How to Apply for Help With Your Electric Bill and Other Utilities

Utility assistance programs can reduce or temporarily cover part of your electric, gas, water, or sewer bill when you cannot afford to pay. HowToGetAssistance.org only provides general guidance; you must apply through official agencies, utilities, or approved nonprofits.

Most households start by checking for three types of help: federal energy assistance (like LIHEAP), local emergency aid through county or city programs, and payment plans or discounts directly from the utility company. The steps below focus on how these typically work and how to move from “I need help” to “I’ve submitted an application.”

Quick summary: how to get utility assistance

Do this next:Call your electric company and ask what assistance or payment programs you may qualify for.
Then contact your state’s LIHEAP/energy assistance office (often through a local community action agency).
Gather ID, proof of income, your latest bill, and proof of address before applying.
Use 2-1-1 (phone or online) to locate local emergency or charity programs that help with shut-off notices.
Watch for fees, “guaranteed approval” promises, or requests for payment via gift cards or apps—those are common scam signs.

Key terms you’ll see (plain language)

LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program): Federal program, run by each state, that typically helps with heating or cooling bills and sometimes crisis situations like a shut-off notice.
Utility assistance program: Any official program (government, utility, or nonprofit) that gives a bill credit, one‑time payment, or grant toward your bill.
Payment arrangement / payment plan: Agreement with your utility to spread a large balance over several months, often to stop disconnection.
Shut-off / disconnect notice: Formal notice from your utility that service may be disconnected by a certain date if payment is not made.

Check if utility assistance is likely to apply to you

Programs vary by state, county, and even by utility company, so the exact rules differ, but most use similar eligibility clues.

You are more likely to qualify for government or nonprofit utility help if:

Your household income is low for your area (often at or below 150–200% of the Federal Poverty Level).
Someone in the home is vulnerable, such as a senior, young child, or person with a serious medical condition that depends on electricity.
You received a shut-off/disconnect notice, or your service was recently shut off.
You already get benefits like SNAP, SSI, TANF, or Medicaid; many programs treat this as a strong eligibility signal.
You pay your own utility bills (not fully included in rent or paid by a landlord).

To find the correct office for your location, search online for “[your state] LIHEAP” or visit the federal LIHEAP page at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and follow links to your state’s official site: search for “LIHEAP energy help HHS” or go to the ACF/HHS LIHEAP page.

What you’ll need ready before you apply

Most utility assistance applications move faster if you prepare documents first. Programs vary, but these items are commonly required:

Photo ID for the primary applicant (driver’s license, state ID, tribal ID, or passport).
Social Security number (or document showing it) for you and sometimes other household members, when available.
Proof of income for everyone in the household, such as recent pay stubs, Social Security award letters, unemployment statements, pension statements, or a self-employment income summary.
Your most recent utility bill showing your account number, past‑due amount, and any shut-off date.
Proof of address, such as the utility bill, lease, or official mail that matches the name/address on the application.
Proof of hardship if required (for example, job loss letter, medical bills, or benefit denial letters).

If you do not have a document, ask directly, “What can I submit instead if I don’t have ___?” Many programs accept alternative proof, such as a written statement from an employer or landlord.

Your next steps: where and how to apply

Most people use a combination of utility company options, government programs, and local nonprofits. The sequence below helps you cover all three.

1. Start with your utility company

Call the customer service number on your electric bill.
Ask: “Can you check if I qualify for any assistance programs, discounts, or payment arrangements?”
Common options utilities may offer:
- Payment plan or deferred payment arrangement to spread what you owe over several months.
- Budget billing / balanced billing to keep monthly payments more predictable.
- Low-income or medical protection programs, which may delay shut-offs or provide discounts if someone in the home has qualifying medical needs.
- Utility-sponsored assistance funds funded by donations or company contributions, often for short‑term crises.
What to expect next:
The utility representative typically notes your account, may pause disconnection temporarily, and will tell you if they require a signed payment agreement, a partial payment, or an application for special assistance funds.

