Help & Resources in River Oaks, TX

Crisis counseling by phone, text or chat. English and Spanish. No appointment needed — available 24 hours every day.

For mental-health or substance-use crises that need more than a phone call. Includes mobile crisis outreach team for Tarrant County residents.

24/7 crisis hotline, safety planning, emergency shelter, counseling, and legal advocacy for survivors of domestic violence. Shelter address is confidential for safety. Bilingual advocacy available. Serves Tarrant County including River Oaks.

Every River Oaks firefighter is also EMS-certified — as an Emergency Care Attendant, EMT, or Paramedic. They respond to heart attacks, breathing emergencies, strokes, injuries, and overdoses 24 hours a day. You do not need a fire to call them. If it's a medical emergency, call 911.

The River Oaks Fire Department has partnered with the American Red Cross to provide and install free smoke alarms for residents who need them. Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half. To be eligible, you must own your home or be in the process of buying it. Contact the station by phone or email to request an installation.

Leftover prescription medications in the trash or down the drain are a leading source of accidental poisonings and addiction. The ROFD participates in the Single Use Disposal System (SUDS) — a program developed with the University of Houston. Free prepaid mailing envelopes let you safely send unused or expired medications to a certified disposal facility at no cost to you. Pick up an envelope anytime at the station lobby — no appointment needed.

If a fire starts in your home, you may have as little as two minutes to escape. The ROFD publishes free fire-prevention and home-safety tips — including escape planning, kitchen and heating safety, and smoke alarm placement — at their website. If you have questions or want a firefighter to walk through fire safety with a group, call the non-emergency line.

Call before going — hours can vary month to month.

A second-Saturday mobile distribution has been reported at this location — call ahead to confirm current schedule before visiting on a Saturday.

Home-delivered meals for people who are homebound and cannot prepare their own food. No age or income requirement. Voluntary contribution only — inability to pay does not affect eligibility.

Use the online "Find Food" locator at tafb.org to find other pantry hours in Tarrant County. Call the pantry before traveling — eligibility and hours vary by location.

Low-cost resale shop for clothing and household items. Proceeds fund ministry scholarships. Free assistance available for families in need — just ask a volunteer.

Serves uninsured and underinsured patients. Sliding-fee discount based on income and family size. Services include sick visits, physicals, vaccines, pediatric care, women's health, lab, pharmacy, vision, and behavioral-health counseling. English/Spanish. Same-day appointments may be available.

Pediatric primary care for children — immunizations, physicals, sick visits. Ask about insurance, Medicaid, or CHIP when scheduling.

Women's health services through JPS Health Network. Call ahead — eligibility and insurance rules vary.

WIC provides nutrition support for pregnant/postpartum women and young children who meet income guidelines. Call first — no WIC office was confirmed inside River Oaks; staff will direct you to the nearest clinic.

JPS is Tarrant County's public health system. The JPS Connection program helps uninsured Tarrant County residents — including River Oaks — get primary care, specialist visits, and prescriptions at greatly reduced cost based on income. This is not automatically free care, but costs can be very low for households below roughly 250% of the federal poverty level.

Benefits navigation: JPS community resource specialists can help you apply for SNAP, Medicaid, CHIP, TANF, and other public benefits — free of charge.

Senior food boxes: JPS identifies a USDA Senior Food Box program for income-qualified adults 60 and older. Ask a JPS community resource specialist for details.

Financial assistance: Texas Health has a formal charity-care program. Patients at or below roughly 250% of the federal poverty level may qualify for substantial help with their bills — possibly reducing them to little or nothing. Circumstances above that level may also be considered. Always ask about financial assistance before or after any visit.

Free community programs: Texas Health's Community Health Ministry offers free health education, support programs for new mothers, fall-prevention classes for older adults (Stay Active & Independent for Life, Matter of Balance), and free health-information assistance in English and Spanish. Class schedules change — call or check their website for current offerings.

NTACHC is a Federally Qualified Health Center — FQHCs are required to offer dental services. Call to confirm dental appointment availability and current wait times. Fees are on a sliding scale based on income; no one is turned away for inability to pay. Spanish-speaking staff available.

