Benefits · Emergency Aid

How to apply for Community Action Partners (CAP) — Fort Worth/Tarrant County CEAP

Community Action Partners (CAP) — a department of the City of Fort Worth Neighborhood Services Department; designated Community Action Agency for Tarrant County; the direct TDHCA Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) subrecipient for Tarrant County; supplements the broader TDHCA CEAP statewide framework (see tx.ceap)

Who it's for

Community Action Partners (CAP) is the CITY OF FORT WORTH-operated Community Action Agency for Tarrant County and the direct TDHCA-contracted Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) subrecipient. CAP is DISTINCTIVE among modeled TX county CEAP delivery models — it is a CITY DEPARTMENT (not a county BoCC department like Dallas DCHHS or Bexar BCECD, and not a nonprofit subrecipient like Harris's BakerRipley) — meaning a single city government runs the CEAP for an entire county. CAP receives Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funds and CEAP funds, providing utility bill payment assistance, senior resources, financial empowerment, and employment resources. CAP serves customers of Atmos Energy, TXU, Reliant, and other retail electric providers operating in Tarrant County. Eligibility is set at 150% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines ($23,475/year single 2026). Senior-headed households receive application priority. CRITICAL CURRENT STATUS: CAP application submissions have been SUSPENDED due to overwhelming applicant backlog — once the backlog is processed, CAP will reopen applications if remaining program-year funds permit. This is a documented capacity constraint in 2025-2026 Tarrant County CEAP delivery. To check current application status, call CAP at 817-392-5680 or visit fortworthtexas.gov/departments/neighborhoods/cap. Mailing address: City of Fort Worth - Community Action Partners, PO Box 6519, Fort Worth TX 76115. For Tarrant County seniors who can't access CAP CEAP due to the suspension, the AAATC ADRC (888-730-2372) can provide referrals to alternative emergency utility resources.

Community Action Partners (CAP) is DISTINCTIVE among TX county CEAP delivery models — a CITY OF FORT WORTH department (not a Tarrant County BoCC department, not a nonprofit subrecipient) runs the CEAP for the entire Tarrant County area. CRITICAL: CAP application submissions are CURRENTLY SUSPENDED due to overwhelming backlog. Tarrant County applicants may need to wait for the application portal to reopen, OR be referred to alternative emergency utility resources via the AAATC ADRC (888-730-2372) or 211. status_ceiling=needs_more_info because CURRENT eligibility depends on whether applications are open at the time of inquiry — this changes dynamically as backlog clears and funding cycles. The 150% FPL income gate is the TDHCA-statewide standard. CAP serves all Tarrant County residents regardless of city — Fort Worth, Arlington, Grand Prairie, Mansfield, etc. — through a single Fort Worth-administered subrecipient.

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 (Atmos Energy, TXU, Reliant, or your retail electric provider) and any past-due notices
Photo identification for the head of household
Proof of Tarrant County residency (utility bill, lease, or government correspondence)
Documentation of household members and ages (especially seniors, disabled, children under 6 for priority)
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: 817-392-5680

Renewals

up to multiple benefits per program year (regular + summer crisis + winter crisis); CURRENTLY SUSPENDED due to backlog as of 2026

Official source →Last verified · June 6, 2026

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Not legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.