Wednesday, August 20, 2025

IS YOUR BUDGET TAKING A MID-SUMMER UTILITY BILL HIT? COUNTY VETERANS OPERATION LIGHTHOUSE CAN HELP

Cameron County Veterans Service Office, 1124 E. Madison St., Brownsville

Special to El Rrun-Rrun

The Cameron County Veterans Service Office has announced that they have procured a $300,000 grant to assist needy veterans struggling with their utility bills and will soon expand to rental assistance, restorative dental car and funeral cost balances.

According to Veterans Service Office director Dr. Martin Rodriguez, the county received notice that it was receiving the additional funds through Operation Lighthouse, a grant from the Texas Veterans Commission offering one-time financial assistance to Cameron County veterans and their spouses.

""We got word that our grant was approved and we're starting with utility assistance," Rodriguez said. "You just have to provide some basic information and fill out the application in person or online."

Assistant VSO Eliazar Gonzalez said the office is now reaching out to local landlords and apartment owners to set up the process for rental assistance and to dental providers to make those services available to veterans and their surviving spouses if the veteran has passed away. The program also helps pay for funeral balances.

 Among the required documents for the utility assistance are the Operation Lighthouse Application, their DD-214 honorable discharge, a current drivers license or state ID, and a current or outstanding itemized bill.

"The utility bill should be in the veteran's name," Gonzalez said. 

Surviving spouses need the same documentation plus a marriage license and/or death certificate if it applies.

Any Cameron County veteran or surviving spouse is eligible to apply. Assistance is provided on a one-time per need.

For more information, call Gonzalez at the CC VSO at (956) 544-0811 or (956) 641-0662.

To get the application online, click on link: https://www.cameroncountytx.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Lighhouse-02.pdf  

13 comments:

Diego lee rot said...

This Electricity billing is
a big mess.

But they've made
it a
Business.

Anonymous said...

Y la renta
Kien me la paga
Asking 4 a friend

Anonymous said...

Why does this region NOT have a COSTCO’s?!Does SAMS have a monopoly here?

Noticiero El Golpe!!! said...

Estados Unidos pinta de negro el muro fronterizo con México para subir la temperatura y frenar el paso de migrantes

Donald Trump ya prometió en campaña electoral que gastaría "cientos de miles de millones de dólares más" para proseguir con la construcción del muro.

Anonymous said...

It was time for Veteran's to get all the help they need. Republicans have kept the Veterans in poverty forever. And the Veterans all supporting the Republican Party.

Anonymous said...

Crazy!

Anonymous said...

Is there any way that you could show some news clips from Russia regarding anything that is currently going on? Would like to hear what they are saying about POS Trump and the US.


FRANK GARCIA said...

I always wonder about our Brownsville veterans. You never hear McAllen veterans bitching about the light bill. Nor Harlingen's.

Buck up, soldiers!!!

Anonymous said...

Both political parties have assisted in getting the help veterans need. It would be political suicide to do otherwise. So quit spreading fake propaganda.

Anonymous said...

Democrats are just hoping Trump fails. But Trumps failure will only mean more death. Too many lives have already been lost in a war that Biden could have prevented. For the sake of humanity let's wish Trump great success.

Anonymous said...

Frank - the folks that submit comments here are not service members members. Most can't stay on the topic of discussion. The VA Office Bville deserves a big credit for thinking outside the box for our veterans. Thank you Dr. Martinez, Laura and gang for your continue support to our vets. Semper -Fi.

Anonymous said...

McAllen and Harlingen are white cities. They take care of their people before they need help.

Anonymous said...

PUB has one of the highest electrical and water rates of any utility company in the nation. Thank you TENASKA.

rita