Tuesday, September 29, 2026806 Connect

Help in the 806

Help With Rent and Utility Bills in Lubbock

Who helps pay rent, water, electric and gas bills in Lubbock County, what each program covers, what to bring, and where to get free help with an eviction.

Guide

All help guides12 resources, each checked on its official site. Last checked Sept. 29, 2026.

Start here

  1. Dial 2-1-1 any time, day or night. It is free and finds local rent and utility help.

  2. Gather papers before you call: photo ID for every adult, Social Security cards for everyone in the home, your last 30 days of income, and the bill or lease.

  3. For electric or gas bills, call Upbring Neighborhood House at 806-589-1907 about the state energy program.

  4. Call more than one place. Programs run out of money and limit how many people they take each week.

  5. Got an eviction notice? Get free legal help now through TexasLawHelp.org or 855-270-7655.

Help paying utility bills

  • Upbring Neighborhood House

    Runs the state energy assistance program (CEAP) for Lubbock, plus emergency help like food vouchers, hygiene items and prescriptions.

    Who qualifies
    Lubbock County residents. For CEAP, household income under 150% of federal poverty guidelines.
    Hours
    Mon. to Fri., 8am to 4:30pm
    Where
    6501 University Ave., Suite 504, Lubbock, TX 79413
    Official site: upbring.orgLast checked Sept. 29, 2026

  • Catholic Charities Diocese of Lubbock

    Spanish help

    Help with utility bills, plus food, clothing, hygiene items, eye exams and prescriptions. Start with the online form. Right now it accepts a limited number of forms each week.

    Who qualifies
    Decided case by case. The online form is for TXU, Reliant or Atmos Energy customers. Others should call 2-1-1.
    Where
    102 Avenue J, Lubbock, TX 79401
    Official site: cclubbock.orgLast checked Sept. 29, 2026

  • StarCare Veteran Services (VetStar)

    Utility bill help for veterans and surviving spouses.

    Who qualifies
    Veterans and surviving spouses with income at or below 80% of area median income, discharge other than dishonorable.
    Where
    Call first
    Official site: starcarelubbock.orgLast checked Sept. 29, 2026

  • City of Lubbock Utilities, Utility Assistance list

    The city’s own list of agencies that help pay city water, wastewater and trash bills, with each agency’s rules. It also notes that some places of worship help with utilities.

    Hours
    Mon. to Fri., 8am to 5pm. Outdoor payment kiosk open 24/7.
    Where
    1401 Avenue K, Lubbock, TX 79401
    Official site: mylubbock.usLast checked Sept. 29, 2026

  • Atmos Energy

    Natural gas customers can call to ask about payment arrangements. Atmos’s Sharing the Warmth donations go to local agencies that help pay gas bills.

    Where
    Call first
    Official site: atmosenergy.comLast checked Sept. 29, 2026

Help with rent

  • Lubbock County General Assistance

    Spanish help

    Pays the current month’s rent or utility bill, plus emergency groceries. It does not pay deposits, past-due amounts or phone bills, and the landlord must agree to the amount offered.

    Who qualifies
    Households with a totally disabled adult or a minor child, no income for 30 days, and at least 30 days living in Lubbock County. By appointment only.
    Hours
    Mon. to Fri., 8am to 5pm
    Where
    916 Main St., Suite 104, Lubbock, TX 79401
    Official site: lubbockcounty.govLast checked Sept. 29, 2026

  • The Salvation Army, Lubbock

    Lists rent and utility assistance, rapid rehousing, emergency shelter, and food and clothing vouchers. Call for current rules and appointments.

    Where
    1111 16th St., Lubbock, TX 79401
    Official site: southernusa.salvationarmy.orgLast checked Sept. 29, 2026

  • Lubbock Housing Authority

    Longer-term rent help: public housing, Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and a Family Self-Sufficiency program. Check whether the waiting list is open before applying.

    Who qualifies
    Low-income households. Vouchers are generally for income at or below 50% of area median income.
    Hours
    Mon. to Thu., 7am to 4pm. Fri., 7am to 11am.
    Where
    1708 Crickets Ave., Lubbock, TX 79401
    Official site: lubbockha.orgLast checked Sept. 29, 2026

  • City of Lubbock Community Development

    Manages federal and state grants that fund energy help, heating and air repairs, homelessness prevention and affordable housing through local agencies.

    Hours
    Mon. to Fri., 8am to 5pm. The door locks at 11am on Fridays; call for help.
    Where
    1708 Crickets Ave., Lubbock, TX 79401
    Official site: mylubbock.usLast checked Sept. 29, 2026

Referral and legal help

  • 2-1-1 Texas

    Spanish help

    A free referral line that finds local help for rent, utilities, food and more. The South Plains call center is in Lubbock.

    Who qualifies
    Anyone.
    Hours
    24/7
    Where
    Call first
    Official site: 211texas.orgLast checked Sept. 29, 2026

  • Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas, Lubbock office

    Free civil legal help for low-income people, including landlord and tenant problems and public benefits. Intake is by phone.

    Who qualifies
    Based on income.
    Hours
    Phone intake Mon. to Fri., 8am to 5pm
    Where
    1711 Avenue J, Lubbock, TX 79401
    Official site: legalaidtx.orgLast checked Sept. 29, 2026

  • TexasLawHelp.org eviction referral

    Free help for Texas renters facing eviction, recommended by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.

    Where
    Call first
    Official site: texaslawhelp.orgLast checked Sept. 29, 2026

Who helps pay electric and gas bills in Lubbock?

In Lubbock, the state energy assistance program (CEAP) runs through Upbring Neighborhood House. Households must earn under 150% of federal poverty guidelines. Catholic Charities also helps with utility bills case by case, but it is limiting how many forms it accepts each week. The City of Lubbock keeps a list of agencies on its Utility Assistance page.

Can I get help with rent in Lubbock County?

Lubbock County General Assistance can pay the current month’s rent or utility bill for households with a disabled adult or a minor child that have had no income for 30 days. It does not pay deposits or past-due amounts. The Salvation Army also lists rent and utility help. For longer-term help, the Lubbock Housing Authority runs public housing and Section 8 vouchers.

What should I do if I get an eviction notice?

Do not ignore it. Get free legal help right away. The Texas housing agency points renters to TexasLawHelp.org’s eviction referral or 855-270-7655. Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas has a Lubbock office and holds free walk-in legal clinics in town.

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Sources

We read each of these official pages on the date shown. Programs change, so call before you go.

  1. Upbring: Neighborhood House (checked Sept. 29, 2026)
  2. City of Lubbock: Utility Assistance (checked Sept. 29, 2026)
  3. City of Lubbock: Utilities (checked Sept. 29, 2026)
  4. Catholic Charities Diocese of Lubbock: Direct Client Assistance (checked Sept. 29, 2026)
  5. Lubbock County: General Assistance (checked Sept. 29, 2026)
  6. The Salvation Army Lubbock: What we do (checked Sept. 29, 2026)
  7. StarCare: Veteran Services (checked Sept. 29, 2026)
  8. Atmos Energy: Sharing the Warmth (checked Sept. 29, 2026)
  9. Lubbock Housing Authority: programs and contact (checked Sept. 29, 2026)
  10. City of Lubbock: Community Development (checked Sept. 29, 2026)
  11. 2-1-1 Texas (checked Sept. 29, 2026)
  12. South Plains Association of Governments: 2-1-1 Texas (checked Sept. 29, 2026)
  13. TDHCA: Help for Texans (checked Sept. 29, 2026)
  14. Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas: Lubbock (checked Sept. 29, 2026)