Benefits · Emergency Aid
How to apply for Tarrant County Community Resources — Emergency Rental, Utility, and Senior Aid
Tarrant County Commissioners Court Community Resources — administered through the Office of the County Judge and Commissioner Precinct offices; provides referrals and direct emergency rental and utility assistance for low-income Tarrant County residents, supplementing the City of Fort Worth-administered CAP CEAP program
Who it's for
Tarrant County's Community Resources framework is the BoCC-administered emergency safety net for the broader Tarrant County area outside the City of Fort Worth (which has its own City of Fort Worth Neighborhood Services / CAP program serving the city's residents). The Tarrant County Community Resources network includes: (1) emergency rental assistance referrals through Commissioner Precinct offices; (2) utility assistance referrals supplementing the City of Fort Worth CAP CEAP (tx.tarrant.cap_fort_worth_ceap), which is currently capacity-constrained; (3) senior-specific resources coordinated with the United Way of Tarrant County's Area Agency on Aging (tx.tarrant.aaa_tarrant_united_way); (4) referrals to multi-agency partners including 211 (United Way information line), Salvation Army, Catholic Charities Fort Worth, and faith-based emergency aid networks across Tarrant County. Tarrant County Community Resources is DISTINCTIVE among modeled TX large-metro counties in that the COUNTY itself does NOT operate a single integrated emergency aid program — rather the county relies on the City of Fort Worth's CAP for CEAP and on the United Way-housed AAATC for senior services, with Commissioner Precinct offices providing referral. This referral-and-coordination model contrasts with Harris's, Dallas's, Bexar's, and Travis's directly-operated county emergency aid programs. For senior-pathway intake, call AAATC at 888-730-2372 or 211 (United Way information line). For specific Commissioner Precinct contacts, visit tarrantcountytx.gov.
Tarrant County's Community Resources framework is DISTINCTIVE in that the county itself does NOT operate a single integrated emergency aid program — rather, Tarrant County relies on a REFERRAL NETWORK of partners. This means: (1) for CEAP utility assistance, call City of Fort Worth CAP (817-392-5680, currently capacity-constrained); (2) for senior services, call AAATC (888-730-2372); (3) for general 211 information and broader emergency aid referrals, dial 211 (United Way information line). For Tarrant County seniors needing ongoing long-term services (in-home personal care, adult day care), the pathway is STAR+PLUS Medicaid (see state-level tx.star_plus). The 200% FPL income gate is conservative editorial modeling — actual sliding-scale thresholds at referral partners vary widely. Commissioner Precinct offices can provide additional referrals to faith-based and community-based emergency aid partners (Catholic Charities Fort Worth, Salvation Army, churches).
What you'll need
- Proof of age 60+ for senior pathway (Texas driver's license, Texas ID, Medicare card, or birth certificate)
- Proof of all household income for the prior 30-60 days (Social Security award letter, pension statement, pay stubs, SSI award letter)
- Proof of Tarrant County residency (utility bill, lease, or government correspondence)
- Photo identification
- For emergency rental: notice to vacate OR eviction notice OR documentation of imminent housing loss
- For utility assistance: utility bill + disconnect notice
- Documentation of household members and ages
Where to apply
Apply online: official application
By phone: 211
Renewals
appropriations-limited at referral partners; benefit availability varies by partner and fiscal year
Not sure if you qualify? Run a free check first.
Find my benefitsNot legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.