Denton County Hardship Programs: Where to Get Help With Bills, Rent, and Food

Where to start when money runs short

Denton County stretches from Denton and Sanger in the north to Lewisville, Flower Mound, Carrollton, and The Colony in the south. Help is spread across many groups, and each one covers different cities, needs, and funding cycles. Two free services can point you to whoever has money right now.

United Way of Denton County resource navigation. Call 940-566-2688, Monday to Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m., or fill out the form on its Find Help page to have a navigator contact you. The main office is at 1314 Teasley Lane in Denton. Navigators know which local agencies are currently taking applications and can help with housing crises, food, and other needs.

211 Texas. Dial 2-1-1 any time, or search the 211 Texas directory online. It covers the whole state and is open around the clock. Our 211 Texas financial assistance guide explains what to ask when you call.

Calling both is fine. United Way staff often know about small local funds that a statewide line may miss.

Denton County hardship programs by need

This table matches common emergencies with the agency to contact first. Each one sets its own rules and may run out of funds, so call before you go.

Electric, gas, and water bills

TCOG Energy Services (CEAP)

Texas pays for utility help through the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program, or CEAP, and each county is served by one local agency. For Denton County, that agency is the Texoma Council of Governments. Its utility assistance page lists Collin, Cooke, Denton, Fannin, Grayson, Hunt, and Rockwall counties.

What we found on TCOG’s page in November 2026:

• Income: TCOG’s chart shows 100% and 150% of the federal poverty guidelines, for example $15,960 and $23,940 a year for one person. The page says households must meet federal income guidelines but does not spell out which column is the cutoff. Texas CEAP rules (10 TAC 6.309) set benefit levels for households up to 150% of poverty, so 150% is the statewide ceiling; lower-income households can get larger amounts. Ask TCOG about any local priorities.
• How to apply: the page says the wait list takes applications by mail or in-person drop-off only, at 1117 Gallagher Drive, Suite 200, Sherman, TX 75090, or by drop slot at 900 East Park Blvd., Suite 155, Plano, TX 75074. The intake box says wait-list applications are not accepted by email, online submission, or fax, but an FAQ on the same page still mentions applying online (checked November 14, 2026). Because the two instructions conflict, call ext. 3541 to confirm before you send anything.
• Documents: proof of the last 30 days of income for every adult, all pages of your current utility bills, proof of citizenship or eligible status for every household member, and photo ID for adults.

TCOG pays the utility company directly. It does not publish a set dollar amount, so the help you get depends on your bill and available funds. For background on how CEAP works statewide, read our Texas CEAP guide.

CoServ members

CoServ, the electric and gas cooperative that serves much of the county, runs its own Financial Assistance Program for members and customers facing hardship in Collin, Cooke, Denton, Grayson, Tarrant, Wise, and Kaufman counties. You apply through CoServ’s online form. CoServ also lets customers request a payment due-date extension. Call Customer Care at 940-321-7800.

Other utilities

If your power comes from Denton Municipal Electric, a retail electric provider, or Atmos Energy, call the company before the due date and ask about payment plans or hardship funds. For water bills, ask your city utility office. 211 can tell you which church or charity is currently helping with water bills in your city.

Rent help and eviction defense

The big pandemic rent programs are over, so rent help in Denton County now comes in smaller amounts from charities and local funds. These are the main places to ask:

• Christian Community Action (CCA). Based at 200 S. Mill Street in Lewisville, CCA serves Denton County with a food market, senior services, children’s programs, and education programs. CoServ’s partner list describes CCA as providing critical rental and utility assistance. CCA’s Seeds for Success program was closed to new applications when we checked; its site says to check back on the 15th of each month. Call 972-221-1224 to ask what is open.
• The Salvation Army of Denton. 1508 E. McKinney Street, (940) 566-3800. It runs a food pantry and social services. Ask whether rent or utility funds are available this month.
• United Way navigation. Navigators track which smaller rent funds and church programs are open.

If you have an eviction notice

Do not ignore court papers. Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas has a Denton office at 2220 San Jacinto Blvd., Suite 205 (940-383-1406). Its statewide intake line is 1-888-529-5277, and it lists a tenant line at 855-548-8457. Texas changed its eviction rules under Senate Bill 38 for cases filed on or after January 1, 2026, which can shorten timelines. The Texas Justice Court Training Center posts plain summaries of the new rules. Our Texas eviction assistance guide covers your options step by step.

