Get help paying utility bills, including programs from charities and the government
Utility bill assistance helps struggling households pay for all types of utility services, including electricity, heating, water, and gas. Help is available through a mix of government benefit programs, nonprofits, churches and even directly from resources offered by a utility company customer support service. This page explains how utility bill assistance programs work, including details on what types of help is available, how to apply and who will qualify.
When found qualified, any assistance to pay utilities may be provided in one or more ways. There may be emergency grant money for people in a financial hardship, bill credits, extended payment plans, or protections against service disconnection. Some programs offer short-term financial help to stop a shutoff or restore service, while others focus on longer-term affordability through reduced rates on electricity - gas, conservation measures, or income-based assistance. The exact type of help available, if any, depends on the household’s situation, utility provider, the amount of funding available and also location.
Many utility bill assistance programs, whether from a non-profit or the energy providers, prioritize households that are most at risk if service is interrupted. This often includes senior citizens, people with disabilities, low-income households with young children, and individuals with medical needs that require continuous utility service. Funding for these programs is limited, and application rules vary, which is why understanding the different categories of support is important before applying.
In addition, any help to pay utility bills is administered at multiple levels. As an example, federal funding is often distributed through state governments and local agencies, some that partner with non-longs. In addition, many charity organizations and utility companies operate their own programs that help struggling households.
- Local agencies typically process applications, disburse funding and determine eligibility, even when the money that pays the bills originates from national or federal sources. The sections below explain the main types of utility bill assistance, help people find resources and gives insight on how they are commonly accessed.
Find utility assistance programs in your area
This page explains the types of government and charitable programs that help with all types of utility bills and how they work. For a complete list of utility assistance programs, including those listed by state or local utility company, including contact information and application details, visit the utility assistance directory at https://www.needhelppayingbills.com/html/utility_assistance_near_you.html.
You can also interact with, get additional tips and share resources with people across the US. Read what others are saying about local and national utility assistance programs in our forum. People share their hardships, resources and information on resources.
Government utility bill assistance
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The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is funded by the US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). There is both emergency financial help (known as Crisis LIHEAP) and ongoing utility assistance, which can pay all gas, electric or light bills. (Note that the LIHEAP program goes by different names in some states). It provides two types of support as well as application processes, with “regular LIHEAP grant money provide to help pay bills during the winter or summer months, depending on the state as indicated on the LIHEAP by state resource.
- There is also an expedited LIHEAP crisis program, which is an option for income-qualified families that are faced with an emergency, such as a disconnection of electric service or that are very low on heating oil. The money will be expedited to households that are faced with a shut off of their electric or utility service, with some states able to provide help within 24 business hours from the LIHEAP crisis program.
The Weatherization Assistance Program will provide free energy conservation measures to help people save money on their utility bills. Everything from basic to more extensive work can be done, even including a free window replacement program for older homes. The benefit is for those in need to help improve the energy efficiency of homes, in particular people that live in “older”, less efficient homes and that of course have a low-income, which is the focus of the weatherization assistance program.
Regulations on heating and utility disconnections, that protect consumers from certain shut-offs, are available in most states. Depending on the state and month in question, the government has laws that regulate when an utility company can disconnect a customers service. While rules vary, typically they state that companies can’t disconnect power during the cold winter or hot summer months. Families with children, including single mothers, often have additional laws protecting them, as well as if the customer has a medical need with a list here of state utility disconnection laws.
Phone and Internet assistance programs are available as well. Low-income families that are get government benefits, seniors, and the disabled will receive discounts on their monthly phone bills from Lifeline or Link-Up. In some cases, based on location and company, people can get free cell phones, tablets, or even savings on their high speed cable Internet connection. A major focus is ensuring all people have some form of communication which is the goal of the telephone and internet programs.
Furnace, HVAC or Heating System Repairs are available. Community action agencies, social services and utility companies have various grant programs to help struggling households fix a HVAC, cooling or heating unit. The financial help is for various expenses based on program. In many cases the money provide will for the emergency repair too or replacement of with the programs explained here where you can read now to get help to repair to HVAC or Heating systems.
Free air conditioning units and window fans are given away during the summer months. The assistance is usually provided as part of government programs, charities, or organizations that focus on helping seniors. The free AC units are often combined with emergency utility bill assistance to help keep a struggling family cool their home or apartment, with the focus of free air conditioners on vulnerable people who are at health risk during the summer.
