How to Get Help Paying Your Electric Bill: Options and Next Steps

HowToGetAssistance.org provides general information only; you must use official utility, government, or nonprofit channels to apply for any electric bill assistance.

If you are behind on your electric bill, you typically have three main paths: work directly with your utility, apply for government-funded utility assistance, and check local nonprofit or charity programs. Most households use a combination of these, plus a payment plan or budget billing to prevent future shutoffs.

Fast Answer: Main Ways to Get Electric Bill Assistance

Most people who get help with electric bills use one or more of these:

Utility company programs – payment plans, bill extensions, budget billing, and sometimes hardship funds.
Government energy assistance – especially LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) and, in some areas, emergency utility aid.
Charities and community groups – churches, community action agencies, and large nonprofits like the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, or United Way partners.
State or local protections – shutoff moratoriums during extreme weather, medical protections, or senior/disabled protections.

Do this next:Call your electric utility’s customer service number (on your bill) and ask, “What assistance programs or payment plans are available for customers having trouble paying?” This usually unlocks the fastest, most realistic options for your specific account.

Quick Summary: Common Options and Where to Start

First call: Your electric utility’s customer service or billing department.
Main government help:LIHEAP for heating/cooling and sometimes crisis utility payments.
Extra local help: Community action agencies, 2-1-1 referral lines, churches, and charities.
Best timing:Contact someone before your shutoff date listed on your notice.
Key papers: ID, account number, recent bill, income proof, and shutoff notice if you have one.
Scam rule: Legit help programs do not ask you to pay fees or gift cards to “get approved.”

What You’ll Need Ready Before You Ask for Help

Most programs have similar basic requirements, even though details vary by state and utility. Having documents ready can speed things up.

Key terms (plain language):

Shutoff notice – a notice from your utility saying when service will be disconnected if you don’t pay.
Payment arrangement – an agreement to pay your past-due balance over time, usually with fixed monthly amounts.
LIHEAP – federal program that helps low-income households pay heating/cooling bills through local agencies.
Budget billing – a program that averages your annual usage so your monthly bill is more predictable.

You will typically need:

Your most recent electric bill (with account number and service address).
Photo ID for the account holder (driver’s license, state ID, etc.).
Proof of income for everyone in the household (pay stubs, benefit award letters, unemployment, etc.).
Proof of residency if not clear from the bill (lease, mail to your address).
Shutoff notice or past-due bill if you’re in emergency status.
Social Security numbers or other ID numbers, if required by your local program.

A common reason applications get delayed is missing income proof for all adults in the home, so gather documents for everyone, not just the person whose name is on the bill.

Your Next Steps: How to Actually Ask for Help

1. Start With Your Electric Utility

Find the customer service number on your bill or on the official website of your utility.
Call and say clearly: “I’m having trouble paying my electric bill and I’m worried about disconnection. What assistance programs or payment plans do you offer?”
Ask about:
- Payment arrangements or installment plans on the past-due balance.
- Due date extensions or short-term holds on disconnection.
- Any low-income or hardship programs, senior/disabled discounts, or medical protections.
What to expect next: They may check your account immediately and tell you which options you qualify for, then either:
- Set up a payment plan right away over the phone, or
- Direct you to an online form or local agency that manages assistance funds.

Simple phone script you can use:
“I received a shutoff notice and I can’t pay the full amount. Can you tell me all the options for payment plans or assistance so I can keep my power on?”

2. Apply for Government Utility Assistance (Often LIHEAP)

In most states, LIHEAP applications are handled by local agencies, such as Community Action Agencies, county social services, or tribal organizations, not by your utility directly.

Find your local LIHEAP office using the government’s LIHEAP locator on the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services site by searching for “LIHEAP office in [your state]” and using the official .gov link, or by visiting the federal LIHEAP page at the Office of Community Services.
Check local rules – each state sets its own income limits, application periods, and benefit amounts.
Submit an application through the method they offer (online, by mail, or in person), following their instructions exactly.
What to expect next: Processing times vary; you may receive:
- A one-time payment sent directly to your utility,
- A crisis payment if you have a shutoff notice, or
- A denial or waitlist notice if funds are limited.

Some states also have separate emergency utility programs (often run through the Department of Social Services or similar). Ask the LIHEAP office, “Are there any emergency electric bill programs beyond LIHEAP that I can apply for?”

3. Contact Local Nonprofits and 2-1-1

If government programs are closed or funding is limited, local charities sometimes cover part of a bill to help you avoid shutoff.

Dial 2-1-1 (where available in the U.S.) or visit your state or regional 211 website to search for “utility assistance” or “electric bill help.”
Ask for referrals to:
- Community Action Agencies
- Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, or Lutheran Social Services
- Local churches with benevolence funds
What to expect next: These groups typically:
- Ask for your bill, ID, and income details,
- Decide whether they can make a one-time pledge to your utility,
- Pay the utility directly rather than giving you cash.

Funds are often limited and not guaranteed, so you may need to contact more than one group.

Does Electric Bill Assistance Apply to You?

Eligibility depends on where you live, income, household size, and emergency status, but there are some common patterns.

You are more likely to qualify for at least some assistance if:

Your household income is below a set limit, often around 150–200% of the Federal Poverty Level, depending on your state or program.
You have a shutoff notice, or your power has already been disconnected.
Someone in the home is elderly, disabled, very young, or medically fragile (some programs prioritize these households).
You receive other benefits such as SNAP, TANF, or SSI, which can sometimes speed up income verification.

Because rules vary by state and even by county, search “[your county] community action agency” or “[your state] LIHEAP office” and confirm income limits and required documents on the official site or by phone.

Avoid Mistakes and Scam Warnings

Any time benefits or past-due bills are involved, scam attempts increase. Real programs usually follow a clear pattern.

Common snags (and quick fixes)

Applications delayed because proof of income for all adults in the home wasn’t included → Gather documents for everyone before submitting.
Utility payment plans canceled when a payment is missed → Call before you miss a payment to ask about changing the arrangement.
People assuming they’re over the income limit without checking → Confirm limits with the local agency, since they vary by state and household size.

Scam and safety checks:

Legitimate assistance programs do not ask you to pay a “processing fee,” send gift cards, or share bank login information to get help.
Always confirm you’re communicating with:
- Your utility’s official customer service number (on your bill or on their official website).
- A .gov site, a known nonprofit, or a community action agency recommended by 2-1-1.
Be cautious with social media posts or texts promising “instant bill wipeout” or “secret programs”; verify any program by checking with your utility or local LIHEAP office.

If someone claims they can “erase your electric bill” if you pay them, assume it is a scam and report it to your utility or state consumer protection office.

If Assistance Isn’t Enough or You’re Still Behind

Sometimes help programs cover only part of the bill, or you might not qualify based on income or funding limits. You still have options to reduce risk of shutoff.

Ask your utility about levelized or budget billing to even out high seasonal bills.
Request energy efficiency help (such as weatherization programs funded by LIHEAP or state energy offices) to permanently lower usage.
If you received a denial from LIHEAP or another program, ask the agency:
- “Can I appeal this decision?”
- “Are there any other utility or crisis programs I might be eligible for?”
If you can’t reach your local agency or are stuck in voicemail, contact your utility and say, “I’m trying to apply for assistance through [agency name] but can’t get through; can you note my account and tell me if you accept pledges from other agencies or charities?”

If you systematically follow these steps—utility options, LIHEAP or state programs, then local nonprofits—you will typically know what real assistance is available and what payment plan you can arrange to keep your electric service on whenever possible under local rules.