Last updated: June 19, 2026
Urgent help in Texas
If you or your children are in immediate danger, call 911 from a safer phone if you can. Say where you are first. If talking could put you at more risk, tell the dispatcher what is safe for you to say.
For domestic violence support any time, call the Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233, TTY 800-787-3224, text START to 88788, or use online chat. Texas HHS points survivors to this hotline for crisis support, safety planning, and referrals to local shelters and resources in Texas.
Safety note: Phone, email, browser, location, cloud photos, and app use can be monitored. Use a safer device if possible.
Bottom line
Texas has help for single mothers facing domestic violence, family violence, dating violence, stalking, sexual assault, human trafficking, or threats. Help can include shelter, advocacy, legal aid, protective orders, lease help, benefits, child care, address privacy, and crime-victim support.
Start with the hotline above, the family violence program, the Texas shelter map, or the TCFV service finder. For food, rent, utility, health, and local nonprofit referrals, use 2-1-1 Texas, call 2-1-1, or call 877-541-7905.
This guide is general information only. It is not legal advice, medical advice, or a personal safety plan. If you are unsure what is safest, talk with a local domestic violence advocate or a licensed Texas attorney before taking steps that could alert the other person. For national help paths, see ASMOM’s DV safety guide.
Where to start if everything feels urgent
You do not have to fix every problem today. Pick the safest next step. If using your own phone or computer is not safe, ask a trusted person, advocate, school, clinic, library, or agency to help you contact services.
You need to leave tonight
Call 911 if danger is immediate. If you can safely call an advocate, ask about shelter, transportation, children, pets, medicine, documents, school pickup, and safer contact.
You need court protection
Ask a shelter advocate, county attorney, district attorney, legal aid office, or court about protective order options. You may not have to handle the court process alone.
You need food or benefits
Apply through Your Texas Benefits. If child support cooperation could put you or your children at risk, ask about family violence good cause.
You need local backup
Ask 2-1-1 for nearby shelter, food, rent, legal, child care, transportation, and utility referrals. Ask for more than one option in case the first program is full.
For a broader list of help by need, keep the Texas resource hub and the Texas help guide open only if it is safe to do so.
Quick reference table
| Need | Start here | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate danger | 911 | Ask for emergency help and say whether children are with you. |
| Domestic violence hotline | 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788 | Ask for Texas shelter, safety planning, and local referrals. |
| Local shelter or advocacy | HHSC map or TCFV finder | Ask what services are available even if shelter is full. |
| Protective order | County attorney, district attorney, court, or legal aid | Ask which protective order path fits your situation. |
| Food, medical, or cash benefits | Your Texas Benefits | Ask about SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, CHIP, and good cause. |
| Rent, utilities, or local aid | 2-1-1 Texas | Ask for survivor help and emergency housing referrals. |
Shelter, advocacy, and local Texas help
Family violence programs may offer emergency shelter, safety planning, advocacy, counseling, help with protective orders, referrals, and support for children. Texas HHS says its Family Violence Program helps adult and child victims of family violence and teen dating violence. Use the hotline or local provider paths for immediate help.
Use the Texas HHS shelter map and the TCFV finder to look for programs. Shelter addresses may not be public for safety reasons. If one program has no bed, ask for nearby programs, nonresidential services, transportation ideas, pet options, or a warm referral.
Ask before you leave
You can call an advocate to talk through options, legal steps, child safety, documents, technology concerns, and safe housing. Calling does not mean you must enter shelter or file a police report that day.
For local non-shelter help, ASMOM’s Texas community support guide may help you find food, utility, transportation, church, nonprofit, and county resources near you.
Protective orders in Texas
A protective order is a civil court order that can help protect someone from a person who has been violent or threatened violence. Texas has different types of orders, and the right path can depend on the facts, whether there was an arrest, and what county or court process applies.
Start with Texas protective orders or the official Texas court forms. A local advocate, county attorney, district attorney, or legal aid office may help you understand where to file. The Family Violence Legal Line is 800-374-HOPE for free legal help by phone during posted hours.
Protective orders can have serious legal effects. They can affect contact, housing, firearms, child-related arrangements, and future court cases. Talk with a Texas lawyer or legal aid office when you can, especially if the other person may fight the order or if custody is involved.
For related civil legal resources, use ASMOM’s Texas legal help guide.
Housing, lease, and address safety help
If you need a safe place, start with a family violence advocate before making housing moves that could increase danger. Texas shelter programs may help you look at emergency shelter, transitional housing, local rent help, or a move to another county.
Texas law may allow some tenants affected by family violence to end a lease early if legal requirements are met. The rules can depend on notices, proof, timing, and your exact situation. Read the TexasLawHelp lease rights guide and talk to legal aid before giving notice if you are unsure.