Programs will also help to turn on electric service. Once a shut off has occurred, it can be difficult for customers to reconnect their utilities in a timely manner. This is especially true of very low income families with limited or no money available to them. There are emergency financial assistance programs for people with very little resources that will help to turn on utilities.
Financial help for bills offered by utility companies
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Utility companies also offer assistance programs to low-income customers or people that are facing a disconnection. The resources range from utility bill forgiveness to cash grants paid out in partnership with nonprofits to payment plans, credits on an account for any bills in arrears or other options, even waived late fees. Note the income and criteria vary by provider as noted on the list of utility company assistance programs.
Assistance from a company in paying air conditioning costs - electricity during the summer is a focus. Many states, in particular those in the south and west, provide additional help to low-income families in an effort to ensure people stay safe - healthy during the heat. Emergency grant money, extensions and more may be offered, such as free box fans or AC units as part of summer electric bill assistance in hot weather states.
Assistance with water bills is offered by most water companies, whether privately owned or government programs. Many systems offer payment plans, rebates, or financial help as well as free audits to help reduce future costs, and learn about options that you have for water bill help.
Heating bill help from a utility company is available in most cold weather states. The government, utility companies and non-profits all partner together to help low-income families stay warm and/or keep their heat on, as again turning off the electricity during the winter can put someone at risk. Therefore hardship plans will help with everything from electric heat to propane, natural gas and more, with details listed here on help with heating bills.
Free heating oil or fuel is sometimes available. Some utility companies, partnering with non-profits or foundations, give out limited amounts of fuel in cold weather states. Or they give out vouchers, rebates or the customer service teams give referrals to where to get free heating oil.
Charity organizations that provide electric or light bill help
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Community Action Agencies are local, non-profit organizations that often partner with the government to help the low-income and people living in poverty pay their bills, including electric or gas costs. They also stress how to save money on electric bills as well for a long-term solution. These organizations often administer as well as accept applications for various energy assistance programs, including LIHEAP. The agencies can also refer people to additional resources with more details here on how to get utility bill assistance from community action agencies.
Electric assistance from churches is an option. Many faith based agencies will help people, such as the unemployed or vulnerable, with paying utility costs. Funds are limited, and generally only partial payments are offered in an emergency as churches do have very limited, and local, services areas and detailed here at utility bill help from churches near you.
Dollar Energy Fund is a non-profit administered energy bill assistance program. Several states, including WV, TN, PA, OH, MD, CA, TN, CT, TX, KY and VA participate in this charitable program. The service relies on donations. While funding comes and goes, and state application criteria vary, the Dollar Energy Fund can provide grant money for all sorts of utility costs, whether water, light, electricity or any other source.
Free legal assistance to stop utility disconnections is an option. Most states have non-profit law firms as well as free, pro-bono lawyers that will advise low-income individuals and senior citizens on their legal rights when it comes to utility service disconnections. There is priority given to people with a medical condition or that are elderly. Attorneys offer free consultations with the goal to help people keep their power and lights on. These are state specific programs with more information here on how lawyers provide free legal advice.
Operation Roundup is an assistance program offered by many utility companies. They will provide grant money to help pay basic living expenses, including utility, light, and other bills. For example, some low-income families can even get help with rent, medical expenses, or repairs to an HVAC and learn more about Operation Round Up.
Salvation Army has emergency help from many centers, though exact terms and conditions change by location. Low-families in a financial crisis can always turn to this charity for financial help for paying utility bills or get referrals as the Salvation Army addresses basic human need by providing a "safety net" for those who need and have nowhere else to turn to. They will also provide free fans or AC units. Case workers at the Salvation Army work to prevent homelessness through crisis intervention, and since having power shut off is one form of homelessness, the agency may be able to give emergency help, from the list of Salvation Army programs by area.
Examples of state programs that help with light, electric or utility bills
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The state programs listed below provide examples, and links to, government administered utility bill and energy assistance. These programs are typically managed at the state level, with local nonprofit agencies, community action organizations, and utility providers that distribute the help within cities and counties. Program availability, eligibility rules, and application processes vary by location. For a complete list of local utility assistance programs by state or utility company, visit the directory of utility assistance by state or utility company.
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Need more information on utility bill assistance?
If you are facing a crisis and are seeking emergency or longer-term help for utility bills, send us an email at [email protected]. Please include your state and county. This information is needed in order to provide accurate, local information on additional options for utility help. Or register in the community forum (link below) and we will reply to your message for utility bill help there.
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