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(CSBG Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funds provide assistance to states and local communities, working through a network of community action agencies and other neighborhood-based organizations for the reduction of poverty, the revitalization of low-income communities, and the empowerment of low-income families and individuals in rural and urban areas to become fully self-sufficient (particularly families who are attempting to transition off a state program carried out under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act.) CSBG funds may be used for administrative support and/or for direct services such as: education, employment, housing, health care, nutrition, transportation, and linkages with other service providers, youth programs, emergency services, i.e., utilities, food, shelter, clothing, etc.

COUNTIES SERVED:  Harrison, Jasper, Newton, Panola, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, Tyler, and Upshur.

The primary intent of Comprehensive Energy Assistance (CEAP) is to make funds available to enable an agency to respond to energy needs affecting low-income households in the agency’s service area.  In order for a household to receive assistance through CEAP, the household must have a gross annual income less than 150% of the current Poverty Income Guidelines.  The agency should give priority to those with the highest home energy needs, meaning low income households with high residential energy usage, a high energy burden and/or the presence of a "vulnerable" individual in the household, such as a child age 5 and younger, disabled person, or an elderly individual. CEAP services include: energy education, utility payment assistance, repair of existing heating and cooling units, and crisis-related purchase of portable heating and cooling units.

The following assistance programs are available through CEAP:

A. Crisis Assistance: Crisis Assistance can be provided to persons who have already lost service or are in immediate danger of losing service only under one of these listed conditions (1) Extreme Weather Conditions, (2) Disaster or (3) Life Threatening Crisis.

B. Utility Assistance:  TCCA may make utility payments on behalf of households based on the previous twelve (12) month's home energy billing history, including allowances for cost inflation. If a twelve (12) month home energy billing history is unavailable, TCCA may base payments on current program year's Alternative Billing Method (ABM). Benefit amounts exceeding the actual bill shall be treated as a credit for the client with the utility company.  Households that include at least one member that is elderly, disabled or has a child age 5 or younger may receive benefits to cover up to the maximum benefit level for that household.  Non-Vulnerable Population Households can receive benefits to cover up to six remaining bills within the Program Year as long as the cost does not exceed the maximum annual benefit for the Utility Assistance Component. The first bill payment may cover two separate fuel sources.  All payments are based on funding availability.