If you live in public housing, Section 8, or another HUD-covered program, federal VAWA housing protections may help with emergency transfers, denial, eviction, or lease issues related to abuse. HUD’s HUD Form 5382 is one common self-certification form, but ask the housing provider or a legal advocate which form or proof they require.
Texas also has an address privacy program for some survivors. It can provide a substitute mailing address and mail forwarding. It is one safety tool, not witness protection or a guarantee of safety.
For more rent and housing paths, use Texas housing help and Texas emergency help.
Money, food, medical, and benefit help after abuse
Leaving violence can mean losing access to money, a car, child care, medicine, documents, or housing. Start with programs that can connect to several needs at once. Use Your Texas Benefits to apply for SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, CHIP, and other help. If using your own device is unsafe, ask an advocate or community partner for help.
| Help path | What it may help with | Reality check |
|---|---|---|
| Crime Victims Compensation | Some crime-related costs, such as medical care, counseling, child care, lost wages, or relocation. | You may need an eligibility review, documents, and proof tied to the crime. |
| SNAP | Food benefits on a Lone Star Card for eligible households. | Ask about expedited processing if you have little cash or food. |
| TANF | Cash help for some very low-income families with children. | Texas TANF is limited and has work and cooperation rules. |
| Medicaid and CHIP | Health coverage for eligible children, pregnant women, parents, and some adults. | Adult eligibility is limited in Texas. Children may qualify even if a parent does not. |
| 2-1-1 and nonprofits | Food pantries, rent, utilities, transportation, diapers, and local crisis help. | Funds can run out. Ask for several referrals, not just one. |
Texas HHS says good cause rules can allow people to access benefits safely by exempting them from some child support and medical support cooperation requirements. Ask about good cause if child support cooperation could create danger.
For more detail, see Texas SNAP help, Texas TANF help, and Texas WIC help.
Children, school, child care, and work
If your children are with you, ask the advocate about school, transportation, records, child care, and safe communication with teachers. If a child is in immediate danger, call 911. To report suspected abuse or neglect in Texas, use the Texas Abuse Hotline at 800-252-5400 or the online reporting system for non-emergencies.
Child care can be one of the biggest barriers when you are trying to work, go to court, attend counseling, or apply for benefits. Texas Child Care Services offers child care scholarships through local workforce boards so eligible parents can work, search for work, attend school, or train for a job. Availability and waitlists vary by local Workforce Solutions board.
If child support is part of the problem, tell any worker or lawyer about safety concerns before filing or sharing an address. Use ASMOM’s Texas child support guide and Texas child care guide for related next steps.
Legal help for protection, custody, housing, and benefits
Legal aid may help with protective orders, custody questions, divorce, housing, public benefits, or other civil legal issues tied to abuse. Each program has its own income rules, county service area, priorities, and capacity.
Texas Advocacy Project offers legal phone lines for survivors of dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking. The Hope Line is 800-374-HOPE. TexasLawHelp also provides forms and self-help information.
If a legal aid office cannot take your case, ask for brief advice, a clinic, a referral, court self-help forms, or hearing preparation. If you have a hearing date, say the date at the start of the call.
Crime victim compensation
The Texas Attorney General’s Crime Victims Compensation program may help with some crime-related costs if you meet program rules. Possible costs can include medical care, counseling, loss of earnings or support, child care, travel for certain appointments, and relocation costs in some cases.
The OAG also has a relocation cost page for victims who need help getting out of an unsafe home. Compensation is not guaranteed, and the program may be a last-resort payer. Keep receipts, bills, police report information, lease papers, advocate notes, and court papers if you can safely access them.
Documents and information checklist
Do not risk your safety to collect papers. If you cannot safely get documents, tell the advocate, benefits office, court, or legal aid worker what is missing. For a broader paperwork list, use ASMOM’s documents checklist.
| Item | Why it may help | If you do not have it |
|---|---|---|
| ID for you and children | Benefits, shelter intake, school, court, housing, medical care. | Ask if a copy, school record, birth record, or advocate letter can help. |
| Proof of income | SNAP, TANF, child care, Medicaid, rent help. | Ask whether pay stubs, employer letters, app screenshots, or a statement are accepted. |
| Lease or housing papers | Lease help, VAWA housing, address changes, rent aid. | Ask the landlord, housing authority, or legal aid how to get a copy safely. |
| Police, medical, or court papers | Protective orders, compensation, lease rights, workplace or school safety. | Ask an advocate how to request records without alerting the other person. |
| Benefit notices | Appeals, delays, missing documents, case updates. | Check Your Texas Benefits or ask 2-1-1 for an HHSC office referral. |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Relying on one phone call. If a shelter is full or a fund is out, ask for other programs and a warm referral.
