How To Get Help Paying Your Electric Bill

If you’re struggling to pay your electric bill, you can usually get help through a mix of utility company programs, government assistance, and local charities that focus on energy costs. HowToGetAssistance.org is an informational site only; you must use official agency and utility channels to apply or make changes to your account.

Most people start with three paths at the same time: contact your electric utility, check if you qualify for LIHEAP or a similar state program, and call 211 to locate local bill assistance funds and charities in your area.

Key Types of Electric Bill Assistance

Most assistance options fall into a few common categories and can often be combined:

Shutoff prevention or reconnection help – temporary help to avoid or undo a disconnection.
One-time crisis payments – a lump sum toward a past-due bill.
Ongoing bill credits or discounts – monthly reduced rates for households with low income, seniors, or people with disabilities.
Budget billing / payment plans – spreads higher seasonal bills into lower, predictable payments.

A major federal program is the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which typically helps with heating and sometimes cooling costs, including electric bills in many states; you can find your local LIHEAP office through the federal LIHEAP Office Locator on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services site.

Many electric utilities also run “customer assistance” or “hardship” programs that can include payment arrangements, late fee waivers, or special funding partnered with nonprofits, so it is usually worth calling your provider even if you think you might not qualify for government help.

What You’ll Need Ready Before You Ask for Help

You typically need to prove who you are, where you live, your income, and what you owe. Having documents ready can speed things up and reduce the chance of delays.

Commonly requested items include:

Photo ID – state ID, driver’s license, or other government-issued ID.
Proof of address – your lease, recent mail, or the electric bill itself with your name and address.
Proof of income for everyone in the household – pay stubs, benefit award letters, unemployment documents, or other income records for the most recent 30–60 days.
Your current electric bill – especially if it shows a shutoff notice or disconnection date.
Social Security numbers or other ID numbers – for you and sometimes for other household members, where required.

Terms to know (plain language):

Shutoff / disconnection notice: Warning from the utility that your power will be turned off on a certain date if you don’t pay.
Arrearage: The total amount you are behind on your bill.
Payment arrangement: An agreement to pay your past-due balance over time while keeping current bills paid.
Crisis assistance: Emergency help when you are out of power or at risk of immediate shutoff.

If you do not have all documents, it’s still usually worth calling the utility and the assistance office right away; they can often tell you which items are absolutely required now and which you can submit later.

Your Next Steps: Who To Contact and In What Order

Program names and offices vary by state and county, but the steps below outline how the process typically works and how to find the correct agency.

1. Call your electric utility first

Call the customer service number on your bill and say: “I’m having trouble paying. I need to know what payment arrangements or assistance programs are available.”
Ask about:
- Payment plans or installments on your past-due balance.
- Hardship or customer assistance programs run directly by the utility.
- Whether they partner with local charities or community agencies that help pay electric bills.
What to expect next: They may set up a temporary arrangement immediately by phone and give you contact information for agencies that can offer direct payment help; get names, phone numbers, and any deadlines they mention in writing if possible.

In some states, utilities must offer special protections (for example, during extreme weather or for medical needs), so explicitly mention if you have a medical device that requires power, children, or elderly people in the household.

2. Check if you qualify for LIHEAP or state energy assistance

Find your local LIHEAP office using the official LIHEAP Office Locator on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services site (search for “LIHEAP state contacts HHS” on a trusted .gov page).
Look for eligibility clues such as:
- Household income at or below a percentage of the federal poverty level (often around 150%–200%, but it varies).
- High energy burden, meaning a large share of your income goes to utilities.
- Recent shutoff notice or disconnected service for some crisis programs.
Apply through the official local agency, which is often a community action agency, social services department, or tribal program. You may be asked to apply online, in person, or by mail depending on your area.
What to expect next: Processing times differ; some crisis applications are reviewed faster, especially when a shutoff is imminent. You will typically be told whether payment will go directly to the utility and how much they may cover, but no outcome is guaranteed.

If you can’t tell which office serves your address, call your county’s Department of Social Services or Human Services and ask, “Which office handles LIHEAP or electric bill assistance for my address?”

3. Call 211 and local charities

Dial 211 or visit the official 211.org site to find local organizations that help with utility bills.
Ask specifically about:
- Electric bill assistance or utility shutoff prevention funds.
- Emergency financial assistance for rent and utilities.
They may refer you to:
- Local community action agencies.
- Salvation Army or faith-based organizations.
- City or county emergency relief funds.
What to expect next: These programs often have limited funding and strict windows (for example, only after you have a shutoff notice), and they may require an appointment or phone intake.

Quick Summary: Getting Electric Bill Assistance

Do this next: Call your electric utility to ask for payment arrangements and assistance referrals.
Apply for LIHEAP or state energy help through your local community action or social services agency if your income is low.
Call 211 to locate local charities and emergency funds for utility bills.
Have ID, proof of address, proof of income, and your current electric bill ready.
Watch for scams: real agencies do not charge large “processing fees” or demand gift card payments.
If denied, ask in writing why and whether you can reapply or appeal.

Avoid Mistakes and Utility Assistance Scams

Because this topic involves money and personal information, it is important to approach offers of help carefully and use official channels whenever possible.

Common snags (and quick fixes)

Applications get delayed when income proof is missing or outdated → gather pay stubs or benefit letters covering the most recent 30–60 days for everyone in the household.
People often get stuck when they call the wrong agency for their county → confirm you are using the office that serves your exact address by asking your county’s social services or using official locators.
Help can be denied when a payment arrangement with the utility is broken → if you cannot keep an arrangement, call the utility before you miss a payment to see if they can adjust it.

To avoid scams and misuse of your information:

Use only official numbers and websites for your utility, LIHEAP, and 211 (look for .gov or the phone number printed on your bill).
Be cautious of anyone who promises guaranteed approval, requests upfront fees, or asks you to pay your bill through gift cards, payment apps, or cryptocurrency; legitimate agencies typically pay the utility directly.
Do not share full Social Security numbers or bank information over text, social media, or email with unknown organizations; real agencies usually collect this through secure online portals, in person, or by phone after you initiate contact.

If something feels off, you can usually verify by calling your utility directly and asking if they partner with the organization offering help.

If You’re Denied or Still Behind After Getting Help

Sometimes assistance only covers part of a balance, or an application is denied because you are just above income limits, applied too late, or funding has run out.

If that happens, you can still take steps:

Ask for the reason in writing. This can clarify whether the issue is income, missing documents, program rules, or timing.
Check for an appeal or reapplication option. Some programs allow you to appeal or reapply with more documentation, especially if your situation has changed.
Renegotiate with your utility. Explain what assistance you received or attempted. Ask: “Given this, what is the lowest monthly payment plan you can offer to prevent shutoff?”
Look for seasonal or special protections. Some states have extra protections during heat waves, winter, or for medically vulnerable customers; your state public utility commission (PUC) or consumer advocate office, usually on a state .gov site, often explains these rules.
Review your usage. Ask your utility to check for billing errors or unusually high usage, and whether they offer free energy audits or low-cost efficiency upgrades that can reduce future bills.

If applications stall or you can’t get clarity, a local legal aid office or consumer advocacy group may offer free guidance about your rights in utility shutoff situations, especially for low-income households.

By contacting your utility, LIHEAP or state energy program, and 211/local charities in a focused way, and by preparing key documents in advance, you significantly improve your chances of getting timely assistance with your electric bill, even though no specific approval or outcome is guaranteed.