APS Bill Assistance: How to Get Help With Arizona Public Service Electric Bills

Arizona Public Service (APS) offers several ways for customers to reduce or manage their electric bills, and there are also outside programs that can help with past-due balances or shutoff notices. HowToGetAssistance.org is an informational site only; to apply or make changes, you must go through APS or other official agencies directly.

This guide focuses on typical APS assistance options, who they often help, and how to contact the right offices quickly and safely.

Fast Answer: Main Ways to Get APS Bill Assistance

APS bill assistance usually comes from a mix of APS-run programs and outside energy assistance programs:

Monthly discounts on your APS bill (for low-income households).
Emergency help with disconnection or shutoff notices.
One-time payments for past-due balances, often through nonprofits using federal aid.
Payment arrangements or extensions set up directly with APS.
Weatherization or energy-efficiency help, which can lower bills long term.

Most help is income-based, and many programs require you to apply through a local community action agency, tribal organization, or 2-1-1 referral, not directly through a random website.

Quick Summary: APS Bill Help at a Glance

Check APS programs first: log in to your APS account or call customer service.
Low income? Ask about bill discount programs and LIHEAP funds.
Facing shutoff?Contact APS immediately and ask about payment arrangements and emergency assistance.
Not sure where to apply? Call 2-1-1 Arizona or visit the official 211 Arizona website for local energy-assistance agencies.
Have documents ready: ID, APS account number, proof of income, and recent bill.
Never pay a “fee” to apply for bill-assistance programs—this is a major scam warning sign.

Does APS Bill Assistance Apply to You?

APS programs and partner assistance typically focus on residential APS customers who are struggling to pay, especially where there is low or moderate income, financial hardship, or medical vulnerability.

Common eligibility clues (not guarantees):

You receive benefits like SNAP, TANF, SSI, SSDI, or AHCCCS/Medicaid.
Your household income is at or below a set percentage of the Federal Poverty Level (exact limits vary by program).
You have a past-due APS bill, shutoff notice, or have already been disconnected.
Someone in the home has a serious medical condition affected by loss of electricity (for medical-flag or medical-needs protections; documentation is typically required).

Eligibility and names of programs can vary by county, tribal area, and local agency, even though APS is the utility. To find the correct local office for your home address, you can:

Visit APS’s official website and search for “energy assistance” or “bill assistance”.
Use 2-1-1 Arizona (online or phone) to locate community action agencies or nonprofits that administer energy assistance for APS customers.

Key Terms Explained Simply

LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program): Federal program that helps with utility bills, usually paid directly to the utility on your behalf.
Payment arrangement: An agreement with APS to pay a balance over time instead of all at once.
Disconnection / shutoff notice: Official notice that your electricity may be turned off if you do not pay by a certain date.
Bill discount program: Ongoing monthly reduction on your APS bill if you meet income and other criteria.

Understanding these terms helps you ask for the right type of help when you contact APS or a local agency.

What You’ll Need Ready Before You Ask for Help

Most APS-related assistance programs require similar basic information. Having it ready reduces delays and follow-up calls.

Commonly required:

Your APS account number and service address.
Photo ID for the account holder (driver’s license, state ID, tribal ID, or other accepted ID).
Proof of income for everyone in the household (recent pay stubs, benefits award letters, unemployment statements, Social Security benefit letters).
Recent APS bill showing balance, due date, and any shutoff warning.
Proof of hardship, if requested (job loss notice, medical bills, or other documentation).
For medical-need protections: doctor’s letter or medical certification on official letterhead, when required.

Real-world friction to watch for: a common reason applications get delayed is missing or unclear income documents, such as sending only one pay stub when the agency asks for 30 days of income, or uploading photos that are too dark or blurry to read.

If you do not have a printer or scanner, many community agencies and libraries can help you make copies or scan documents for applications.

Your Next Steps: How to Start and What to Expect

The exact path depends on whether you need monthly relief, emergency shutoff help, or time to pay.

1. If you’re behind and worried about shutoff

Do this next: contact APS customer service immediately.

