Thriving during your service year

Ask your program staff about your member assistance program for resources on financial planning and legal assistance.

  • The following 3 resources are comprehensive directories and platforms for individuals seeking assistance and resources across various categories, including food, housing, healthcare, employment, and more. Each site offers different search and filter features to help users locate relevant services. 

    • Find Help - find free or reduced-cost resources like food, housing, financial assistance, health care, and more.

    • 211 Texas - a Texas-regional hotline for immediate assistance.

    • Connect ATX - a hyper-local resource for the Austin area.

  • Austin Neighborhood Centers
    The City of Austin's Neighborhood Centers provide essential services such as emergency rent and utility assistance to low- and moderate-income families in need through an application-based process with specific requirements. 

  • COA Utilities Customer Assistance Program
    The City of Austin's Customer Assistance Program offers utility bill discounts to eligible low-income residents, helping them save approximately $560 annually on services like electricity, water, wastewater, and drainage. This is an application-based process with specific requirements. If you are experiencing financial hardship and are unable to pay your bill, please call City of Austin Utilities Customer Care at 512-494-9400 immediately to navigate your options and keep your utilities on.

  • Foundation Communities Tax Prep Help
    Foundation Communities' Prosper Financial Wellness program offers FREE financial coaching, benefits assistance, and resources to help individuals and families achieve financial stability, including guidance on credit, debt, budgeting, and savings. They have many locations in Austin and offer weekend appointments.

  • CTX Food Bank: Help with Food Stamps
    The Central Texas Food Bank provides guidance and resources for individuals in Central Texas seeking assistance with applying for SNAP, including information on eligibility criteria and documentation required for the application process.

  • Double Up Food Bucks
    The Sustainable Food Center provides information on participating farmers' markets in Central Texas that accept SNAP, WIC, and FMNP vouchers, as well as offering Double Up Food Bucks to help individuals double their benefits for purchasing fruits and vegetables, with details on market locations, hours, and accepted payment types.

  • Eating on a Stipend: Service Year Alliance 
    Basic foundational tips for members in a service year on how to manage food expenses while on a stipend, including applying for SNAP benefits, learning to cook at home, stocking your kitchen affordably, where to shop for groceries, and strategies for eating out economically.

  • AmeriCorps Childcare Program Fact Sheet
    The AmeriCorps Childcare Program provides childcare benefits to eligible, full-time AmeriCorps members by covering part or all of their childcare costs through payments made directly to approved childcare providers. Please note: It is important to connect with your program administrator when navigaing these benefits. 

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