Community Resource Guide

Medicaid- Statewide https://www.yourtexasbenefits.com/Learn/Home Texas Health and Human Services

1. O. Box 149024 Austin, TX 78714-9024

1-800-252-8263

Medicaid is a state benefit program that helps individuals who are in need with little or no money. Through Medicaid, eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women, and individuals who are older or who have disabilities may receive government medical coverage. Medicaid helps cover visits to doctors, dentists, and hospitals. Medicaid also covers medicines ordered by doctors and dentists.

Be ready to answer questions about all family members seeking coverage, such as:

• Social Security number and birth date
• Citizenship or immigration status
• Income from jobs and other sources
• The value of cars and other property
• Bills owed

To apply for benefits, complete the application located at https://www.yourtexasbenefits.com/Apply/GettingStartedApp?lang=en_US.

Medicare-Statewide https://www.medicare.gov/ 1-800-633-4227

TTY 1-877-486-2048

Medicare provides health insurance for individuals 65 years or older. Individuals are eligible to sign up for Medicare 3 months before they turn 65 and may be eligible to get Medicare earlier if they have a disability, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or ALS (also called Lou Gehrig’s disease). Through Medicare, people younger than age 65 with certain disabilities may receive assistance with the cost of health care, although not all medical expenses or the cost of most long- term care may be covered.

Individuals who need help beyond what is on Medicare.gov can talk or live chat with a real person, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (except some federal holidays).

To apply for benefits, complete the application located at https://www.yourtexasbenefits.com/Apply/GettingStartedApp?lang=en_US.

Social Security- Statewide https://www.ssa.gov/

Social Security Administration 2005 W. Jefferson Ave.

Harlingen, TX 78550

(866) 931-7075

The Social Security program provides a source of income for individuals who are retired, cannot work due to a disability, or are dependent when a parent dies.

The Social Security Administration oversees:

• Retirement benefits
• Disability benefits
• Survivor and family benefits
• Enrollment in Medicare
• Issuance of social security numbers, which are unique identifiers needed to work, handle financial transactions, and determine eligibility for certain government services

Individuals can use the online services to:

• Apply for benefits
• Check the status of claim
• Check the status appeal
• Request a replacement Social Security card (in many areas)
• Receive an instant benefit verification letter

To check for eligibility, complete the eligibility form located at https://www.ssa.gov/prepare/check- eligibility-for-benefits.

To apply for benefits, complete the application located at https://www.ssa.gov/apply .

Supplemental Security Income- Statewide https://faq.ssa.gov/en-US/topic/?id=CAT-01094 1-800-772-1213

TTY 1-800-325-0778

Office Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program provides monthly payments to adults and children with a disability or blindness, who have income and resources below specific financial thresholds. SSI payments are also made to people aged 65 and older without disabilities who meet financial qualifications.

To apply for SSI, complete the application located at https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/start.html.

After you complete the online process, a Social Security representative will schedule an appointment to help you apply for benefits.

Please be prepared with the following:

• The name, date of birth, Social Security number, mailing address, phone number, and email address (optional) for the person applying for SSI
• Your name, phone number, and email address (optional) if you are helping someone else

Temporary Assistance to Needy Families TANF/ Lone Star Card- Statewide https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/financial/cash/tanf-cash-help

1 (800) 777-7328

P.O. Box 149024

Austin, TX 78714-9024

TANF provides monthly cash payments to eligible families with economic need to help pay for food, clothing, housing, utilities, furniture, transportation, phone, laundry, supplies for the home, medical supplies not paid for by Medicaid, and other basic needs. A family can be: (1) parents and their children, or (2) relatives caring for related children.

The one-time TANF program provides a once-in-a-lifetime payment of $1,000 to certain relatives caring for one or more related children. This help can be given to the relatives (grandparents, aunts, uncles, sisters, and brothers) who care for a child that receives TANF, are 25 or older and meet financial eligibility requirements. This payment is available only once, no matter how many other related children live in the home or if other children move in. The payment may be used to pay for food, clothing, housing, utilities, furniture, transportation, phone, laundry, supplies for the home, medical supplies not paid for by Medicaid, and other basic needs.

To apply for benefits, complete the form located at https://www.yourtexasbenefits.com/Learn/Home.

