Texoma Council of Governments (TCOG) · utilities & aging support

Status: V · Verified · October 2026

Address / service area: 1117 Gallagher Drive, Suite 200, Sherman, TX 75090. Aging services: Cooke, Fannin and Grayson counties. Utility service area varies; ask about your county.

Contact: 903-893-2161 · Utility assistance: ext. 3541, energyapp@tcog.com (questions only; applications are not accepted by email) · Aging: 903-813-3505 · Utility assistance and application · Aging services · Office contact and hours

Hours: Monday–Thursday 8 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Energy Services closed Fridays; major holidays closed. Utility clients are seen by appointment.

Services / eligibility: Utility co-payments and weatherization for income-eligible households. Aging support includes benefits counseling, caregiver support and nutrition connections for older adults and people with disabilities; individual program rules vary.

Intake / documents: Utility waitlist: download the current packet, then mail or drop it off at the Sherman address. The waitlist instructions exclude online, email and fax submission, although the FAQ mentions online applications; call 903-893-2161 ext. 3541 to confirm. Follow the packet’s income, bill, identity and citizenship checklist. Aging: call for next steps.

Fees / limits: Assistance depends on eligibility and funds. Utility aid is not emergency assistance; processing may take about eight weeks. Applicants remain responsible for bills and fees. Aging-service costs and documents vary; ask before arranging services.

What to know before going: Request an appointment first. If shutoff is imminent, contact your utility about an extension. Cooke County appears in one utility service-area list but is omitted from another; call to confirm. No dated Medicare appointment availability is promised.

Last researched / verified: October 6, 2026 · official public sources reviewed online.

TSAHC — Home Sweet Texas Home Loan Program

Status: V · Verified · October 2026

Services: Fixed-rate mortgages paired with down payment and closing-cost assistance for eligible low- and moderate-income Texas home buyers. Assistance may be up to 5% of the loan amount, as a grant or a three-year forgivable second lien, subject to the selected loan’s terms.

Eligibility: First-time and repeat buyers may qualify. Income and purchase-price limits vary by county, household size and program option. Minimum credit score: 620 for government loans; 640 for conventional loans. The home must be your primary residence and meet program requirements. A participating lender determines eligibility.

How to apply: Start from the Path Finder Quiz on the official program page, then work with a TSAHC-approved participating lender to complete your application. Complete approved home buyer education before closing.

Costs and repayment: Mortgage payments, interest and applicable closing costs remain payable. Ask your lender to explain the full loan costs and assistance conditions. The forgivable second lien generally requires full repayment if you sell, refinance or transfer the home within three years; the program page also requires continued occupancy. TSAHC’s repayment FAQ states that a grant may require repayment if the first mortgage is refinanced or paid off within six months. Read the repayment FAQ.

Contact: Homeownership team: 877-508-4611 · homeownership@tsahc.org. Serves Texas, including Grayson County.

Giving Kitchen · crisis assistance for food service workers

Status: V · Verified · October 2026

Help offered: Rent and basic utility assistance for eligible food service workers facing illness, injury, an immediate-family death or housing disaster within four months while employed in food service. Financial assistance criteria. Awards depend on need and review; no dependent-child requirement is stated.

Start here: Complete the official Ask for Help form. A case manager reviews your situation and requests supporting documents if eligible. Services are free and handled remotely. Official contact form. The supplied resource listing also gives 404-254-1227; confirm current phone access.

Availability / timing: The supplied October 2 resource listing marks financial assistance as waitlisted. The current official intake page reports heavy demand and approximately 14 days to respond, despite shorter estimates elsewhere. Confirm the queue and payment timing directly; immediate aid is not guaranteed.

Prepare documents / limits: Pay stub from the crisis period, housing agreement/bills, utility bills and evidence of the crisis. Your caseworker confirms requirements and whether your job and family relationship qualify. Medical bills, cell phone, internet, cable and insurance payments are excluded. Award checks are payable to billing companies and mailed to the approved applicant to deliver.

Other support: The Stability Network offers referrals for additional needs. Ask for language assistance and Texas coverage. The listed office is administrative; no in-person case-manager meetings. Published resource hours are Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Central; confirm current staff availability.