Completely free general dentistry for uninsured adults in Tarrant County. Services include exams, cleanings, extractions, root canals, bridges, and partials. Does not provide implants, cosmetic dentistry, or orthodontics. No walk-ins or same-day appointments — application and certification required before the first visit. Apply in person at their offices.

Demand is high — the clinic periodically accepts applications in limited batches. Call before going to confirm the current enrollment window.

High-quality dental care at reduced rates with flexible payment options. Part of Catholic Charities Fort Worth's mission to increase dental access in the community. Call for current address, services offered, and appointment availability — this is not a free clinic but is significantly more affordable than market-rate dental care.

2026 income limits: up to $23,940 for one person · $32,460 for a couple. People already on Medicaid, SSI, or a Medicare Savings Program may qualify automatically.

If approved: Part D premium $0 · deductible $0 · generics up to $5.10 · brand drugs up to $12.65 per fill. After total drug costs reach $2,100 in the year, covered medications drop to $0 for the rest of that year.

Free enrollment help: ADRC (855-937-2372, see Senior & Disability Services above) guides seniors through the Extra Help application at no charge.

If you are pregnant with limited income or no affordable insurance, you may qualify for Medicaid that covers doctors and prescriptions. Coverage continues through the 12th month after the pregnancy ends — do not assume Medicaid stops at delivery.

Healthy Texas Women (HTW) — for low-income women who are NOT currently pregnant: HTW covers women's health and family-planning services including medications. As of July 1, 2026, HTW covers Medicaid-eligible drugs within women's health categories. HTW is not full Medicaid and is not a substitute for pregnancy coverage. Apply at yourtexasbenefits.com.

JPS Northwest Health Center for Women (817-702-6500) is the closest local starting point for pregnant and recently postpartum women — see Healthcare above.

The exact drug name determines which program applies. You don't apply for 'free prescriptions' in general — you apply for help with the specific medication your doctor prescribed. Income limits vary, generally 200%–500% of the federal poverty level depending on the drug and manufacturer.

Major manufacturers with active programs (verify current eligibility before applying):

Bring your medication bottle or prescription + insurance card to a volunteer at River Oaks UMC. We can help identify the right program and assist with the application.

For patients who have health insurance but still cannot afford copays, coinsurance, deductibles, or premiums for specific diseases. Grants generally require income up to 500% FPL. Funds for specific diseases open and close depending on donations — this is not a guaranteed program, but worth checking if other options have been exhausted.

THMP provides prescription medication assistance for low-income Texans with HIV who are uninsured or underinsured. Participating pharmacies do not charge the patient for covered THMP medications.

TIAP-PLUS — for qualifying people with HIV who have eligible insurance: covers premiums, prescription deductibles, and copays. After insurance is billed, the remaining medication balance is covered — the patient pays $0 at the pharmacy. Notably, TIAP-PLUS can cover eligible prescription costs beyond HIV-specific drugs.

All drugs used to treat tuberculosis are provided without charge to the patient through the Texas DSHS TB program. Clinical visits use a sliding fee scale and no one is turned away for inability to pay.

Screening, referral and treatment for alcohol and drug use. Self-referral accepted. Call the OSAR line to begin; inability to pay does not prevent initial screening.

Behavioral health counseling integrated with NTACHC's community health center. Individual, family and group options. In-person, phone or video. Same sliding-fee discount as primary care.

Find local AA meetings, peer recovery support, or help locating today's meeting. No dues or fees to attend.

Handles Tarrant County rent and utility shutoff assistance (transferred from the county Nov. 2025). Begin by phone or online intake. Bring proof of identity, residency, lease or bill, and amount owed.

Apply online for food benefits (SNAP), health coverage (Medicaid/CHIP) and cash assistance (TANF). No office visit required to start. English and Spanish.

River Oaks residents are eligible for CAP programs — you do not need a Fort Worth address. English and Spanish services available.

Utility assistance: Help with electric, natural gas, and propane bills for qualifying households.

Free home weatherization: Qualifying homeowners may receive insulation, air sealing, duct improvements, HVAC repair or replacement, and energy-related repairs — at no cost. If your electric bill is unaffordable or your AC is failing, ask about this program.

Employment & education (EnCAP): GED, ESL, occupational certifications, apprenticeships, and job training. Enrolled clients may receive books, uniforms, laptops, tools, and transportation assistance to complete training.

