latest nhpb_banner 1__compressed2

 

Home

Search the site

Immediate Financial Assistance

Rental Assistance

Food Pantries

Utility Bill Help

Free Stuff

Work From Home Jobs

Public and Government Assistance

Disability Benefits

Section 8 Housing and Apartments

Senior Help

Free Money

Free Grants

Free Clothes

Charity Assistance

Church Assistance

Community Action Agencies

Free Job Training

Help with Medical Bills

Free Healthcare

Free Dental Clinics

Car Payment Assistance

Debt Relief

How to Save Money

 

 

 

 

Utility and electric bill assistance in Texas.

Financial assistance programs will help low-income Texas families pay their utility, light, air-conditioning and energy bills. There are non-profit organizations that give emergency financial help as well as government grant programs to pay an electric bill. In addition, the utility companies also provide various forms of electric bill assistance to low-income families, the elderly, and disabled who are facing a hardship. Find how to help with utility bills in TX.

Reconnection and free weatherization is offered too. In addition, both state of Texas CEAP program and federal government grants will help low income families keep their power. There are several different emergency as well as long term utility bill assistance programs, including for winter heating costs. They include grants to help pay energy bills in Texas, payment plans as well as free methods for energy conservation, window replacement and weatherization resources among others. Find additional free window replacement or repair grant money.

Utility, power and electric bill assistance from Texas companies

American Electric Power (AEP) - This is one of the nation’s largest energy companies, and they operate in Texas too. The utility company can direct customers to financial assistance, government grant and conservation programs, and they may also offer payment plans.

AEP Texas also administers other assistance programs in the region. Some examples of them include grants from Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program, the Neighbor-to-Neighbor donation program, and weatherization. Other resources can be provided as well to income qualified households. Call 877.373.4858, or more AEP Texas assistance programs.

Atmos Energy – A financial assistance program offered to qualified people in a crisis is known as Sharing the Warmth. Donations from individuals as well as Atmos can help people pay their monthly gas bills. Local families and individuals in need of help that meet criteria established by each individual program's guidelines may be able to receive financial aid.

  • Atmos Energy – An energy conservation program known as keeping the Warmth is available for low income qualified customers. Low income individuals may receive up to $200 worth of weather-stripping, caulking, sealing, floor and attic insulation and similar materials that can help them save money on their energy and utility bills. Call the Customer Support Center at 1-888-286-6700 to apply or find more assistance programs Atmos Energy.

 

 

 

Austin Energy - A charity type program known as Financial Support Plus 1 is available for City of Austin utility customers. The program helps customers who are having financial difficulties and who are unable to pay their utility bill due to an unexpected emergency or crisis. The emergency utility assistance funding is distributed through 24 local non-profits and community assistance groups such as Travis County Family Support Services. Contact (512) 494-9400 for a list of agencies.

  • Discounts from Austin Energy are offered. A program offered is the Customer Assistance Discount Program. It offers about $54 in monthly discounts off a customer's City of Austin utility bill. To qualify for these savings, the account holder or someone in the customer’s household needs to be currently participating in any one of these assistance programs: Medicaid, Telephone Lifeline Program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) also known as Food Stamps, or Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Call 512-494-9400 for an application.
     
  • Free energy savings will help reduce utility bills. Austin Energy customers can take advantage of some of the most comprehensive and effective energy efficiency programs in the nation. Some of these programs offered include Free Thermostats, Home Performance with ENERGY STAR(tm) Rebates and Loans, Free Home Improvements, Solar Photovoltaics, and Residential Refrigerator Recycling. Call (512) 974-7827 to get additional information about the many energy efficiency and conservation services offered through Austin Energy.

A few other Austin Energy cooling and utility bill assistance programs are offered by Austin Energy. Or get information on conservation options. Learn more on Austin Energy utility bill assistance programs.

CenterPoint Energy of Texas - This is one of the leading electric and natural gas providers in the southern part of the country. The energy company offers various assistance programs for low income customers and senior citizens in Texas. Explore resources such as payment plans, federal government assistance from LIHEAP, and get contact information for regional non-profit organizations. Read CenterPoint Energy Texas assistance programs.

Central Texas Electric Cooperative, Inc. – A utility and financial assistance program known as Operation Round Up is offered to income qualified customers. The program will provide member donations for individuals with special needs, emergencies, health and rescue organizations, food banks, educational projects, and child care programs.  Find an application on the Central Texas Electric Cooperative, Inc. website.