Texas Southmost College – Financial Aid Office https://www.tsc.edu/financial-aid/

Oliveira Student Services Center 1st Floor (956) 295-3620

[email protected]

Office Hours: Mon-Fri. 8:00am – 5:00pm

The TSC Financial Aid Office provides students and their parents information regarding federal, state, institutional, and other sources of financial aid. The Financial Aid Office administers aid to eligible students who, without such aid, would be unable to attend college. Financial aid consists of funds provided to students to help pay for college educational expenses. Financial Aid may consist of:

• Federal and state grants – free money
• Scholarships – free Money
• Loans – money that must be repaid within six months after graduation, when enrolled less

than half time, or when the student completely stops attending school

• Work-Study – A part-time job that can help you pay for school and living expenses

For more information, visit the Financial Aid Student handbook located at https://www.tsc.edu/assets/documents/financialaid/SOP- Financial_Aid_Student_Handbook_FY22.pdf.

Queen of Peace Outreach Ministries www.qphrl.org

1605 New Combes Hwy. Harlingen, TX 78550

(956) 423-6341

[email protected]

Office Hours: Mon – Fri. 9:00am-4:30pm

Queen of Peace Outreach Ministries is a Catholic faith-based community church that provides services to the poor and marginalized. The Queen of Peace provides the following services:

• Utility assistance on Tuesday from 2:30pm to 3:30pm
• Food pantry on Tuesday & Wednesday from 8:00am to 12:00pm
• Clothing on Tuesday & Wednesday from 8:00am to 12:00pm

For more information, visit the webpage located at https://www.qphrl.org/community-service.

United Way of Southern Cameron County https://www.unitedwayrgv.org

634 East Levee St.

Brownsville, TX 78520

(956) 548-6880

Office Hours: Mon-Fri. 8:00am – 5:00pm

United Way of Southern Cameron County strives for the betterment of our community by partnering with other local organizations to build a future where everyone can grow in youth opportunity, financial security, and as a healthy community. The direct service we do provide is our tax assistance program through VITA.

For Income Tax Assistance, available for individuals/ families making $67,000 or less, please bring the following:

• Valid photo identification
• Original Social Security cards for all household members
• A copy of last year’s tax return, if available
• Health Insurance Form 1095-A, if you purchased insurance through the government marketplace
• Income documents, such as Forms W-2, W-2G, and 1099, from all employers and other sources (social security, unemployment, pension, etc.)
• Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099)

• Bank routing numbers and account numbers, for direct deposit of refund
• Form 1098-T, for students with post-secondary tuition expenses or grant income
• Total paid for day care provider and the day care provider’s tax identifying number
• Identity theft prevention pin, if assigned by the IRS
• Note: both spouses must be present to sign the required forms for Married Filing Jointly returns. VITA sites do not prepare Married Filing Separately returns

For more information on ongoing events, visit the United Way of Southern Cameron County Facebook page at https://www.Facebook.com/UnitedWayRGV/.

Valley Initiative for Development & Advancement (VIDA) https://www.vidacareers.org/ 417 S. Ohio Ave.

Mercedes, TX (956) 903-1900

(800) 478-1770 (hotline)

Office Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00am -5:00pm

VIDA helps low-income, unemployed, and underemployed residents of the Rio Grande Valley access the education and training they need to secure high-skilled, high-wage jobs by providing the necessary support services, career guidance, intensive case management, and financial assistance. VIDA counselors infuse group sessions with soft-skills training and wrap-around services such as:

• General employability
• Resume building
• Job interviewing preparation
• Time management
• Financial management
• Study skills
• Monthly case management sessions to help students address and overcome emotional challenges, financial struggles, and family and life stressors

Students will receive customized financial assistance based on need for:

• Tuition
• Textbooks
• Uniforms
• Tools
• Childcare
• Transportation

VIDA Eligibility Requirements are as follows:

• Resident of the Rio Grande Valley
• 18 years or older
• Eligible to work in the United States
• Below the 200% federal poverty guidelines, or
• Underemployed with family responsibilities earning less than $14, or
• Unemployed with family responsibilities registered with the Texas Workforce

To apply, complete the VIDA application located on https://a11443.socialsolutionsportal.com/apricot-intake/6f7064e9-0d50-40fb-8239-0cffd1e83fd1.

For more information, visit the VIDA social media pages at https://www.Facebook.com/vidargv or https://twitter.com/VIDA_Careers.