The Texas Department of Human Services (TDHS) offers limited benefits to families requiring public assistance. In the past, home educated students and home educated minor parents have been denied benefits because of their home school status. The Texas Department of Human Services has no legal basis for denying applicants solely because they choose to homeschool.

Within the Texas Works Handbook, the operations manual for TDHS, under section 1600-A, 1610 Eligibility Requirements, the agency clearly states, “A child or teen parent who is homeschooled is attending school. Accept the parent’s statement that the child attends school at home.”

THSC intervenes on behalf of THSC members with these type of situations. If you have trouble claiming benefits from state or federal agencies because of your home school status, you may call the THSC Association at (806) 744-4441.