Utility bill assistance in your area and local communities
Charities, utility companies and government organizations all provide some type of utility assistance in most communities, including programs that will be near you. There are a variety of hardship programs to pay a utility bill, grants, payment plans from electric or gas companies as well as other solutions available. The goal is to offer short term relief and long term options. Find how to get utility help near you, in your state or from your energy company. A focus of the programs are to help low-income families, senior citizens and people who are truly disadvantaged - at risk with the loss of power.
Most utility companies and local municipalities also try to help people keep their power on, therefore assistance for a hardship to stop a shut off will be offered near you for paying utility bills, including electric, gas or lights.
The main types of financial assistance programs that help people pay utility bills in local communities are below.
- Links to national utility assistance programs with a local presence
- List of state and utility company assistance programs
Also, if you need help in locating other local utility bill assistance programs for your area, please e-mail us. Be sure to include your "general" location (state/county/city). As there may be other options as well in some areas, including near you, for paying utilities. The email.
Links to national utility assistance programs with a local presence
There are also many national or regional programs that offer utility help in local communities. These include local crisis LIHEAP grants, charities with a local presence or dedicated financial resources that may be near you for the elderly, disabled, sick or single moms. As a variety of programs are coordinated at the national level to help pay electric or light bills before a disconnection notice has been received.
Crisis LIHEAP
applications, or the equivalent in each state, will be available near you. This is the primary federal government emergency low income energy bill assistance program that pays out grant money. Community action agencies or local government human (or social service offices DSS) usually take applications. More on Crisis LIHEAP to pay a utility bill near you. National churches that may be near you also offer utility assistance or other support, such as free firewood. Money is limited, and some of the organizations may include St. Vincent de Paul, Catholic Charities, United Methodist, the Salvation Army or even local parishes. Learn more on how to get free firewood near you.
Most national utility companies offer forgiveness plans or other assistance. There may be free energy conservation resources, payment plans to stop a shut off or give the customer more time, discount services as well as other programs near you available. Find how to get utility bills forgiven from your local company. Free air conditioners are given out by local some utility companies or national charities. A focus is on helping senior citizens, disabled people or those with a medical condition stay cool during the summer as an AC unit will keep them safe and healthy. Find details on free air conditioner near you.
Local utility bill assistance programs are available from the
LIHEAP Clearinghouse
too. While the LIHEAP energy assistance program name may vary by state, there is still a free directory that help people find programs near them, in their state, county or utility provider. Get details here. https://liheapch.acf.hhs.gov/stateplans.htm.
Community Action Agencies
in all areas, including near you, provide grant money to pay utilities. Low income families have a number of emergency and long term assistance programs for paying their utility bills. Whether a payment plan or abatement from a utility company, grant from the LIHEAP program, or money from community action that may be near you, various organizations try to help struggling customers keep their lights and electricity on. More on utility help from community action near you. Local utility assistance programs are also available from the United Way 211 service near you.
The non-profit will help people find programs to help pay utility bills in your area along with other options - such as conservation plans. More details are here. org/get-help/utilities-expenses.
List of state and utility company assistance programs
There are financial assistance programs from most utility companies, local government grants, and other resources that may be near you, listed below.
Select the state or utility company as well as type of electric or utility bill help needed. Note that emergency services in your area that help with energy bills may also be offered from a charity that offers financial assistance. Alabama
Alabama LIHEAP
Alabama utility bill assistance Utility company programs Alabama
Alabama Power
Alaska
Alaska LIHEAP Heating Assistance Program
Alaska utility bill assistance Arizona
Arizona LIHEAP
Arizona utility bill assistance Utility and electric company programs in Arizona
Arizona Public Services - APS
Tucson Electric Power
Arkansas
Arkansas LIHEAP
Arkansas utility bill assistance Utility, gas, and electric company assistance programs in Arkansas
Entergy Arkansas
Southwestern Electric
California
California LIHEAP
California utility bill assistance Utility company programs in California for gas, light, and electric PG&E - Pacific Gas and Electric
San Diego Gas and Electric
SCE - Southern California Edison
SoCalGas - Southern California Gas
Colorado
Colorado LEAP
Colorado utility bill assistance Utility company assistance programs in Colorado
Black Hills Energy
Xcel Energy Colorado
Connecticut
Connecticut EAP
Connecticut utility bill assistance Utility and gas company resources in Connecticut Eversource - Connecticut Light and Power
