Programs
Find Help
Caritas helps families, individuals, and veterans in need through emergency services and case management programs.
Make A Donation
Caritas is able to provide hope to those in need, due to the generosity of community partners and donors like you. Before the pandemic, 26% of Waco families were living in poverty and unable to meet basic needs. Now, during this unprecedented time, more families than ever before, are needing assistance. Your support helps us provide people with not only hope, but food and other emergency services, and the case management resources needed to help them begin their journey out of poverty. Thank you for donating today to support our mission.
To make a donation by mail, please send a check or money order made payable to Caritas of Waco to: 300 South 15th Street, Waco, TX 76701.

Federal Benefits

SNAP, MEDICAID, CHIP, TANF, AND THE MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAM

Caritas of Waco serves as the largest provider in McLennan County of personalized enrollment assistance for state/federal programs. Clients are guided through the application process with one-on-one assistance with a Federal Benefits Specialist who can set up the applicants with an online account of help apply with a paper application.

Federal Benefits Specialist available: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Walk-ins welcome, but appointments preferred.  Assistance is available in both English and Spanish.

To make an appointment, contact Benita Tovar at 254-753-4593, ext., 228, or btovar@caritas-waco.org.

 

Clients can apply for:

  • SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
    • Provides nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of needy families so they can purchase healthy food and move towards self-sufficiency.
    • To get SNAP benefits, you must apply in the state in which you currently live and you must meet certain requirements, including resource and income limits.
  • TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
    • Assists families with children when the parents or other responsible relatives cannot provide for the family’s basic needs.
    • To be eligible for this benefit program, applicants must be a resident of the state in which they apply, and a U.S. citizen, legal alien or qualified alien. You must be unemployed or underemployed and have low or very low income. You must also be one of the following: Have a child 18 years of age or younger, or be pregnant, or be 18 years of age or younger and the head of your household.
  • Medicare & Medicaid for Seniors 
    • Medicare provides health care coverage for Americans age 65 and older, as well as those who live with a disability. Medicaid, however, covers Americans with limited income. Seniors who are 65 and older and meet the limited income requirements may be dually covered by both programs.
  • Medicaid for Children 
    • Health coverage for low-income children.
    • Child must be age 18 and younger (in some cases children with disabilities age 19 and 20 can get Medicaid). Child must also be a Texas resident and a U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen.
  • Medicaid for Parents and Caretakers
    • Health coverage for low-income parents and caretakers.
    • You must be a related caretaker for a child who has Medicaid. The child must live with you and be age 17 or younger or age 18 and attending school full time. You must also meet the income guidelines.
  • CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program)
    • Low-cost health coverage for children from birth through age 18. CHIP is designed for families who earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford to buy private health coverage.
    • The number of children you have and the amount you earn determines if your children can get CHIP.
Documents Needed for Federal Benefits Enrollment:
    • Picture ID
    • Social Security Number
    • Proof of Income
    • Utility Bills
    • Medical Information

Making A Difference Together

"I had reached out to another local agency for help and it was over 30 days before I heard back from them. I was able to connect with a Caritas case manager the day I called and she answered all of my questions immediately…it was amazing what Caritas was able to do for my family. I have never needed help like this before. It's hopeful to have an organization that didn’t make me feel bad about the situation I was in."

Caritas Client

Copyright © Caritas of Waco. All rights reserved.
300 South 15th St., Waco, Texas 76701
(254) 753-4593