Rent and/or Utility Assistance Application

NOTICE:

All available rent and utility assistance funds have been distributed to more than 800 households throughout Tarrant County. Center for Transforming Lives received notice that additional funding for rent and utility assistance will be made available beginning in October. Please check our website regularly as we near October for details on how to apply.

If you previously applied and were eligible but did not receive assistance, you will need to submit a new application for the new cycle. Applicants who were previously determined to be ineligible should only re-apply if their circumstances have changed and they now meet the eligibility criteria below. Assistance is not guaranteed.

Here are additional resources that may be helpful to you and your family:

211 Texas has a list of resources.
MyFriendBen is a free benefits screening tool that can help identify assistance and other public benefits for which you may qualify.
The City of Fort Worth’s Community Action Fund may be able to provide utility assistance.
Mobile health care and benefits enrollment assistance are also offered by partners at Center for Transforming Lives’ Riverside Campus. Please visit Mobile Health Partners or Benefits Enrollment for more information.

APPLICATION ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

All applicants must provide all of the following documentation at time of application:

You must meet these eligibility requirements:

Tarrant County residency
U.S. Citizen or lawful permanent residence status
Adult over 18 or emancipated minor
No accessible resources or assets
Must apply for SNAP (food stamps) and other resources
Must be disabled or registered for work
Must meet specific income guidelines
All income is counted and must be verified (This includes child support, SSI, TANF, income of all persons living in the household, ongoing contributions from outside sources, as well as other income or benefits.)
If not disabled, the applicant who is able-bodied must meet work participation requirements, which are met by either:
- Working or participating in a work training program at least 20 hours per week
- Persons working must receive pay equal to the federal minimum wage at 20 hours per week in a month
Able-bodied adults without dependents are defined as individuals aged 18 – 65 who:
- Are not living with and caring for a dependent child under age 5 or caring for a disabled individual
- Are not disabled
- Must comply with the above work requirements (20 hours/week or equivalent participation in a qualifying work program) to maintain eligibility

All of the following documents are required to submit application:

Picture ID
Social Security card
Lease agreement (if seeking rental assistance)
Utility bill (if seeking utility assistance)
Income documents
Proof of disability (if applicable)
Proof of dependents (if applicable)

You must be at or below these annual household income limits:

Household Size
1) $23,475
2) $31,725
3) $39,975
4) $48,225
5) $56,475
6) $64,725
7) $72,975
8) $81,225
Each additional household member $5,500

About Rent and Utility Assistance

Center for Transforming Lives provides short-term rent and/or utility assistance to eligible households facing financial hardship, with the goal of preventing eviction, utility disconnection and homelessness. The rent and utility assistance program is generously funded through a grant from Tarrant County. As we near the end of the current grant cycle, applications will be reviewed based on available funding.

This program is not intended for immediate or emergency use and may take several weeks for your application to be processed. We encourage you to reach out to the list of resources above for any emergency assistance needs.

Assistance is available for Tarrant County, Texas residents only.
The rent and utility assistance program is generously funded through a grant from Tarrant County. As we near the end of the current grant cycle, applications will be reviewed based on available funding.