2. Apply for LIHEAP or your state’s main energy assistance program

Find your local LIHEAP/energy assistance office.
- Search online for “[your state] energy assistance LIHEAP apply”, or
- Call 2‑1‑1 and ask for energy/utility assistance intake locations. These offices are often community action agencies, social service departments, or tribal programs.
Choose how to apply (varies by state/agency):
- Online portal through your state’s or county’s official site.
- By phone with an intake worker who schedules an appointment.
- In person at a community action agency or local social service office.
- By mail or drop box, using a printed application with copies of documents.
Submit your application and documents.
Follow the instructions exactly, attach all pages of your bill, and make sure your household members and income are listed accurately.
What to expect next:
- Many offices give a confirmation number or appointment date.
- Processing can take days to several weeks, especially in busy seasons; approval is not guaranteed.
- If approved, payment is usually sent directly to your utility, and you may see a credit on your bill rather than cash in your hand.

3. Look for local emergency or charity help (especially with shut-off notices)

If you have a shut-off date within days or your service is already disconnected, LIHEAP alone may not act quickly enough.

Call 2‑1‑1 (or visit your state’s 211 website) and ask for:
- “Emergency electric bill assistance”
- “Crisis energy assistance”
- “Shut-off prevention programs near me.”
They may refer you to:
- County human services or social services departments.
- Local faith-based organizations or community nonprofits with small emergency grant funds.
- Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, or similar agencies, if active in your area.
What to expect next:
These programs often require proof of the shut-off notice, a brief intake interview, and sometimes coordination with your utility to confirm the amount needed to prevent disconnection.

Common snags (and quick fixes)

Applications delayed for missing documents: Double‑check the document list; if you are unsure, call the office and ask, “What specific documents do you still need to work on my case?”
Cannot reach the office by phone: Try calling right when they open, or ask 2‑1‑1 if there is another intake site that handles your area.
Online portal errors or lockouts: Take a screenshot or write down any error message, then contact the agency’s IT helpdesk or main line and say, “I’m trying to submit an energy assistance application online and I’m getting this error.”
Utility says they never got payment from assistance: Request the payment confirmation or pledge letter from the program and give a copy or reference number to the utility’s billing department.

Avoid mistakes and watch for utility assistance scams

Any time money or benefits are involved, scam attempts are common, especially around shut-off threats.

Red flags and how to protect yourself:

Someone guarantees approval or says they can “wipe your bill clean” for a fee. Legitimate programs might help but never guarantee outcomes.
You are asked to pay an upfront “processing fee” by gift card, cryptocurrency, or payment apps to “unlock” assistance.
A caller claims to be your utility and demands immediate payment or banking details, threatening shut-off within an hour if you don’t comply.

Safer practices:

Call the utility number printed on your bill to verify any shut-off or payment demand.
Apply only through official .gov websites, known community agencies, or your utility’s verified website/phone number.
If someone offers help in exchange for personal details in a public place or on social media, treat it with suspicion and verify with 2‑1‑1 or your local social services office.

If your application is denied or not enough to fix the bill

Denials and partial awards are common; you can typically still take a few steps to reduce the risk of losing service.

Ask for the reason in writing.
Common reasons include income too high, missing documents, incomplete application, or out-of-funds for the season.
Request to correct or appeal if allowed.
Some programs let you submit missing documents, clarify income, or appeal within a short deadline; ask, “Is there an appeal or reconsideration process?”
Re‑contact your utility.
Share that you applied but were denied or only partially helped and ask, “Given this decision, can we adjust my payment plan or extend my shut-off date?”
Explore additional options:
- Weatherization or energy efficiency programs (often run alongside LIHEAP) to reduce future bills.
- Local rent and utility assistance through your state’s housing or emergency assistance programs, listed on most state government portals under “Housing” or “Human Services.”

By working through your utility, your state or local energy assistance office, and community programs, you typically give yourself the best chance of finding at least some help—even if no single program covers the entire bill.