Southern Connecticut Gas
Delaware
Delaware DEAP
Delaware utility bill assistance Florida
Florida LIHEAP
Florida utility bill assistance Utility, light, and electric company programs in Florida
Duke Energy Florida
FPL - Florida Power and Light
Tampa Electric
Georgia
Georgia EAP
Georgia utility bill assistance Utility, gas and power company programs in Georgia
Atlanta Gas Light
Georgia Natural Gas
Georgia Power
Hawaii
Hawaii LIHEAP
Hawaii utility bill assistance Idaho
Idaho LIHEAP
Idaho utility bill assistance Utility and electric company programs for Idaho
Idaho Power
Illinois
Illinois LIHEAP
Illinois utility bill assistance Utility, heating and electric company assistance programs in Illinois
Ameren Illinois
ComeEd
Peoples Gas
Indiana
Indiana EAP
Indiana utility bill assistance Utility company assistance programs in Indiana
AES Indiana - Indianapolis Power and Light
CenterPoint Energy - Vectren
Duke Energy
Iowa
Iowa LIHEAP
Iowa utility bill assistance Utility and energy company assistance programs in Iowa
MidAmerican Energy
Kansas
Kansas LIHEAP
Kansas utility bill assistance Electric, utility and gas company programs for Kansas Evergy - Westar Kentucky
Kentucky LIHEAP
Kentucky utility bill assistance Utility and light company programs in Kentucky
Kentucky Utility Company
Louisville Gas and Electric
Louisiana
Louisiana LIHEAP
Louisiana utility bill assistance Energy, electric and light company resources in Louisiana
Entergy Louisiana
SWEPCO - Southwest Louisiana
Maine
Maine LIHEAP
Maine utility bill assistance Maryland
Maryland MEAP
Maryland utility bill assistance Utility, gas, and heating company programs in Maryland BGE - Baltimore Gas and Electric
Columbia Gas
Delmarva Power
Massachusetts
Massachusetts LIHEAP
Massachusetts utility bill assistance Utility, heating and electric company programs in Massachusetts Eversource - NSTAR
National Grid
Michigan
Michigan Heating Credit LIHEAP program
Michigan utility bill assistance Utility company assistance programs in Michigan
Consumers Energy
DTE Energy
Minnesota
Minnesota EAP
Minnesota utility bill assistance Utility, energy, and heating company programs in Minnesota
CenterPoint Energy MN
Xcel Energy Minnesota
Mississippi
Mississippi LIHEAP
Mississippi utility bill assistance Utility company financial resources in Mississippi
Entergy Mississippi
Missouri
Missouri LIHEAP
Missouri utility bill assistance Energy and utility company resources in Missouri
Ameren Missouri
Evergy - Kansas City Power and Light
Spire - Missouri Gas Energy
Montana Montana utility bill assistance Nebraska
Nebraska LIHEAP
Nebraska utility bill assistance Utility, power and heat company programs in Nebraska
Omaha Public Power district
Nevada
Nevada LIHEAP
Nevada utility bill assistance Utility company programs in Nevada
NV Energy
New Hampshire
New Hampshire LIHEAP Fuel Assistance
New Hampshire utility bill assistance
New Jersey
New Jersey LIHEAP
New Jersey utility bill assistance Utility and gas company assistance programs in New Jersey
PSE&G Public Service Electricity and Gas
New Mexico
New Mexico LIHEAP
New Mexico utility bill assistance Utility and electric company programs in New Mexico
PNM Public Service Company of New Mexico
New York
New York HEAP
New York utility bill assistance Utility and energy company assistance programs in New York
Con Edison
National Grid
NYSEG - New York State Electric and Gas
RG&E Rochester Gas and Electric
North Carolina
North Carolina LIEAP
North Carolina utility bill assistance Utility company assistance programs in North Carolina
Duke Energy
Dominion Energy NC
North Dakota
North Dakota LIHEAP
North Dakota utility bill assistance Ohio
Ohio HEAP
Ohio utility bill assistance Utility, electric, and light company programs in Ohio
AEP American Electric Power
Columbia Gas Ohio
Dayton Power
Ohio Edison
Oklahoma
Oklahoma LIHEAP
Oklahoma utility bill assistance Utility, electric, and energy company resources in Oklahoma
OG&E Oklahoma Gas and Electric
Oklahoma Natural Gas
Oregon
Oregon LIHEAP
Oregon utility bill assistance Utility company assistance programs in Oregon
Pacific Power Oregon
Portland General Electric
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania LIHEAP
Pennsylvania utility bill assistance Utility and gas company programs in Pennsylvania
Philadelphia Gas Works
PPL Electric
Rhode Island
Rhode Island LIHEAP
Rhode Island utility bill assistance
South Carolina
South Carolina LIHEAP
South Carolina utility bill assistance Utility and electric company resources in South Carolina
Dominion Energy - South Carolina Electric & Gas
South Dakota
South Dakota LIEAP
South Dakota utility bill assistance Tennessee
Tennessee LIHEAP
Tennessee utility bill assistance Utility, gas and electric company programs in Tennessee MLGW Memphis Light, Gas & Water
Nashville Electric Service
Texas
Texas CEAP
Texas utility bill assistance Utility, light, gas electric company programs in Texas
AEP Texas
Austin Energy
Entergy Texas
Oncor
- TXU Energy
Reliant Energy
WTU - West Texas Utility
Utah
Utah LIHEAP
Utah utility bill assistance Utility and gas company programs in Utah
Rocky Mountain Power
Vermont
Vermont LIHEAP
Vermont utility bill assistance Virginia
Virginia LIHEAP
Virginia utility bill assistance Utility company assistance programs in Virginia
Dominion Virginia Power
Washington Gas
Washington
Washington LIHEAP
Washington utility bill assistance Energy and utility company programs in Washington
Pacific Power Washington
Seattle City Light
Washington DC
Washington DC LIHEAP
Washington District of Columbia utility bill assistance
West Virginia
West Virgina LIEAP
West Virginia utility bill assistance Wisconsin
Wisconsin WHEAP
Wisconsin utility bill assistance Energy, gas and utility company programs in Wisconsin
Alliant Energy
WE Energies
Wyoming
Wyoming LIEAP
Wyoming utility bill assistance