 

 

 

 

Comanche Electric Cooperative – This local utility company also offers Operation Round Up. Funds may be provided for individuals needing emergency financial assistance. Call 1-800-915-2533 or 325-356-2533 to learn more or to apply for help.

Community Action Agencies across Texas - They serve all counties, cities, and towns in Texas. Staff can meet with families to discuss how to enter into payment plans for utility bills, apply for government grants (including EAP), discuss free energy conservation measures, and more. Low-income customers in TX can also find financial aid to apply for a utility connection deposit help and more. Learn more about utility bill assistance from Texas community action agencies.

CPS Energy (San Antonio) – This Texas utility company offers customers a couple different services and programs. The first one is  Residential Energy Assistance Partnership (REAP). This was created from a non-profit foundation that helps needy families pay their utility bills year-round, and educates them on money-saving conservation measures that can help them save on their energy bills.

  • The Bexar County Housing and Human Services Department (210-335-6770) as well as the City of San Antonio Department of Community Initiatives (210-207-7830 ) can provide program information. Project WARM is another program. This one is administered by the City of San Antonio (210-207-7830) and the Bexar County Housing and Human Services Department (210-335-6770) Project WARM is another program that also provides utility bill assistance to CPS customers. Call (210) 353-2222, or read more on CPS assistance programs.

Denton Municipal – The P-L-U-S One Program is the name of this organizations charity assistance program. Interfaith Ministries administers the program for the utility company. The non-profit will distribute the grants and funds to hardship-stricken families to help maintain their utility service and prevent disconnections. Call 940-349-8700

El Paso Electric, which can be reached at 915-543-5970, runs a Low Income Rider program. This program will provide qualified customers with help, and it will bill them the Residential Service Customer Charge. Other payment arrangements are available as well. More on El Paso Electric assistance programs.

Entergy – An assistance program known as Beat The Heat provides thousands of free fans which will be  distributed to customers by numerous partner agencies such as the Salvation Army, Total Community Action, and various Councils on Aging. Call 1-800-368-3749

Entergy Texas - The Power to Care assistance program may have funds for short-term utility bill assistance, and the grants are available to low-income elderly or disabled customers. Call 1-800-368-3749

 

 

 

Entergy also administer several other emergency assistance programs. Some are offered directly by the energy provider, and others run in partnership with the federal government or state of Texas. Learn more on financial assistance from Entergy.

First Choice Power – A program known as Care to Share is offered, and it will provide customer and utility bill emergency assistance. Phone 866-469-2464

First Choice Power – This power company also runs the Lite-Up Texas program. This can provide low income customers who meet certain government poverty income levels with help during the summer for their cooling and utility bills. In addition, those Texas households that are now receiving food stamps or Medicaid will also automatically be enrolled in the program.  In addition, utility deposit waivers are available for seniors 62 and older to help them connect service. Call 1-866-454-8387 or 866-469-2464.

Money to help with utility bills in TexasLubbock Power & Light – The resources offered are known as Project Helping Hands. People who need help with paying their monthly utility bill can contact Catholic Family Services at (806) 765-8475 for more information or assistance.

New Braunfels Utilities – A generic Utility Bill Assistance Program is offered. It was created to help people pay for their water, electric, and wastewater bills. The Salvation Army of Comal County manages the utility assistance program for NBU and is charged with accepting applications, determining qualifications and deciding how much financial assistance will be granted to each applicant. Contact the Salvation Army of Comal County directly at 830-608-9129 for more information or to apply for help.

Oncor Electric has a number of payment plans for struggling customers, including those that are on Food Stamps or Medicaid. There are applications to crisis grants from CEAP, which will help very low income customers as well as seniors or disabled people. Or get free conservation measures from weatherization, home energy audits, rebates and smart meters. The customer service team will work with struggling families to try to help them keep their electric on. Call 1-866-728-3674.

Reliant -  Lite-Up Texas is offered by this power company as well. As indicated above, low income customers as well as people receiving food stamps or Medicaid may be able to receive help from the service. Call 1-866-454-8387 to apply for aid, or to get more information. In addition to this program, Reliant Energy also has a procedure/moratorium that they follow regarding disconnecting electricity service.

