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Tarrant County Assistance Programs
The City of Fort Worth's Community Action Partners (CAP) serves as the Community Action Agency for Tarrant County and provides comprehensive services to economically disadvantaged individuals, families, and the elderly residing in Tarrant County. Through CAP programs, residents learn to become financially independent, reducing and eliminating their reliance on social services.
In 2018, CAP assisted 13,587 low-income individuals to overcome barriers and make positive life changes.
Residents are assisted with utility bills (electric, gas and propane) throughout the year.
Eligibility
- Participants must be a resident of Tarrant County. Some assistance is only available in certain cities in Tarrant County.
- Most programs require participants to be at a specific level of household income according to the Federal Income Guidelines.
- Participants will be required to provide the following documents:
- Picture identification
- Proof of citizenship
Required for specific programs/services (e.g., original birth certificate, passport) - Proof of household income for all adults 18 and older
- Current utility bill
- Proof of residence
Depending upon the number of requests, funding for some programs may be limited or unavailable.
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning repair assistance for qualifying homes.
Eligibility
- Participants must be a resident of Tarrant County. Some assistance is only available in certain cities in Tarrant County.
- Most programs require participants to be at a specific level of household income according to the Federal Income Guidelines.
- Participants will be required to provide the following documents:
- Picture identification
- Proof of citizenship
Required for specific programs/services (e.g., original birth certificate, passport) - Proof of household income for all adults 18 and older
- Current utility bill
- Proof of residence
Depending upon the number of requests, funding for some programs may be limited or unavailable.
CAP Works provides tuition assistance for short-term certifications and job training, allowing low-income individuals in Tarrant County to improve their chances at employment, in order to become more financially independent and self-sufficient.
CAP Works focuses on proactively addressing some of the root causes of poverty by developing a networking program that provides job training to low-income individuals of all ages and experience levels, which will lead to higher employment and stronger, more sustainable communities.
Programs
CAP Works offers tuition assistance for programs such as, but not limited to:
- Automotive repair
- Beauty school
- Commercial driver
- Culinary skills
- Composite bonding
- Computer systems
- Forklift driving
- Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) training
- Manufacturing Skills Service Council (MSSC) safety
- Medical assistance training, including CPR/EKG certification
- Office careers
- Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) training
- Paralegal
- Pharmacy tech
- Phlebotomy certification
- Security installation
- Welding
Classes are offered through partnerships with Tarrant County College, Goodwill Industries Community Enrichment Center, University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) and other organizations.
Additionally, CAP Works will fund tuition, books, uniforms and other supplies for short team certifications and training for in-demand jobs.
Other Services
- CAP Works also offers other services and workshops to help individuals achieve their professional goals.
- Individual career counseling
- Career assessments designed to help identify skills, interests and possible career fields
- Job fairs, as well as job education and training
- Employment assistance
- Workshops on dressing for success
- Ways to improve your interview skills, presentation skills or job hunting practices
- Information on how to write an effective resume or cover letter
- Budgeting and finance
Depending upon the number of requests, funding for some programs may be limited or unavailable.
These programs are open to Tarrant County residents.
Healthy Homes for Heroes Program
This program assists with modification to ensure that veterans, surviving spouses and their families will be able to remain in a healthy home. Modifications include the following:
- Accessibility modifications such as ramps, grab bars, bathroom modifications, door widening and handrails.
- Health and safety modifications such as heating and air, water and sewer, unstable rotten flooring, electrical system failures and leaky roofs.
This program is supported by grants from the Texas Veterans Commission Fund for Veterans' Assistance.
Forward Home Program
This program helps veterans, surviving spouses and their families by providing them with one-time rental/mortgage and utility payments to prevent homelessness.
- One-time payments for rent, mortgage and utilities to prevent Texas veterans and their families from becoming homeless.
- Preference will be given to honorably discharged veterans.
This program is supported by grants from the Texas Veterans Commission Fund for Veterans' Assistance.
The Fund for Veterans' Assistance provides grants to organizations serving veterans and their families.
Eligibility
Must reside in Tarrant County. Eligible veterans include:
- Veteran who lives in Tarrant County regardless of era or character discharge
- A military person who is on active duty
- National Guard
- Reservists
- Household income is at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI)
- Provide veteran status documentation
- Provide income documentation
- U.S. Citizen or have legal residency, picture ID and Social Security card
- Forward Home additional criteria:
- Copy of utility bills (water, electricity, gas or lease)
- Healthy Homes additional criteria:
- Proof mortgage is current
Depending upon the number of requests, funding for some programs may be limited or unavailable.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) is an IRS-supported, free income tax preparation program for low-to-moderate-income individuals and families. VITA helps taxpayers prepare their tax returns at no cost to individuals and families, and most importantly helps taxpayers claim important tax credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC).
The mission of the city's VITA program is to provide free income tax preparation services to low and moderate-income individuals and families. Through the efforts of community volunteers, VITA helps individuals keep their hard-earned money and brings millions of dollars back into the local economy through refunds and valuable tax credits.
VITA Volunteers provide free income tax assistance from mid-January to the end of April. Locate a VITA site near you by calling the United Way Helpline at 2-1-1 or by visiting MyMoneyDFW.com.
The Cowboy Santas Program Inc. is a 501 C(3) charitable organization that provides toys to low-income children 12 and under during the holiday season. Over the last two decades and through the support of city and community leaders, the program has grown to cover all of Tarrant County. Families must have income at or below 175% of the Federal Income Guidelines.
The holiday season is a time for family, happiness and joy. For many senior citizens it is a time of loneliness, isolation and sadness. Over 15% of Tarrant County's population is comprised of adults age 60 or older. Senior citizens are faced with difficulty in meeting their basic needs on a limited income. The Silver Stars Program is committed to serving vulnerable seniors by ensuring they are remembered during the holiday season.
Seniors are eligible for the Silver Stars Holiday Program when deemed homebound and/or isolated from community support, as identified through partnerships with local social services agencies, nursing facilities, and community organizations across Tarrant County. Their goal is to serve a minimum of 600 low-income and/or isolated senior citizens. We are seeking sponsors to take part in this endeavor by providing items on our website or providing a financial donation to create senior care packages.
Eligibility
- Reside in Tarrant County
- Be 60 years or older and live alone or with persons 60
- Have income that is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level
- Be homebound or isolated from family and/or community support
Rising Stars Youth Leadership Academy is a summer program that provides youth ages 13-18 with exposure to area businesses, agencies and civic groups to provide them with a positive perspective on what their future can hold.
The program is meant to increase educational competence, physical and social development, and increase life skills. The program also exposes these participants to a variety of professional fields, to help further their interests and provide them with guidance on how to succeed at those types of jobs.
Topics that are frequently addressed as part of the Rising Stars program include:
- Public speaking
- Applying for college
- Nutrition and fine dining etiquette
- Money management
- Setting and achieving goals
- Fitness and wellness
- Dressing for success
- Peer pressure and bullying
- Community service projects
- Dangers of drugs and alcohol
The Rising Stars Youth Leadership Academy Program is funded by the Community Service Block Grant - Community Action Partners program of the city's Neighborhood Services.