the head of household
- Proof of Hidalgo County residency
- Documentation of household members and ages
- U.S. Citizenship OR eligible non-citizen documentation (Permanent Resident card, etc.)
- 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: 956-383-3826
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.