Public Benefits

SNAP Requirements

• Social security number
• U.S. citizen or a qualified legal alien
• Qualified legal aliens include those who have held a permanent resident card (LPRs) for 5 years, LPR minors, Refugees, Asylees and those receiving SSI.
• Household income that is below 130% of the poverty line.
• Less than $5000 in liquid assets (cash + money in the bank)

CCC works with households who are in need of energy assistance and gives energy education for those who want to learn  and save on energy cost.

Medicaid provides health coverage to eligible low-income adults 65+, children, pregnant women, and people with disabilities. All Medicaid benefits includes:

• Doctor visits
• Drugs ordered by a doctor
• Lab and X-ray charges
• Hospital care
• Vision, hearing, and dental care

Medicare saving plan helps pay for all or some of the Medicare monthly payments (premiums), co-pays, and deductibles (money owed to the doctor if Medicare doesn’t cover the entire bill).

Requirements: Individual is currently receiving Medicare with limited resources and income (Single person: up to $2,024/month, married couple: up to $2,744/month)

Medicare beneficiaries can qualify for Extra Help with their Medicare prescription drug plan costs. To qualify for the Extra Help, a person must be receiving Medicare and have limited resources and income.

Harris County Hospital District Gold Card

The Harris County Gold Card is a program of the Harris County Hospital District that provides discounts and subsidies to low-income residents of Harris County when they obtain care at Hospital District clinics and hospitals. Qualification depends on your income, place of residency, and other help you receive or could receive. If you are over 62 and DO NOT receive any social security benefits, you need to go to the social security office and have them issue a letter stating you do not receive any benefits.

You will need the following documents to fill out your application and expedite the verification process:

• Identification for Yourself and Family Members: Texas driver’s license or Texas Identification card, student ID with picture, employee job badge with picture, passport with picture, U.S. Immigration documents with picture, credit card with picture, ID issued by foreign consulates, marriage license, birth certificates, Social Security card, U.S. naturalization, citizenship or other federal documents, hospital or birth records, adoption papers or records, voter’s registration card, or wage stubs
• Proof of Address: Accepted proofs dated within the past 60 days: utility bill, credit card statement, mortgage statement; rental verification form, commercial mail addressed to you or your spouse, printout from Texas Workforce Commission, domicile verification form completed by a reliable person not living with you. Accepted proofs dated within the past year: Lease agreement, school records for minor children, Department of Motor Vehicle documents, property tax statement, automobile insurance documents, automobile registration, printout from IRS or Social Security Administration, certification documents from Food Stamps, Medicaid, or Chip, letter from recognized social services agency, current voter’s registration card, post office records, and church records.
• Proof of Income (last 30 days): pay check stubs; pay checks; W-2 tax forms; wage verification letter; current year 1040 tax form; benefit letters; retirement checks or statements
• Proof of Household Composition: birth certificate; baptismal record; most recent IRS 1040 form; Social Security Award letter for dependents; school documents; insurance documents; U.S. Immigration application; divorce or child support decree; baby’s Popras form, birth fact record, or hospital armband); proof of school enrollment for students aged 18-23
• Proof of Immigration Status if applicable: Documentation from the INS
• Proof of Health Coverage if applicable: award or claim letters; insurance policies; court document; other legal papers
• Medicare Patients: If you have Medicare coverage and you want to apply for a discount on services and fees not covered by Medicare, you must provide proof of your resources and liabilities, Medicare Identification Card, Bank Statements (dated for last 30 days), and Credit Card Statements (dated from last 30 days)

If you are applying for the first time you will need to have a face-to-face interview at one of the six Eligibility Centers or at a HCHD community outreach location.

To make an appointment with an eligibility center, call (713) 566-6509. The Centers are listed below. You will be asked to apply for Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or Social Security Income Benefits as well.

To find an HCHD community outreach location, call (713) 566-6064. CCC is an outreach location. Assistance applying for medical financial eligibility occurs the 2nd and 4th Monday every month beginning at 8-11:30am on a first come, first serve basis. Assistance will be provided for the Gold Card Application, Health Education, and CHIP and CHIP Perinatal applications for children and pregnant women.

To contact CCC directly for more information, call (713) 271-6100 Ext. 112 or 114.

CenterPoint Energy’s Agencies in Action (AIA) partners with local nonprofit organizations, like the Chinese Community Center, to install comprehensive whole-house energy efficiency upgrades to income-eligible single household homes in Harris County at no cost.

Requirements

In order to qualify for the program, households/homes must meet several requirements:

• Homes must receive electric distribution service from CenterPoint Energy and be served by an individual electric meter.
• Household income cannot exceed 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
• Homes must have electric air conditioning.
• Homes cannot exceed 3,500 square feet of conditioned space.
• Homes must be at least 16 years old.

How to Apply

To apply for the program:

1. Click here to fill out the screening questionnaire about your home.
2. Click here to fill out the income verification form.

Available Services

• Specialty LED lightbulbs
• Water Heater Pipe Insulation
• ENERGY STAR® Connected Thermostats
• Ceiling and Wall Insulation
• Solar Screens
• Central Air Conditioners
• Central Heat Pumps

• LED 燈泡
• 熱水器管道保溫
• 能源之星® 連接恆溫器
• 天花板和牆壁保暖
• 太陽能屏幕
• 中央空調
• 熱水器

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax help to people who generally make $58,000 or less, persons with disabilities and limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals.

Please visit www.makejusticehappen.org.