An official website of the Texas State government
As families navigate through life, learning how to effectively manage finances becomes essential. Whether you are dealing with debt, saving for the future, or need help covering utilities or important health care costs, understanding finances can help set you up for success. Texas offers various programs and resources designed to help achieve self-sufficiency.
Financial Assistance Programs
Various programs are available to provide support for basic needs, tax relief, and supplemental income for those who qualify. These programs are designed to help families who have little to no money, older adults, and individuals with disabilities.
Available programs and supports include:
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
- Earned Income Tax Credit
- Supplemental Security Income
TANF Cash Help
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) provides monthly cash payments to help families afford basic needs like food, clothing, and housing.
What TANF Covers
Basic Needs
Essentials for daily living, like food and clothing.
Housing
Costs associated with maintaining a stable living environment, including utilities like water and electricity.
Household Necessities
General household items, supplies and services for cleaning clothes, and basic furniture needs for a functional living space.
Other
Phone service, transportation costs, medical supplies not paid for by Medicaid, and other basic needs.
Who Is Eligible?
TANF is for low-income families with children ages 18 and younger. A family can be (1) parents and their children, or (2) relatives caring for related children.
The following is used to see if a family can get TANF:
- The amount of money the family has
- The value of things the family is paying for or owns
- The amount the family pays for child care and child support
- To learn more about TANF benefits and eligibility, visit TANF Cash Help.
- Even if you don’t meet all TANF requirements, you may still be eligible for One-Time TANF if your family is in crisis.
Learn more about One-Time TANF to see if you may qualify.
Earned Income Tax Credit
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a federal income tax credit available for working people with low to moderate income.
If you work and your family makes less than the established limit, you may qualify for EITC. The credit amount you receive depends on:
- Your marital status
- The amount of your earned income
- The number of children you have
Important: You must file a federal income tax return to claim this credit, even if you don’t owe any tax and are not required to file a return.
For more details and eligibility requirements, see the IRS Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) page.
Supplemental Security Income
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provides cash to people who are older, blind or who have a disability and who have little or no income. Benefits are paid based on financial need. The money is designed to meet basic needs for food, clothing and shelter.
To learn about eligibility and see if you qualify, visit Who can get SSI.
Help With Taxes
Tax season can feel overwhelming, but there are free resources to help individuals and families file taxes accurately and at no cost. The IRS provides free services to make tax preparation accessible for everyone and ease the process of tax filing.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free assistance to help qualifying people prepare their federal income tax returns.
VITA sites offer free tax help to people who need support preparing their own tax returns, including:
- People who generally make about $64,000 or less
- Persons with disabilities
- Limited English-speaking taxpayers
To learn more about VITA, including where VITA sites are near you and what you should bring to a visit, see Free tax return preparation for qualifying taxpayers.
Filing Your Taxes for Free
You can file your taxes with no cost to you through IRS Free File. The IRS partners with tax service companies, providing online preparation and filing for free.
There are two ways to take advantage of IRS Free File, depending on your preferences and income level.
- Guided Tax Software
If your Adjusted Gross Income is within the established limit, you can use guided tax software. These applications make it easy to prepare and file your federal taxes using a simple guided flow and automatic calculations. Some guided tax software may also provide free state tax preparation and filing. - Fillable Forms
Regardless of your income level, you can use Fillable Forms. This online e-file option provides basic forms and instructions, but less guidance and limited calculations. Fillable Forms cannot be used to prepare and file state taxes.
To learn more about IRS Free File, visit File your taxes for free.
Related Resources
Financial Literacy for Families
Guide to Financial Literacy and Education Resources
HHS Financial Services
Access programs and services to help cover costs and learn more about how to financially prepare your family for the future.