Last researched / verified: October 2026. Confirm current funding, eligibility and waitlist status before relying on assistance.

Thrive Mobile · Lifeline wireless plans

Status: V · Verified · October 2026

Essential plan: Advertised at $0/month with an approved Lifeline benefit through SafetyNet Wireless: 5 GB data and unlimited talk/text. Official plans and coverage · Enrollment / eligibility check. Confirm Texas address coverage, device compatibility and current terms.

Healthcare+: Separate $0 offer available through selected health plans, with a device or bring-your-own-device option. Includes 10 GB high-speed data, then reduced-speed unlimited data at 128 kbps, plus health resources and check-ins. Health-plan eligibility must be confirmed; standard Lifeline approval alone does not establish this benefit.

Lifeline eligibility: Qualifying income at or below 135% of federal poverty guidelines or a qualifying benefit such as SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, federal public housing assistance or Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit. Only one Lifeline benefit per household. Federal eligibility and current income limits. Prepare identification, address and income/benefit documentation for enrollment; follow recertification notices.

Public contacts: Enrollment assistance: 888-551-2186, Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–7 p.m. Eastern as published by Thrive. General service / extra data: 888-445-1069. The supplied resource listing also gives help@thrivemobile.com; confirm this email and current support hours with Thrive. Official FAQs.

Costs / switching: Thrive advertises no activation fee or annual contract. Optional high-speed data costs extra: currently $10 for 3 GB or $15 for 5 GB. Ask about keeping your phone and number, device charges and benefit transfer before switching. Enrollment and activation times depend on approval.

Last researched / verified: October 2026. Confirm current plan, availability and optional charges directly.

AirTalk Wireless · Lifeline phone assistance

Status: V · Verified · October 2026

Apply / offer: Official application starts with your ZIP code to show available service and devices. AirTalk advertises free monthly talk, text and data for approved Lifeline customers, with some free device offers. Confirm Texas ZIP-code availability, coverage, data allowance, device condition, international calling and any optional charges before choosing a plan. Program and terms.

Eligibility: Household income at or below 135% of federal poverty guidelines, or participation in a qualifying program such as SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, federal public housing assistance or Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit. Additional Tribal rules apply. WIC alone is not a standard qualifying program; special survivor-benefit rules may apply. Official federal eligibility and current income limits.

Documents / continued service: Be ready to provide identification, current address and proof of qualifying income or benefits directly through the official application. Only one Lifeline benefit is allowed per household; the benefit cannot be transferred. AirTalk requires using free service at least once every 30 days. Follow eligibility recertification notices.

Public support: 855-924-7825 · Contact options · Help center. The supplied resource listing reports Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–8 p.m.; current live-agent hours and time zone require confirmation. Ask about available language assistance.

Last researched / verified: October 2026. Device and data promotions vary; a fixed 15 GB allowance or a particular phone model is not guaranteed.

Habitat for Humanity of Grayson County

Status: V · Verified · October 2026

Contact: 903-893-0009 · info@graysonhabitat.org · Official affiliate. Office: 901 N. Grand Ave., Sherman; mailing P.O. Box 2725, Sherman, TX 75091. Confirm office hours/visit arrangements.

Homeownership: Application and June 2026 criteria cover Grayson residents with housing need, ability to repay and willingness to partner. Current flyer requires income/rent-history evidence, $1,500 down payment, sweat equity and budgeting classes, plus citizenship/permanent-residency and other rules. Read the complete criteria; confirm application openings and household income range.

Senior roofing: Roof repair/replacement for qualifying owner-occupants age 65+ in Grayson, with income and roof restrictions. Documents include property/mortgage records, household income and proof of age. $50 down payment and income-based material repayment are listed; funding limits projects. Confirm current contract terms.

ReStore: 903-647-0133 · restoregrayson@gmail.com · Official ReStore. 3822 Frisco Rd., Sherman. Discounted furniture/building goods, donations/pickup and volunteer inquiries; call for hours, stock, prices and donation acceptance.

Before going: Homes, repairs and store purchases have different rules and costs. No emergency placement or guaranteed approval.

Last researched / verified: October 2026. Confirm changing schedules and availability directly.