Case management: Financial stability planning and connection to other services.

⚠ As of August 2026: emergency rental assistance and water utility assistance are currently unavailable — funding is exhausted. Call before visiting for current program availability.

Free federal tax return preparation for households earning up to ~$69,000. IRS-certified volunteers. Available during tax season at multiple sites — check website for the nearest location. Bilingual volunteers available at some sites.

Retirement, disability (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and survivor benefits. Many matters can be started by phone or online; use ssa.gov for the current local office location.

Free navigation for adults 60+, people with disabilities, and caregivers. Covers Medicare/Medicaid counseling, prescription benefits, long-term care, affordable housing, home modifications, small medical equipment, caregiver support, and veterans referrals. The single best starting point if you don't know which program applies.

Accessible demand-responsive transportation for people whose disability prevents use of regular bus service. Eligibility certification required before scheduling rides. Note: regular Trinity Metro fixed-route bus stops inside River Oaks ended in March 2024 — only ACCESS paratransit continues to serve River Oaks.

25% off all full-price items (clothing, shoes, furniture, household goods, and more). One of the strongest senior discounts in the area — especially valuable for everyday necessities.

10% off, including many sale items — one of the few senior discounts that applies daily, not just on Tuesdays.

Early Head Start (children under 3) and Head Start (ages 3–5). Qualifying households include those receiving SNAP, TANF, SSI, or experiencing homelessness or foster care. Application/enrollment required.

All Castleberry ISD campuses provide free breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student under the Community Eligibility Provision. No household application required.

Free adult education including GED/high-school equivalency preparation, basic reading and math, English-language learning, and career-readiness pathways. Classes may be at multiple locations — call for the nearest option or ask about remote/online.

Job-search help, employer connections, résumé development, interview coaching, and funding for qualifying job-training programs. Virtual and in-person services available. Call for the current nearest workforce center.

Public library and community information hub. Good starting point for accessing computers, community notices, and asking about current local programs.

Call ahead to confirm today's hours.

Food pantry: Wednesdays 9–11 AM and 2–4 PM.

Daily meals: Hot meals provided daily for people experiencing homelessness.

Emergency family shelter: Year-round emergency shelter for families. Available to people throughout North Texas — not restricted to Fort Worth residents.

Homelessness prevention: The Home Sweet Home program provides case management, financial education, budgeting support, and short-term financial assistance to help households stay housed and become financially stable.

Veterans: Housing and support programs for veterans, including services for chronically homeless veterans with disabilities.

Extreme weather shelter: Cooling and warming services are activated based on weather conditions — not daily. Call before visiting or check with 2-1-1 to confirm current activation.

Immigration attorneys and accredited representatives for legal screening, representation, family reunification and reapplication for benefits. Fees depend on service — ask at intake.

Low-cost immigration legal services. Appointment-based.

Free civil legal services for low-income residents: housing/eviction, family law, consumer issues, public benefits and other qualifying noncriminal matters. Phone intake is the correct starting point — no local River Oaks office.

Free plain-language guides, forms and legal information on eviction, benefits, family matters, court fee waivers and more. English and Spanish. Good starting point before calling an attorney.

Community Programs:

Victory Home for Men and Victory Home for Women — free, faith-based residential recovery for substance abuse. The 6-month program includes individual counseling, behavioral guidance, spiritual support, and daily meals. Call for enrollment availability.

Community Programs:

Transition Ministry Outreach — every other Saturday, volunteers go out distributing clothing and food to people in need. Call to confirm the current Saturday's schedule.

Community Programs:

Periodic free bread and food giveaways for the community. Dates are announced on social media rather than a fixed schedule — call or check their Facebook page before sending someone.

Community Programs:

Wednesday Family Night open to all — free community meal at 5:30 PM followed by age-appropriate classes for children, students, and adults at 6:15 PM. Weekly, year-round.

Community Programs:

Sponsors Lake Como Community of Hope Inc. — a separately registered nonprofit operating an assisted living and senior care facility. Call for current services, availability, and eligibility.

Day and overnight camps, outdoor and equestrian programs for children and youth. Financial assistance available for qualifying families. Registration required.

City community events, programs and facility rentals. Check the city calendar for upcoming public activities.