When money runs short, a few programs can put cash back in your hands — and applying for all of them is free. This 2027 guide covers the financial assistance available to San Antonio residents: monthly TANF cash help for families with children, Texas unemployment benefits if you lost work, and the City’s Housing Assistance Program for emergency rent and utility bills. Each entry includes who qualifies and how to apply. Want us to match you to the right programs? Try our free Apply for Me program.
2027 figures: TANF and unemployment amounts below are the most recently published figures (2026 amounts shown — 2027 updates pending and labeled). Never pay anyone to “help” you apply for these benefits — the real applications are free.
| TANF Cash Help (Texas HHSC) | Monthly cash for families with children 18 and younger who have little to no money — for food, clothing, housing, and utilities. Published maximums (2026 amounts; 2027 pending): family of 3 with 1 parent ≈ $382/mo; family of 4 with 1 caretaker ≈ $459/mo. Recipient parents must meet work and child-support requirements. One-time crisis payments also exist. | 2-1-1 or 877-541-7905 | Apply |
| Texas Unemployment Benefits (TWC) | $75–$605/week for up to 26 weeks (2026 figures; 2027 update expected after TWC’s October reset) | 800-939-6631 | Apply |
| City of San Antonio Housing Assistance Program (HAP) | Emergency rent + utility assistance for households facing instability (2026 figures: up to 3 months rent max $3,500, plus up to $1,500 in utility help; 2027 caps pending). Portal opens monthly on the 2nd Wednesday, 1:00–2:00 PM. Full details in our Housing guide. | 210-207-5910 | Apply |
All programs at a glance
- Monthly cash: TANF for families with children — 2-1-1 or 877-541-7905 (approx. $382/mo for a family of 3 — 2026 figure).
- Texas unemployment: $75–$605/week for up to 26 weeks (2026 figures)
- Rent/utilities emergency: City HAP — 210-207-5910, monthly 2nd-Wednesday portal.
- Everything at once: Free Apply for Me screening for cash aid, food, housing, and utilities.
Not sure where to start?
Answer a few questions in our free Apply for Me program and we’ll send you a personalized guide to every cash and financial benefit you qualify for — with step-by-step instructions.
