Get Help
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If you live in zip codes 78703, 78705, 78722, 78751, or 78756
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St. Austin's St. Vincent de Paul Society provides support to our neighbors in need with rent and utility assistance. We occasionally help with other services on a case by case basis.
During this time of COVID-19, we meet with our neighbors by phone, or, when requested, make home visits maintaining all appropriate precautions: we wear masks and gloves and maintain 6' social distancing.
For help, call the Vincentian line at 512.477.1589 and leave a message. We check messages frequently and will get in touch with you as soon as possible.
**Residents of these zip codes needing help with rent may also be eligible for the Relief of Emergency Needs for Tenants (RENT) program. Apply HERE.**
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For other Austin residents or Austin Energy customers
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St. Austin's Outreach to Persons in Need program helps with a little bit of rent or one utility bill per household every six months. We operate on a lottery system. Eligible applicants are randomly chosen in a weekly drawing. Due to the number of people requesting assistance, we can't help everyone. Those who are not chosen will not be notified.
To request assistance, you must be a resident of Austin or a customer of Austin Energy needing help paying your utility bill. If you meet those requirements, you must text or email the following information to gethelp@staustin.org:
1. Your phone number
2. A picture of your ID
3. An image of one utility bill OR images of your lease
Those who contact us will receive an automatic response with further information. All help is done over the phone on Thursday mornings. Applicants will only be contacted for assistance, to let them know they are not eligible, or to request missing information.
Your apartment complex or utility company must accept a partial payment check from us for you to receive assistance. We can't help with hotel/motel bills, rent or utility deposits, or rental payments to individuals. All other types of assistance we have helped with in the past are currently on hold.
For more information or to see our full eligibility criteria, click here.
**Austin Residents needing help with rent may also be eligible for the Relief of Emergency Needs for Tenants (RENT) program. Apply HERE.*
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If you are expecting or have a child under age 2
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The Gabriel Project offers help for expectant mothers and caregivers of young children (under two) in need. Their support is confidential, immediate and practical. Their assistance covers many needs from diapers and wipes, to clothing for infants and young children. Gabriel volunteers provide emotional, spiritual, material, and educational support. For help, please call (512) 410-2254 to be connected with the Gabriel Project nearest you.
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If you live outside of Austin
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If you do not live in Austin and do not have a City of Austin/Austin Energy utility bill you need help with, you might be able to find other places that can help you by visiting AuntBertha.com or by calling 2-1-1.
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If you are a parishioner in need
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Please contact Kristen Dempsey Paysk, Director of Social Justice Ministries, at 512.477.9471 X 324 for confidential assistance.
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If You Need More Help
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Food Pantries operating:
- Micah 6 Food Pantry: 2203 San Antonio St. on Thursdays, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm and Saturdays, 10:30 am - 11:30 am
- Reconciliation Church: 7000 Cameron Rd. on Wednesdays, 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm. Drive through pick up only.
- St. Louis: 7601 Burnet Rd. on Saturdays, 8:30 am - 10:00 am. Drive through only, no getting out of cars. Be sure there is clear space for volunteers to place food in the back of the car. NO ZIP CODE restrictions.
- Travis Heights: 4300 Russell Dr. on Mondays and Fridays, 10 am - 2:00 pm
- Vincentian Family Center Food Pantry: 901 W. Braker Lane on Saturdays, 9 am - 12 pm noon
- Find a food pantry near you through Central Texas Food Bank.
Worried about being evicted?
Read this form from the CDC: Declration Form. If it is true for you: print, sign, and give it to your landlord or apartment complex. (Unfortumately, there do not appear to be translations of this document into languages other than English.) If your landlord or apartment complex is harrassing you, contact the Austin Tenants Council at the number below.
Austin Tenants Council (for rent disputes) offers phone counseling 512-474-1961 Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 12 pm Noon and Monday - Thursday 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Catholic Charities of Central Texas offers a variety of services. Call 512 651-6100 or visit their website to learn more/apply. All services are currently being offered remotely.- Counseling Services (direct line 512-651-6150)
- Disaster Response
- Financial Stability
- Gabriel Project Life Center (temporarily not accepting new clients)
- Immigration Legal Services (direct line 512-651-6125)
- St. Michael's Veteran Services (any type of discharge status, direct line 512-651-6154)
City of Austin Utility Bills
Call 512-494-9400 for a list of organizations that can help with Austin Energy bills (does not include help paying deposits). Those affected by COVID-19 can also apply for help with their bills at AustinBillHelp.com.
Relief of Emergency Needs for Tenants (RENT) program- Must live within Austin city limits and make 80% or less of the Median Family Income (MFI) - see chart:
- Must currently be on a lease or contractually bound rental relationship and not already a recipient of federal rental assistance programs.
- Must have documentation showing that COVID-19 has affected you financially (e.g. paystubs, unemployment notice, notice of rent due, etc.)
- Assistance is determined via a weekly lottery held until the end of December or all funds are spent.
- Those chosen can receive up to 6 month's rent paid directly to landlord (for unpaid months between March and December).
- Apply HERE.
Travis County Health & Human Services offers a variety of services to Travis County residents. Call 512-854-9020 or visit their website to learn more/apply. Not all services available at all sites.- Financial Help (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
- Food Services (Meals on Wheels Senior Lunch Program & SNAP Food Benefits)
- Housing-Related Services (rent/mortgage/utility payment assistance & home repairs)
- Job Search (Goodwill Job Search Assistance)
- Health Insurance/Medical (Medical Access Program from Central Health, CHIP & Children's Medicaid, Texas Women's Health Program)
- Additional Services (clothing closet, food pantry, indigent burial, job search computer access)
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If You Have Mortgage Payment Problems
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Travis County & the City of Austin Provide Programs
During the challenging financial times brought on by the pandemic, finding the resources to keep up with your mortgage payment can be difficult. Help is available to avoid losing your home to foreclosure and affecting your credit and your ability to rent or purchase another home:- Housing Counselors offer free assistance. For example, the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's "Find a Counselor" tool or call the HOPE™ Hotline, open 24-hours a day, seven days a week, at (888) 995-HOPE (4673).
- Most lenders offer plans designed to help you work out your payments and to keep your home. It's in their interest to help you retain your home.
Find more informaton and apply for assistance at the links below:
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