Call APS customer service using the phone number on your bill or contact page on the official APS site.
Tell the representative: “I’m an APS customer and I’m struggling to pay my bill. I need to ask about payment arrangements and any available bill assistance programs.”
Ask about:
- Payment plans or extensions to avoid disconnection.
- Whether your account may qualify for an APS discount program.
- Which local agencies APS partners with for LIHEAP or emergency energy assistance.
What to expect next: APS typically explains your disconnection timeline, payment options, and gives you contact info or referrals for agencies that may be able to pay part of your bill if funds are available.

If you cannot get through by phone, check APS’s online account portal for payment-plan options and look for a “help with your bill” or “assistance programs” section.

2. If you need help finding LIHEAP or local energy assistance

LIHEAP and similar funds are usually administered by local community action agencies, tribal governments, or nonprofits, not APS itself.

Steps:

Go to the official 2-1-1 Arizona site or call 2-1-1 from your phone.
Ask the operator or search for: “energy assistance for APS customers” or “LIHEAP” using your ZIP code.
Write down the agency name, phone number, address, and any appointment instructions.
Contact the agency and say: “I am an APS customer seeking utility bill assistance. I was referred by 2-1-1 and would like to know how to apply for LIHEAP or other energy assistance.”
What to expect next: You may be placed on a waitlist, scheduled for an intake appointment, or asked to complete an application and submit documents. If approved, payment is typically sent directly to APS, not to you.

You can learn more about this federal program in general from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services LIHEAP page on the HHS.gov website.

3. If you want ongoing APS bill discounts or special protections

APS typically offers bill discount programs and sometimes medical or hardship protections for qualifying customers.

Steps:

Go to the official APS website and search for “income-qualified programs,” “bill assistance,” or “low-income discount.”
Review the income limits and eligibility rules for each program listed.
If you appear to qualify, follow the instructions to apply online or by phone, or to download any required forms.
Be ready to submit proof of income and household size, and sometimes proof of benefits.
What to expect next: You may receive a confirmation email or letter indicating your application was received, followed by an approval or denial notice. If approved, you typically see the discount appear on future APS bills, not always immediately on the current month.

If medical needs are involved, look for APS information about medical needs or life-support equipment and follow their documented process, which usually includes a healthcare provider statement.

Avoid Mistakes and Scam Warnings

Any program that involves your utility account, identity, or money makes you a target for scams, especially when you are facing shutoff.

Key safety points:

Never pay a fee to apply for APS bill assistance, LIHEAP, or similar programs. Legitimate help does not charge application fees.
Do not share your APS login or banking PINs with anyone offering to “get you approved faster.”
Check that websites end in .gov for federal or state agencies, or clearly show they are official APS or known nonprofits before entering personal information.
If someone calls claiming to be APS and demands instant payment via gift cards, prepaid cards, or apps, hang up and call APS back using the number on your bill.
If a community agency worker seems unclear, you can ask: “Are you an official LIHEAP or energy-assistance provider for APS customers in this county?”

One frequent snag is people responding to social media posts or texts from strangers promising “guaranteed bill wipes” or fake grants; these are almost always scams and can lead to identity theft.

If APS Bill Assistance Isn’t Enough

Sometimes, even with a discount or one-time help, your APS bill remains difficult to manage. In that case, look for additional, legitimate supports:

Ask the local community action agency whether they know of church-based or nonprofit funds that help with power bills in your specific area.
Contact 211 Arizona again and search for “emergency financial assistance,” “rent and utility help,” or “crisis services” using your ZIP code.
Explore weatherization and energy-efficiency programs in your area (often run through state energy offices or community action agencies) that can lower bills over time by improving insulation, AC efficiency, and sealing leaks.

Because programs, income limits, and funding levels change regularly and vary by county and tribe, always confirm the latest details with APS and the local agency that actually administers the program before making plans around any expected assistance. Once you have your documents ready and know which official offices to contact, you can move through the process more quickly and reduce the chance of delays.