Questions people ask
Where can I get free food in Hays County, Texas?
We have confirmed 13 places that can help in Hays County: Texas HHS Benefits Office, San Marcos, (512) 753-2201, call first; Camino Real Elementary School in Kyle (Wednesday and Friday, 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM), (512) 268-8505, call first; St. Anthony Marie de Claret in Kyle (Tuesday, 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM), (512) 268-5311, call first. 10 more are listed on this page. Please call first to confirm the ones marked call first. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.
Where can I get housing help in Hays County, Texas?
We have confirmed 2 places that can help in Hays County: Kyle Housing Authority, (512) 394-4138, call first; San Marcos Housing Authority, (512) 353-5058, call first. Please call first to confirm the ones marked call first. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.
Where can I find a free or low-cost clinic in Hays County, Texas?
We have confirmed 5 places that can help in Hays County: CommuniCare Health Centers, Kyle, (512) 268-8900, call first; CommuniCare Health Centers, San Marcos, (512) 268-8900, call first; CommuniCare Health Centers, Wimberley, (512) 268-8900, call first. 2 more are listed on this page. Please call first to confirm the ones marked call first. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.
Where can I get help with addiction or mental health in Hays County, Texas?
We have confirmed 2 places that can help in Hays County: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (24 hours a day, 7 days a week), 988; SAMHSA National Helpline (Open 24 hours a day, every day), (800) 662-4357. If you are in crisis right now, call or text 988. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.
Where can I get help with veterans benefits in Hays County, Texas?
We have confirmed 3 places that can help in Hays County: Texas Veterans Commission, (800) 252-8387, call first; Veterans Crisis Line (Open 24 hours a day, every day), 988; VA national phone lines (Benefits line, Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM Eastern), (800) 827-1000. Please call first to confirm the ones marked call first. A veteran in crisis can call 988 and press 1, or text 838255.
Where can I get free legal help in Hays County, Texas?
We have confirmed 3 places that can help in Hays County: Legal Hotline for Texans (Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Call 800-622-2520 and choose option 3), (800) 622-2520; Child Support Office (Texas Attorney General), San Marcos, (800) 252-8014, call first; Texas Child Support (Attorney General) (Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM), (800) 252-8014. Please call first to confirm the ones marked call first. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.
Where can I get help with WIC, jobs or parenting in Hays County, Texas?
We have confirmed 6 places that can help in Hays County: Texas WIC, Kyle Clinic (Tuesday and Thursday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM. Wednesday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM), (512) 393-8040; Texas WIC, City of San Marcos (Tuesday and Thursday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Wednesday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM), (512) 393-8040; Child Support Office (Texas Attorney General), San Marcos, (800) 252-8014, call first. 3 more are listed on this page. Please call first to confirm the ones marked call first. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.
Is HelpByState free to use?
Yes. There is nothing to sign up for and nothing to pay. Every listing is free, and so is adding or correcting one.
Why do some listings say call first?
Church and community pantries often change days, move, or close for a holiday. When the sources we checked disagree, or an organization does not publish its hours, we say so instead of guessing. A quick call saves a trip.
I run a pantry or a program. How do I get listed or fix our hours?
Use the Add a listing or Suggest an update form. We confirm it against your own page or contact you, then change the listing. It is free.
Is this the same as 2-1-1?
No. 2-1-1 is a statewide phone line and database run by the state network. HelpByState is an independent, county-by-county directory that shows the date each listing was checked. If you want to talk to a person, dial 2-1-1.
Where do the hours and phone numbers come from?
From each organization's own website or page, official sources such as housing authority and WIC clinic lists, and the public Find Food map of the Central Texas Food Bank. We list the source on every card.