Bills & Housing Assistance

2-1-1 Help Line

24 hours a day/365 days a year

211 Information and Referral Network, United Way of Central Texas Speak with a call specialist or visit the online portal at 211texas.org for up-to-date information on resources available within the community. Information is available on food pantries, rent and utility assistance, child care, free income tax preparation services, senior services and more. during a disaster, 211 also serves as primary point of contact regarding state and federal resources. Simply dial 211 from any phone or visit 211texas.org to visit the online database or chat with a specialist.

United Way of Central Texas COVID-19 Response & Recovery Fund

COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund, United Way of Central Texas The United Way of Central Texas in partnership with local cities, businesses, and donors has established a fund to assist with immediate needs caused by COVID-19. Open to Bell County households whose employment income was reduced due to COVID-19, the fund can provide one-time help with household bills such as rent, utilities, child care or other.

Note: Our office is currently closed. Please see the website for application. http://www.uwct.org/who-we-help/covid-19-response-recovery-fund

Monday-Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm

Texas COVID-19 Electricity Relief Program

The COVID-19 Electricity Relief Program temporarily keeps Retail Electric Providers in the parts of Texas open to customer choice from disconnecting electricity for customers who can’t pay their whole bill because of serious financial troubles caused by COVID-19. If you or someone in your household currently receive or are in the process of applying to receive unemployment benefits you may apply here for relief.

Housing Eviction & Foreclosure

The bill passed on March 18, 2020 by the Congress, institutes a moratorium on foreclosures for all federally-backed mortgages, including those covered by HUD, USDA, FHA, VA, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac, for 60 days beginning on March 18, 2020. Under the bill, a borrower with a federally-backed mortgage experiencing financial hardship due to coronavirus may also request a forbearance for up to 180 days, which may be extended for another 180 days at the request of the borrower. Borrower must specifically request this relief from their lender, mentioning COVID related loss of income.

The bill passed on March 18, 2020 by the Congress, institutes a moratorium on foreclosures for all federally-backed mortgages, including those covered by HUD, USDA, FHA, VA, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac, for 60 days beginning on March 18, 2020. Under the bill, a borrower with a federally-backed mortgage experiencing financial hardship due to coronavirus may also request a forbearance for up to 180 days, which may be extended for another 180 days at the request of the borrower. Borrower must specifically request this relief from their lender, mentioning COVID related loss of income.The bill also institutes a moratorium on filings for evictions for renters in homes covered by a federally-backed mortgage for 120 days of enactment. Renter submits requests written request to landlord.  This is in addition to the law passed by the State of Texas putting a moratorium on evictions until after April 30, 2020. The bill provides a temporary moratorium on evictions for most residents of federally subsidized apartments, including those supported by HUD, USDA or Treasury (Low Income Housing Tax Credit developments).

Here is a flow chart with more information: Can I be evicted during COVID-19?

Central Texas Housing Consortium (CTHC)

Central Texas Housing Consortium offers a variety of affordable apartments in Temple and Belton.  They work with many partners to provide services for the community.  You can view information and apply on line at by visiting www.cthc.org.  Please call (254) 773-2009 with additional questions. 

 If you have items to donate for our low income residents, please call Sharon Sapp in our office at the (254) 773-2009, extension 221.

Hours: Monday - Thursday 7:30am to 5:30pm & Friday 8:00am to 12:00pm

Location: 700 West Calhoun, Temple, TX 76501

Helping Hands Ministry (Belton)

For help with a Reliant or TXU bill:

Please call us at 254-300-7931 between 8:30am and 4:30pm, Monday-Friday.

Assistance may be available for TXU and Reliant customers living in Bell County who have been referred to us by their energy company. For more information visit https://www.helpinghandsbelton.org/need-assistance.

Hill Country Community Action

Utility/Rent Assistance 

HCCAA provides many services through its 10 Multi-Service Senior Centers. Through these doors, thousands of elderly and other persons needing assistance come to us for help. It takes multiple grants and donations to keep the doors open, including Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), Energy Assistance, Weatherization, Nutrition funding for the elderly, County and City contributions, United Way and other local donations.

http://hccaa.com/ 

The Salvation Army Bell County

Rent and utility assistance is available while grant funding is available. To qualify, please call 254-774-9996, Monday - Friday, 9am - 4pm. 

City of Temple Utility Business Office

For questions or concerns about your water utility bill or payment please click here.