The Family Support Services Division of Travis County is the largest provider of basic needs assistance in Travis County. Our organization strives to optimize self-sufficiency for families and individuals in safe and healthy communities. We work to achieve those goals by providing services either directly or through private and not-for-profit agencies. Family Support Services has a social worker at each of our seven community centers who provide clinical case management services to any residents of Travis County who want to develop a plan and create change in their lives.
Services Offered:
- Utility Assistance
- Rent and Mortgage Assistance
- Prescription Assistance
- Home Repair/ Weatherization Referrals
Basic Needs Services:
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Food Programs
- Job Search-computer access (some sites)
- Health Insurance/Medical
- Clothing close (some sites)
Required Documents:
- Photo ID (drivers' license, military ID, State ID, etc.)
- Social Security Card & Numbers for all household members who have them
- Proof of ALL household income for the past 30 days (check stubs, Social Security award letters for current year, unemployment, child support, workers comp, Workforce Solutions registration printout, etc.)
- For utility assistance bring your current utility bill or termination notice
- For rent or mortgage assistance bring proof of amount owed (letter from landlord, mortgage statement, etc.)
- Proof of Travis County residency
Failure to provide the required documents will delay or deny the processing of your request for assistance.
To apply for services:
- Applications are accepted at all seven locations Monday through Friday. Please include as many of the required documents as possible when you turn in your application.
- Once received, your application will be placed on the waiting list for that site. When your turn in line comes up, a case worker will call you to discuss your application and schedule an appointment.
- Your application is good for 30 days. If you have not heard from us within 30 days and you are still in need of assistance, you may call us to have your application extended for another 30 days or you may come back in to reapply.
Applicants unable to visit centers can call for an application to be mailed, faxed, or emailed or send a family or friend on their behalf with their photo ID, letter of authorization and application. All Travis County residents are eligible to receive social work services; however eligibility criteria does apply for financial assistance and other programs.
Please call or visit one of our centers to talk with a social worker. We determine eligibility for services at our local community centers.
Services provided :
- help pay for housing
- help pay for utilities
- food pantry
- maintenance & repairs
- prescription assistance
- financial assistance
- government benefits
- navigating the system
- one-on-one support
- help find work
- clothing
- understand government programs
- help fill out forms
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (512) 854-9130 to book your appointment.
Address :
2201 Post Rd, SUITE 101,
Austin, TX 78704.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Tues: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Wed: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Thurs: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Fri: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Travis
Appointments
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7.
For the full set of services, you can call (512) 854-9130 to book your appointment. Staff can also answer any questions you may have.
Food Pantry in Near By City
Tips for Visiting a Food Pantry
Show up early.
This is very important. This means you will be first in line and have a chance to get the items that are sought after and in limited quantities such as fresh produce, dairy and frozen food.
You don't usually need to show up hours ahead of time but coming at least an hour before is usually a good idea.
Remember all documentation.
Many food pantries require documentation to prove who you are, and in some cases, where you live.
This is to make sure people are not coming more than they are allowed or using fake names to do so. Call ahead of time to find out what documentation is needed.
It's just your photo ID and a piece of mail that verifies your address.
Use several food banks.
Using more than one food bank (when available) is smart because you may be able to get something at one that you may not get at another.
For instance, one may have a deal with a local gardener that gives them their extras. This may mean this food bank has more produce.
Eligible for other programs?
Ask your Department of Social Services office if you are eligible for other assistance programs to supplement your household’s food supply.
They can easily tell you if you can apply for WIC (Women and Infant Children), USDA Commodities or SNAP(Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits.
Ask about extras.
If you have special needs for infants or special diets, the pantries may be able to assist you.
Many times, they can help with diapers, baby formula, baby food, personal hygiene products, and even special diet items like gluten free or sugar free foods.
Go on different days of the week.
Depending on the food pantry, they may be open only one or two days a week or they may be open all seven days. When you have a choice, going midweek is often best as it is less crowded.
Be polite to workers.
Nearly everyone at a food bank is a volunteer. Be polite to the workers there as they often deal with highly emotional situations.
FAQ(Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What is the difference between a food bank and a food pantry?
Independent community food pantries are self-governing and usually distribute food to their clients on a once-a-month basis. A food bank is the storehouse for millions of pounds of food and other products that go out to the community. A food pantry functions as the arms that reach out to that community directly.
2. What kind of food is at a food pantry?
Specifically, food banks often need items like:
- Peanut butter
- Canned soup
- Canned fruit
- Canned vegetables
- Pasta
- Canned beans
- Canned stew
- Canned fish
3. Who can go to food pantry?
At the majority of food pantries, eligibility is based on self-attested need. You do not need to have a referral, and income is not a factor to receive food.
4. What is the difference between a food pantry and a soup kitchen?
A food pantry provides three-day food packages to families that have a place to live, but not enough food. These packages are designed to provide nutritionally balanced meals. Soup kitchens serve individuals in need of a hot meal, the only meal of the day for many of them.
5. How does a food pantry work?
Food Banks acquire large donations of edible but unmarketable food from the food industry and distribute it to organizations that feed hungry people. Then they provide this food to family in a need.