- Posting your plan online. Social media, shared devices, cloud photos, and location apps can create safety risks.
- Assuming benefits require unsafe child support action. Ask HHSC about family violence good cause if cooperation could put you at risk.
- Waiting to ask about deadlines. Protective orders, lease steps, appeals, compensation, and benefits can all depend on timing.
- Ignoring mail from agencies. If you moved, ask how to update your address safely.
- Trying to carry every problem alone. Ask an advocate to help you sort the safest order for calls, forms, school, and housing.
If you are denied, delayed, ignored, or overwhelmed
If a program says no, ask why in plain words. Ask whether the problem is eligibility, missing documents, no funding, a waitlist, a local rule, or a safety concern. Then ask what to try next.
For benefits, keep copies or screenshots of notices, upload confirmations, and messages. If you miss a deadline because of safety, homelessness, hospital care, or lack of mail, tell the agency and ask whether you can still submit proof or appeal. ASMOM’s benefits problem guide can help you organize notices and next calls.
For legal issues, ask the local domestic violence program, TexasLawHelp, legal aid, or a court self-help office for next steps. If you are in subsidized housing and a provider ignores VAWA protections, ask for the denial in writing and contact legal aid quickly.
If bills are the immediate problem, review Texas utility help while you also work with an advocate or 2-1-1 on safety-related housing needs.
Phone scripts you can use
Use these only when it is safe to call, text, or leave messages. If it is not safe, ask an advocate about safer contact.
Calling a domestic violence advocate
“Hi, I am a single mother in Texas and I am not safe at home. I need to talk through shelter, safety planning, my children, and legal options. I need to know what help is available today and what I should not do if my phone may be monitored.”
Calling 2-1-1
“I am a single mother dealing with family violence. I need local referrals for shelter, food, rent or utility help, transportation, and legal aid. Please give me more than one option in case the first program is full.”
Calling HHSC about benefits
“I need to apply for SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, or CHIP. I am worried that child support cooperation may put me or my children in danger. Can you explain the family violence good cause option and what form or proof is needed?”
Calling legal aid or court
“I need help understanding protective orders in Texas. There has been family violence or threats, and children may be involved. Can you tell me where to apply, what forms are used, and whether an advocate or lawyer can help me?”
Resumen en español
Si usted o sus hijos están en peligro inmediato en Texas, llame al 911. Para ayuda por violencia doméstica las 24 horas, llame al 800-799-7233, TTY 800-787-3224, envíe START al 88788, o use el chat de la línea nacional.
Puede buscar refugio y apoyo por medio de Texas HHS, Texas Council on Family Violence, o 2-1-1 Texas. Si necesita comida, Medicaid, TANF o CHIP, use Your Texas Benefits y pregunte por “good cause” si cooperar con child support puede ser peligroso.
Esta guía es información general. No es consejo legal ni un plan de seguridad personal. Para ayuda con una orden de protección, vivienda, custodia o beneficios, hable con una defensora, legal aid, o un abogado de Texas.
Questions single mothers ask in Texas
What should I do first if I am not safe?
Call 911 if danger is immediate. If you can safely contact an advocate, call 800-799-7233, text START to 88788, or use chat through the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Ask for Texas shelter, safety planning, and local referrals.
Can I call a shelter even if I am not ready to leave?
Yes. You can ask a domestic violence advocate about options, documents, legal help, child safety, and safer communication even if you are not ready to enter shelter.
Can I get a protective order in Texas?
You may be able to ask for a protective order if you experienced family violence, dating violence, stalking, sexual assault, or threats. The right process depends on your facts and local court rules.
Can I break my lease because of family violence?
Texas law may allow some survivors to end a lease early if legal requirements are met. Read TexasLawHelp’s lease guide and talk with legal aid or an advocate before sending notice.
What if benefits require child support cooperation?
Ask HHSC about family violence good cause. Texas rules allow good cause in some situations so a person can access benefits safely without cooperating with child or medical support requirements that could create danger.
Can I get help with child care after leaving abuse?
Possibly. Texas Child Care Services scholarships may help eligible parents work, look for work, go to school, or attend job training. Availability, waitlists, and rules vary by local Workforce Solutions board.
Can Crime Victims Compensation pay relocation costs?
It may help with some crime-related relocation and rent costs if you meet program rules. Check the Texas Attorney General’s current information and ask an advocate for help with the application.
What if a program is full or says no?
Ask why, ask for the reason in writing if possible, and ask for a warm referral to another program. Try 2-1-1, nearby counties, legal aid, and the TCFV service finder for backup options.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified June 19, 2026, next review September 19, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.