Harris County, anchored by Houston, is the most populous county in Texas — and unlike many rural counties that share a single distant regional office, Harris County has numerous HHSC benefits offices spread across the metro area. The challenge here isn't distance, it's knowing which office and which housing authority actually covers your specific address.
Assistance available in Harris County
🛒 SNAP Food Stamps
SNAP provides monthly food benefits on a Lone Star Card. Texas uses Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility, raising the gross income limit to roughly 165% of the Federal Poverty Level for most households — higher than the federal standard of 130%.
Harris County applicants apply through Your Texas Benefits online, by phone, or in person at one of the many HHSC offices throughout the Houston metro area. Use the office locator to find the location nearest your address.
🩺 Medicaid
Texas has not expanded Medicaid, so eligibility depends heavily on category — children and pregnant women qualify at much higher income levels than parents or other adults. Most Medicaid applications do not require an in-person interview.
Harris County Medicaid applications are processed through the same Your Texas Benefits system as SNAP and TANF, regardless of which specific HHSC office serves your neighborhood.
🏠 Housing Assistance
Harris County has two separate housing agencies depending on your specific address: the Houston Housing Authority (2640 Fountain View Drive, Suite 100, Houston) serves the city of Houston itself, while the Harris County Housing Authority (1933 Hussion Street, Houston) serves the rest of Harris County outside Houston city limits.
Housing assistance is not applied for through Your Texas Benefits — you apply directly with whichever housing authority covers your address. Waitlists for both agencies commonly close for extended periods due to high demand.
💵 Cash Assistance (TANF)
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) provides monthly cash payments to families with children, alongside work-readiness requirements. Texas's TANF cash grants are among the lowest in the country relative to need, though the program is combined with SNAP and Medicaid in a single application.
Harris County TANF applications go through the same Your Texas Benefits system and HHSC office network as SNAP and Medicaid.
Harris County contact information
Finding your nearest HHSC office
Harris County has dozens of HHSC benefits offices across the Houston metro area — there is no single central office. Use the HHS Services Office Locator and enter your ZIP code to find the closest location for SNAP, Medicaid, or TANF in-person help.
Hours: Vary by office, typically Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Statewide Contact Numbers
2-1-1 Texas (benefits help line): 2-1-1, then Option 2
From outside Texas: 877-541-7905
HHSC Office of the Ombudsman: 877-787-8999
Relay Texas (deaf/hard of hearing): 7-1-1 or 800-735-2989
How to apply for benefits in Harris County
- Create a Your Texas Benefits account at yourtexasbenefits.com to apply for SNAP, Medicaid, or TANF — one application covers all three.
- Gather documents — photo ID, proof of income (pay stubs or benefit letters), proof of residency, and Social Security numbers for household members.
- Complete the SNAP interview — required for SNAP applications, usually conducted by phone within about 20 days of submission. Medicaid generally does not require an interview.
- For housing assistance, contact the housing authority that covers your specific address — Houston Housing Authority for the city, Harris County Housing Authority for the rest of the county.
- Watch for your decision — HHSC has up to 45 days to process most applications, with faster handling for pregnancy and emergency Medicaid.