Veterans in Hidalgo County can now get more financial help paying rent and utilities, according to the Hidalgo County Community Service Agency.

The agency announced eligible veterans may now receive up to $1,000, up from $600 through Operation Bravo Zulu.

The agency requested $100,000 more from the state this year after noticing a greater need among local veterans.

"The number of veterans we get everyday has a big impact in us getting the funding for this assistance," Hidalgo County Community Service Agency Operations Manager Mari Garza said. "That's why we asked for an increase in our grant and we were grateful that we were able to get it."

Family members of military members who died in combat are now also eligible for rent and utility assistance.

The agency will start taking applications from legal guardians of children younger than 18 whose parent died in war. They could be eligible for up to $1,000.

Gold star spouses may also qualify.

"We decided to include more individuals to this program because we were seeing an increase of individuals coming in to our office that were not directly the veteran but were a family member of a veteran," Garza said.

Applications reopen Sept. 1, 2026. The agency recommends veterans call their office to set up an appointment.