Bexar County officials have recently been reminding the public that assistance is available to an estimated 15,000 property taxpayers who are behind on paying their taxes.

County Tax Assessor-Collector Albert Uresti used a March 24 press release and an April 5 briefing with county commissioners to say his office has notified 15,000 delinquent taxpayers.

Uresti said assistance is available through money that Bexar County received from an $80 million Homeowners Assistance Fund contained within the federal American Rescue Plan Act.

The state of Texas is administering the HAF money to Texas counties. Uresti said Bexar County property taxpayers may contact the tax assessor-collector’s office online at www.bexar.org/1515/Tax-Assessor-Collector, call 210-335-2251, or visit one of four county tax offices to see if they are eligible to apply for aid.

"These are grants and not loans, and they do not have to be paid back," Uresti said in the press release.

According to the county, the assistance program is available to homeowners who are behind on property taxes, insurance, mortgage, or homeowners association and condominium fees. A maximum of $25,000 is available for homeowners behind on property taxes, and up to $40,000 is available for those behind on mortgage payments.

According to the county, eligibility requires that household income be below 100% of area median income of $62,250 or be below 100% of the national median income of $79,000.

Among other requirements, the county said the prospective applicant must submit documents, including a valid Texas driver’s license, Social Security card, military ID, state ID or birth certificate, and provide a formal notice of tax delinquency.

Uresti told commissioners that some residents have no online access, and others are unable to physically visit a tax office. However, Uresti said, county staffers are available at each tax office to help visiting residents.