Utility help once every 12 months for a past-due bill facing disconnection, by appointment (bring the disconnect notice). One-time rent help for people with an eviction notice after an unexpected loss, applied for online. Also a walk-in choice food pantry, $50 emergency prescription help, eye exams and glasses, monthly dental walk-in scheduling and transitional housing. Help depends on funding.
State-funded help with electric and gas or propane heating and cooling bills, plus weatherization. It is usually one-time help for households at or below 150% of the federal poverty level, which in 2026 is $49,500 a year for a family of four. Priority goes to people who are elderly or disabled, families with a child under 6, and working families. It does not pay rent or water bills. There is no online application: download the paper form at get-cap.org and bring or email it, or book an appointment at 936-720-7474. Bring ID and proof of all income from the last 30 days. Decisions can take 60 to 90 days, and GETCAP says to keep paying your bills while you wait.
Hours
Please call for hours
Address
1010 W SW Loop 323, Tyler, TX 75701
Call first. Office hours are not published. Call, or book an appointment at 936-720-7474.
A veteran resource center that says it serves all of East Texas. It helps with VA benefits and claims, home loans, counseling and housing, and offers free rides to medical appointments. Its Direct Assistance Program, by appointment only, can help veterans with rent or mortgage, utilities, insurance, internet and phone, car payments and repairs, and groceries. Bring your DD214 or military ID, the bill, and a current bank statement. Veterans with a dishonorable, bad conduct or entry-level discharge are not eligible.
Hours
Please call for hours
Address
3212 W. Front St, Tyler, TX 75702
Call first. Hours are not published, so please call first.
Where can I get help paying rent or a utility bill in Smith County, Texas?
We have confirmed 3 places that can help in Smith County: PATH (People Attempting To Help) in Tyler (Monday to Thursday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM), (903) 597-7284; GETCAP, energy assistance (Tyler office), (903) 962-2670, call first; CampV, veteran resource center and emergency bill help (Tyler), (903) 566-1010, call first. Please call first to confirm the ones marked call first. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.
Something missing, or out of date?
If you run a pantry or program, or saw a listing that is wrong, tell us. We check every message against the organization's own page before anything changes.