This will apply to low-income seniors, any critical-care customers, people with a medical hardship and any other low-income residential customers who contact Reliant Energy and agree to a payment plan and stay current with said plan. Certain connection fees will also be waived residential customer deposits for senior citizens 65 or older. Call  866-222-7100

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reliant Energy – Another program offered by this utility is the Low Income Deposit (LID) Program. It may be able to assist customers in the Centerpoint service territory with paying their utility deposit for their electricity service. Some of the qualifications include those customers with families with children aged 6 years old or younger, households with seniors aged 60-64 (deposit is waived for seniors 65 and above) and disabled individuals. Call toll free at 866-735-4268

Reliant Energy – The CARE program is a community-based program that was initially designed to support Reliant Energy customers who are having difficulty making ends meet because of a crisis or extreme hardship, such as loss of income, illness or death in the family. Call Reliant to apply or learn more. Those are just some of the options available. Find more information on Reliant assistance programs.

Sam Houston Electric Cooperative – This power company offers its Texas customers the Helping Hands Program. This assistance program provides funding and emergency cash grants to help members in financial and/or physical distress pay their energy related bills. Call the following phone numbers, based upon where you live. Livingston 936-327-5711; Woodville 409-283-8251; Coldspring 936-653-5400.

San Bernard Electric Cooperative - Operation Roundup funding may be able to assist members of the cooperative who are in need of help with making their monthly utility bill payments. The people who most likely receive assistance are usually disabled and/or elderly a fixed income or a member in a crisis situation or who have very low income. Call 1-800-364-3171

Southwestern Electric Power - Resources are available in Texas to income qualified SWEPCO customers. They include programs such as Neighbor to Neighbor or average monthly billing. The company also partners with non-profit organizations to assist the less fortunate with their utility bills. Click Southwestern Electric Power utility assistance programs.

TXU Energy – The program offered to its customers is the Lite-Up Texas assistance program. It is effective each and every year from July through October. It will provide TXU Energy customers and families with a summer discount on their cooling bills or utility bills. Households that are currently receiving Food Stamps or Medicaid will automatically be included in the Lite-Up Texas program. If you are currently receiving either of those options but are low income, then you can see if you qualify by calling 1 (800) 818-6132 or 1-866-454-8387 to learn more or apply.

  • In addition to that resource provided by TXU Energy, a number of other bill paying programs and plans can help lower income families and individuals. Read more TXU Energy financial assistance.

United Cooperative Services - Member donations fund the Operation Roundup program, which may be able to help other low income cooperative members with paying for their heating and air-conditioning equipment repair, funds for electric bills, equipment for the handicapped, life support equipment, medical bills, prescription medicine, and staple food items.

Water bill programs exist for some providers such as Monarch Utilities and SouthWest Water. Low income and struggling customers can receive discounts or financial support from resources such as H2O. Other hardship programs operate as well. Read more on financial help from Monarch Utilities and Southwest Water.

West Texas Utilities – The Lite-Up Texas program is also offered by the utility company. The program terms are the same as indicated above, and it will help people pay summer cooling and utility bills. You can call 1-877-215-8018

 

 

 

WTU Direct Energy – The Neighbor to Neighbor energy assistance program can help families pay their electric bills. Aspermont 940-989-3538, Pecos 432-447-4913, Marfa 432-729-4876, Crowell 1-888-606-8889, San Angelo 325-657-4400 or 325-653-1680, Crosbyton 1-800-692-4164, Coleman 1-800-625-4167 x239, Abilene 325-673-5785, LaMesa 915-652-8554, Amarillo 806-372-2531, Fort Stockton 432-336-7526. Additional resources are offered for low income customers. Find more WTU Direct assistance programs.

Help from the state of TX and federal government for utility bills

Find information below on many different government assistance programs, grant money and services offered by the state of Texas or federal government. These including emergency grants for paying bills to keep the lights, AC or power on. However if your utility company is not listed find other electric bill assistance programs.

Government grant money in TX from Low Income Energy Bill Assistance (CEAP) - The federal government LIHEAP program pays for both weatherization and the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program in Texas. Funds can help pay utility and air conditioning bills, and also pay for energy conservation measures. This can include a fix to an air conditioner, minor roof or window repairs and more. Click here for CEAP low income energy bill help.

LITE-UP Texas provides customers with discounts, mostly during the summer months. While the rates will be set each year, in some cases there may be a reduction ranging from 60 to 85% on electric bills. Most companies in Texas participate in the low income program, and the state regulates the service. Continue with the Texas LITE-UP discount program.

 

Related Content From Needhelppayingbills.com

 

By Jon McNamara

 

Additional Local Programs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Home

Forum

Contact Us

About Us

Financial Literacy Blog

Privacy policy

Visit Facebook page

Search Site