Food pantries across the county

United Way keeps a list of Denton County food pantries. A few from that list, by area:

• Denton: Denton Community Food Center, 306 N. Loop 288, Suite 400, (940) 382-0807; Asbury Relief Ministry, 117 Hercules Lane, (940) 387-6487; Salvation Army, 1508 E. McKinney Street.
• Lewisville: Christian Community Action, 200 S. Mill Street.
• Little Elm: Little Elm Area Food Bank, 501 Bill Street.
• Aubrey: Hope Food and Clothing Ministry, 819 Sherman Drive, (940) 218-5615.
• Pilot Point: Shepherd’s Storehouse, 1189 S. Hwy 377, (940) 686-2620.
• Argyle: Argyle Food Bank, 9033 Hwy 377, (940) 464-7224.

United Way asks people to confirm hours and paperwork with each pantry before visiting. Many serve only certain ZIP codes or allow one visit a month.

Shelter and homeless services

Our Daily Bread at 909 N. Loop 288 in Denton runs a day shelter open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., with meals, hygiene services, a housing-focused shelter program, and inclement weather shelter. Call (940) 566-1308.

For longer-term housing, United Way suggests asking for a coordinated entry interview with one of the county’s homeless service nonprofits. That interview puts you on the community list for housing programs. United Way’s navigation line can set it up. Serve Denton at 306 N. Loop 288 houses several nonprofits under one roof, with categories for housing, food, health care, and financial support; call (940) 735-3234.

Help after abuse or violence

Denton County Friends of the Family serves people affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, and abuse. Its services include emergency shelter, transitional housing, safety planning, advocacy, legal help, and counseling. Everything is free, confidential, and offered in English and Spanish. The 24/7 crisis line is (940) 382-7273 (call or text). The outreach office is at 4845 S. I-35E, Suite 200, in Corinth (940-387-5131).

Health care and mental health support

Texas counties that are not covered by a hospital district run a County Indigent Health Care Program for very low-income residents. The state’s program page sets the income limit at 21% of the federal poverty guidelines and resources under $2,000, and says to contact your county’s program to apply. Denton County’s website lists an Indigent Health Care page, but the site blocked our checks on November 13 and 14, 2026, so call 211 or the county for current contact details.

For mental health, United Way lists Denton County’s Mental Health Navigators: call or text LINK to (940) 349-3000. In a crisis, call or text 988 any time. The county’s public mental health authority, Denton County MHMR Center, runs a 24-hour crisis line at 800-762-0157, according to the Texas HHS crisis services list.

If you may qualify for Medicaid or CHIP, apply through the state at YourTexasBenefits.com, covered below. For low-cost clinics near you, ask 211 or the United Way navigators.

Jobs, training, and child care

Denton County is served by Workforce Solutions for North Central Texas, which covers 14 counties around Dallas and Tarrant, including Denton. Its Denton Workforce Center can help with job searches, training programs, and applications for child care help for working parents. If you lost your job, file for unemployment with the Texas Workforce Commission right away, since benefits start from the week you file.

United Way also runs Denton County Works, a free program for job and résumé help. Ask about it through the navigation line.

State benefits worth applying for

Local charities usually help once or twice a year. State programs can help every month. Apply for these at YourTexasBenefits.com:

• SNAP food benefits, based on income and household size. A one-person household’s gross monthly income limit is $1,729 for October 2026 through September 2027.
• Medicaid and CHIP for children, pregnant women, and some adults.
• TANF cash help for very low-income families with children.

Applying is free. If you need help with the online form, the Salvation Army and other local agencies can often walk you through it.

What should I bring when I apply?

Each agency has its own list, so ask when you call. For TCOG’s utility help, the page lists 30 days of income proof for every adult, full utility bills, citizenship or eligible status proof, and photo ID. Charities helping with rent usually also want your lease and any late notice or eviction papers. For a general checklist, see our documents guide.

A plan for this week

1. Call United Way navigation (940-566-2688) or dial 211 and explain your emergency.
2. Call your utility before the due date to ask for an extension or payment plan.
3. Send a TCOG application if your problem is an electric, gas, or propane bill.
4. Contact CCA or the Salvation Army for rent, food, or other help.
5. Apply for SNAP and Medicaid at YourTexasBenefits.com so you have steady help.
6. Call Legal Aid the same day if you receive eviction papers.

Related guides

• Collin County electric bill assistance
• Dallas County emergency financial assistance
• Financial help in Fort Worth, TX
• Hardship grants in Texas

Frequently asked questions

This guide is general information. Programs, funding, and hours change often, so confirm with each agency before you visit. National Relief Program is an independent website and is not affiliated with Denton County, United Way, or any government agency.