If you need help with electric, utility, or heating bills.

There are a number of places you can turn to if you need help with paying your electric, utility, water or heating bills.

First, you should always contact your utility company to find out about any programs they offer. Many utilities offer help via shareholder or community funded emergency payment assistance programs for their utility customers. These programs will provide cash assistance to help offset the costs of cooling and heating homes, and they will provide needed help with escalating electricity bills.

There are also numerous other plans and options that will provide help if you need it. As an example, some companies offer payment plans to help you manage your energy bills, such as balanced payment plans. These plans charge you a fixed amount each month so you can better budget your electric bill costs.

You can also contact the organizations below, or contact a charity for help.
 

Free and Discounted Home Heating Oil. The Citizens Energy Oil Heat Program has delivered millions of gallons of discounted and free home heating oil to elderly households and households that are struggling from emergencies such as a job loss. More.

The Weatherization Assistance Program will provide free weatherization services to those in need to help improve the energy efficiency of homes. Some services included are weatherstripping, wall and attic insulation, minor home repairs, and other related energy saving measures that will help people lower their electric bills. More on weatherization assistance.

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) will provide financial help to eligible households who need help paying bills. The help will offset the costs of heating and/or cooling dwellings, and help offset those higher heating and electric bills.

Balanced Payment Plans - These are offered by many utility companies as a way to help pay your bills. These plans provide provide the customer a way of paying their electric bill that is a flat rate per month. It will ensure your utility bill, and payments, do not dramatically increase during the winter or summer months. For example, if your annual electric bill is $960 per year, you may pay a flat fee of $80 per month, rather than paying a higher amount in the summer or winter.

Community Action Agencies - Almost 1,500 counties across the country have local, non-profit organizations known as Community Action Agencies. These organizations often administer various energy assistance programs, including LIHEAP, and these agencies can also refer you to additional resources in your local area. Read more on how to get utility bill assistance from community action agencies.

Dollar Energy Fund - Several states, including WV, TN, PA, OH, MD, and VA participate in this program. It has been in existence for almost 30 years, and hundreds of thousands of people have received grants for paying their utility and heating bills. Read more.

Energy Saving Tips - Find the best, mostly free energy saving tips from top publications. You can easily lower your energy bills by 10-40%. More.

Energy Assistance Programs - In addition to LIHEAP, there are numerous energy assistance programs at the local, state, and federal level. Programs are even offered by utility companies themselves. Continue.

Home Energy Audit - Many utility companies will offer these as a free service, or for a very low fee. These audits will help identify where your home needs help to reduce your energy usage. If an audit identifies an area that you can improve, some utility companies will even help pay the bill to fix the home, if you meet their income criteria.

Operation Roundup - An assistance program offered by many utility companies. They will provide cash grants to help pay utility, heating, and other bills. For example, you can even get help with rent, medical expenses, or food aid. More.

Salvation Family Emergency Services - Families can always turn to The Salvation Army for help. The Salvation Army Family Emergency Services addresses basic human needs, providing a "safety net" for those who need help paying bills and have nowhere else to turn to. They will provide clothing, food, utility bill assistance and also counseling. Case workers at the Family Emergency Services help prevent homelessness through crisis intervention. Contact your local Salvation Army Chapter for more information.

State Assistance Programs- Many states offer additional assistance programs, in addition to LHEAP, that can help you and your family with paying utility or heating bills. There may also be programs that will help you save energy by reducing your electric bills through energy saving methods, such as appliances, free insulation, etc. More.

Assistance with water bills - American Water operates subsidiaries across the country. They offer their customers two programs that can help them with paying their water bills, the H2O - Help to Others and the Low-Income Payment plan. Learn more on the options that you have. They also provide free water audits that can reduce your usage.

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