Community Action Partners

Announcements 

Community Action Partners (CAP) will resume accepting applications for utility bill payment assistance on February 3, 2025, on a first-come, first-served basis. Vulnerable populations, such as individuals aged 60 and above, those with disabilities, and those with children under five years of age, will be given higher priority.  All applicants must apply online using Neighborly Software.  Link will be available on this page on February 2025 under Request CAP Services.

No paper applications be available online, or at CAP Centers.  CAP will organize scheduled outreach intake sessions throughout the year and will post the schedules closer to the event times on our website and social media platforms.

Your Community Action Agency for Tarrant County

Community Action Partners (CAP) serves as your Tarrant County Community Action Agency (CAA).  Community Action Agencies are local organizations that provide a wide range of services to support low-income individuals and families. Their primary goal is to reduce poverty, increase self-sufficiency, and improve the quality of life for disadvantaged communities. 

• Energy Assistance: They help with utility bills, provide weatherization services, and offer programs to improve energy efficiency in homes.
• Housing Assistance: CAAs assist with rental and mortgage payments, provide emergency shelter, and offer housing counseling.
• Employment Services: They offer job training, resume writing, job search assistance, and other services to help people find and maintain employment.
• Financial Education: CAAs provide budgeting, credit counseling, and financial literacy programs to help individuals manage their finances.
  Community Development: CAAs work on broader community improvement projects, including infrastructure development, neighborhood revitalization, and advocacy for social policies that benefit low-income populations.
• Emergency Services: In times of crisis, CAAs offer immediate assistance, such as food, shelter, and financial aid, to help individuals and families in need.

Overall, Community Action Agencies are a vital resource for helping vulnerable populations achieve economic stability and improve their overall well-being.

Eligibility

 Be prepared to submit the following documents online for yourself and everyone in the household aged 18 and above:

• Must live in Tarrant County.
• Income is an eligibility factor for all assistance.
• Must be the account holder or authorized user on account if requesting utility assistance.
• Must be the primary lease or mortgage holder if requesting rental or mortgage assistance.
• Proof of income required for ALL household members over 18.

Documents Required

Be prepared to have the following documents scanned and ready for online processing for yourself and all household members aged 18 and above.

•   A Texas driver’s license or a student ID issued by the government.

•   Proof of income for all household members aged 18 and above in the past 30 days. This can include recent pay stubs, award letters, SSI pension letters, or any other relevant documents. If no income is available, use the Declaration of Income Form.

•   Benefit verification letters, such as Social Security award letters, TANF letters, SSI letters, and other benefits received in the past year.

•   A copy of your most recent utility bill, showing the company’s letterhead, account number, and the payment due date.

•   Proof of U.S. legal residency for all household members aged 18 and above. This can include Social Security cards, passports, birth certificates, or green cards.

Locations

Questions & Answers

1. What is the Community Action Partners (CAP) program?

The CAP program serves as Tarrant County’s Community Action Agency, helping economically disadvantaged individuals, families, and older adults. Services include energy, housing, financial, and employment assistance.

2. What types of assistance does CAP offer?

CAP provides assistance with:

• Utility bills and weatherization.
• Rental/mortgage payments and housing counseling.
• Job training and employment services.
• Financial literacy and budgeting.
• Emergency resources such as food and shelter.

3. Who is eligible to apply for CAP services?

To qualify, applicants must:

• Live in Tarrant County.
• Meet income eligibility requirements.
• Be the account holder or authorized user for utility assistance or the leaseholder for rental/mortgage assistance.
• Additionally, proof of income is required for all household members over 18.

4. What documents do I need to apply?

You will need to provide:

• A driver’s license or government-issued photo ID.
• Proof of income for household members over 18 (e.g., pay stubs, SSI letters).
• Benefit verification letters (e.g., Social Security, TANF).
• A recent utility bill.
• Proof of U.S. residency status for household members 18 and older.

5. How do I apply for assistance?

Applications must be submitted online through the Neighborly Software platform, Walk-in and paper applications will not be accepted in 2025.

6. When does the application period open?

The application period opens on  February 3, 2025. Services are provided on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to vulnerable populations such as seniors, individuals with disabilities, and families with young children. The link to the application will be on this page.

7. Will there be community intake sessions in 2025?

CAP will organize scheduled outreach intake sessions throughout the year and will post the schedules closer to the event times on our website and social media platforms.

8. Where are CAP centers located?

CAP services are available at several community centers across Tarrant County.  Locations include:

• Como Community Center, 

• Worth Heights Community Center, 

• Northside Community Center, 

• Andrew "Doc"Sessions Community Center,  

• North-Tri Ethnic Community Center, 

• New Fort Worth City Hall and 

• Arlington CAP Center

• For a directions, visit the CAP Center Locations section.

9. What happens after I submit my application?

Once submitted online, your application will be reviewed for eligibility, and you will be contacted if additional documentation or information is needed.

10. How can I stay updated on CAP services?

Subscribe to the Fort Worth City News and follow CAP on social media platforms such as Facebook and YouTube.

Leadership

Michelle Doonkeen, LCSW

Assistant Director - Neighborhood Services

• MSW from Howard University
• BA from UT Austin

Doonkeen brings more than 20 years' experience working at ACH Child and Family Services in a variety of leadership positions. Her career focus has centered around community services, counseling/therapy, crisis intervention services, leadership, homelessness, trauma, research, and children and families. Prior to ACH, she held positions in research at a non-profit and a university.

Vision Statement

To change people’s lives, embody the spirit of hope, improve communities and make Tarrant County a better place to live.