Resources for Low-Income Families

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ACROSS TEXAS

  • Medicaid, a joint federal and state health coverage program, supports families with little or no health insurance. Through its services, pregnant women may be eligible to receive prenatal and postpartum care (up to 60 days). Healthcare costs are covered as long as care is received from a Medicaid provider. For any uninsured pregnant women ineligible for Medicaid, CHIP Perinatal is another viable option. It provides prenatal visits, and labor, delivery, and postpartum care. Visit the Texas Health and Human Services website to learn more.

  • The Nurse-Family Partnership empowers first-time moms to create a better future for themselves and their babies. The nonprofit has specially trained nurses who partner with expectant moms, starting early in the pregnancy and continuing through the child’s second birthday. The organization offers services to women in 43 counties throughout Texas.

  • The Women, Infants, and Children program (WIC) provides federal assistance to low-income women during and after pregnancy, as well as to infants and children up to age 5. Find a local WIC agency here. For eligibility information, visit the Texas WIC website.

  • Lactation care centers in Houston, Austin, Dallas, and McAllen provide breastfeeding support to mothers who have recently given birth through the Texas Ten Step program. Their services are free to mothers who are eligible for the WIC program. 

  • Jewish Family Services, which assists people of all faiths, has locations in Austin, Dallas, and Houston and offers free individual counseling sessions for low-income families. They also have a food pantry and offer classes and counseling for women seeking career advice.

  • Some local fire stations and police departments will give mothers free or reduced-priced car seats.

AUSTIN AND SURROUNDING AREA

  • Central Health helps low-income Travis County residents get access to affordable healthcare. They also provide assistance to those suffering from substance abuse disorders and mental illnesses.

  • For Austin-area women, Giving Austin Labor Support is a nonprofit volunteer organization that provides free prenatal care. They also provide free, on call doula services to mothers and have partnered with the Travis County Correctional facility and provide doula services to incarcerated pregnant women.

  • The Foremost Family Health Center in Balch Springs offers health services on a sliding scale based on income.

  • The Maternal Infant Outreach Program provides free services, such as health education, one-on-one home visits and labor and delivery support to low-income black women in Travis County.

  • The Central Texas Food Bank provides mobile food bank services to all of Central Texas. It also provides social work services and enrollment support in programs such as SNAP.

  • Project Access Austin gives free medical care and ancillary services to low-income, uninsured and underinsured Travis County residents.

  • Dell Children’s Simply Safety Store offers everything from safety seats and life jackets to portable cribs and childproof locks at cost or a reduced cost. They also offer financial assistance for car seats for qualifying families.

DALLAS AND SURROUNDING AREA

  • The Network of Community Ministries in Richardson offers baby clothes and bill assistance. 

  • For Dallas area residents, the nonprofit ChildCareGroup provides early childhood education services to children and parents. It also launched HelpMeGrowNorthTexas.org for parents and families to find resources such as family support services, parenting programs, and early education and child care programs.

HOUSTON AND SURROUNDING AREA

  • The Houston Food Bank helps women apply for SNAP — the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

  • Community Family Centers provides family support services and early childhood education to low-income families living in Houston’s Greater East End.

  • Houston's Star of Hope is dedicated to meeting the needs of homeless men, women, and their children living in the Houston area. They offer health clinics, parenting classes, on-site daycare, and counseling.

SAN ANTONIO AND SURROUNDING AREA