Where to Get Help With Your Electric and Utility Bills

If you’re behind on your electric or other utility bills, you usually have more options than just waiting for a shutoff notice. This guide walks through where people commonly get utility assistance and how to start.

HowToGetAssistance.org is an informational site only; you must use official agencies and providers to apply or make changes to your account.

Fast Answer: Main Places to Look for Utility Assistance

Most households who get help with electric or utility bills find it through a mix of government programs, utility company programs, and local charities or nonprofits.

Here are the most common sources:

State energy assistance offices that run LIHEAP and similar programs
Your electric, gas, water, or internet company’s own assistance or payment plan programs
Local nonprofits, churches, and community action agencies offering emergency help
County or city human services departments that manage crisis funds or rent/utility aid
211 helpline for a tailored list of programs in your area

Do this next:Call or visit your utility company’s website first, then contact your state’s LIHEAP/energy assistance office and dial 211 to see what else is available locally.

Key Types of Utility Assistance Programs

Most support falls into a few categories; knowing which ones exist helps you ask for the right thing.

1. Federal & State Energy Assistance (LIHEAP and similar)

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is the main federal program that helps low‑income households with heating and cooling bills, and sometimes crisis shutoff prevention or minor energy-related repairs.

LIHEAP is run by state or tribal energy assistance offices, not by your utility company. You can find your local office through the U.S. LIHEAP site by searching for “Find my LIHEAP office” on the official LIHEAP – U.S. Department of Health & Human Services website.

Typical LIHEAP help includes:

One-time payments sent directly to your utility company
Crisis assistance to stop a shutoff or restore service
In some states, weatherization referrals to lower future bills

Funding and rules vary by state, and money can run out before the end of the season, so it’s best to apply as early as you can each year.

2. Utility Company Programs

Most major electric, gas, and water companies offer at least one of these:

Budget billing / levelized billing – evens out bills over the year
Extended payment arrangements – spreads a past-due balance over several months
Income-based or discounted rates – lower per‑kWh or service charges for eligible customers
Emergency hardship funds – sometimes funded by customer donations and managed by nonprofits

These programs are usually handled by the utility’s customer service or “consumer assistance” department, not by government offices.

3. Local Nonprofits, Churches, and Charities

Local help often comes from:

Community action agencies
Faith-based organizations (churches, mosques, synagogues)
Salvation Army or similar charities
Local United Way–affiliated partners

These groups typically provide one-time emergency payments directly to the utility to stop a shutoff, often for households that already have a shutoff notice or very low income.

4. Housing and Social Service Programs

Some rental assistance, homelessness prevention, or TANF/SNAP-related programs allow part of the benefit to cover utility arrears. This is commonly administered by:

County or city Departments of Human Services / Social Services
Public housing authorities or housing stability offices

Workers in these offices can often refer you to both housing and utility-specific programs.

“Does This Apply to Me?” – Basic Eligibility Clues

Exact rules differ by state and program, but you’re more likely to qualify for assistance if:

Your household income is at or below a set percentage of the Federal Poverty Level (for many programs, around 150%–200% of FPL, but this varies).
You have a shutoff notice, disconnection, or serious past-due balance.
Someone in the household is elderly, disabled, or a young child, which some programs prioritize.
You already receive benefits such as SNAP, SSI, TANF, or certain housing assistance.

No program can guarantee approval, but meeting one or more of these conditions usually improves your chances.

What You’ll Need Ready Before You Apply

Having documents organized reduces delays and missing-paperwork issues.

Commonly required documents:

Photo ID (for at least one adult in the household)
Proof of address (lease, utility bill, or official mail)
Proof of income for all adults (pay stubs, benefit award letters, unemployment, etc.)
Most recent utility bill and shutoff or disconnect notice if you received one
Social Security numbers or other ID numbers for household members, if requested

Terms to know (plain language):

Shutoff/Disconnect notice: Letter from the utility saying when service will be turned off if not paid.
Arrears: The amount you’re already behind on your bill.
Crisis assistance: Extra help when shutoff is very close or has already happened.
Payment arrangement: A plan to pay your past-due balance over time in set monthly amounts.

Your Next Steps: How to Actually Get Help

Because programs vary by state and even by county, there’s no single application point. The steps below outline a practical order that usually works.

Step 1: Contact Your Utility Company

Call customer service as soon as you know you can’t pay in full.
- You can say: “I’m struggling to pay my bill. What payment plans or assistance programs are available for my account?”
Ask about:
- Payment arrangements to spread your balance over time
- Any low‑income or senior discounts
- Any hardship fund or assistance program they partner with

What to expect next: They may set up a payment plan right away and give you contact info for partner agencies or charities.

Step 2: Check for LIHEAP or State Energy Assistance

Find your state or tribal LIHEAP office via the official federal LIHEAP website (search “LIHEAP contact [your state]”).
Call or visit their site to see:
- If they are currently accepting applications
- Income limits and who qualifies as “priority”
- How to apply (online, by mail, or in person)

What to expect next: If approved, payment typically goes directly to your utility company, and it may take several weeks or more to post; many offices can confirm whether a payment has been authorized but cannot speed up processing.

Step 3: Dial 211 for Local Assistance Listings

Call 211 from your phone or visit your state or local 211 website.
Ask specifically for “utility assistance programs in my ZIP code” or “agencies that help with electric shutoff notices.”

What to expect next: They will usually give you names, phone numbers, and basic eligibility notes for nonprofits and local agencies; you will then need to contact each one directly.

Step 4: Contact Local Agencies and Nonprofits

Start with agencies that 211 or your utility company mentioned.
When you call, be ready to give:
- Your utility provider’s name
- Total amount past due
- Shutoff date, if any
- Household size and income

What to expect next: Some groups schedule an intake appointment; others work on a first-come, first-served basis and stop once funds are out for the day or month.

Real-World Friction to Watch For

A common reason applications get delayed is missing documentation, especially proof of income for every adult in the household; agencies often cannot move your case forward until everything is provided. Another frequent snag is calling programs only once and assuming there are no funds, when in reality funding cycles open and close throughout the year, so checking back periodically can matter.

Avoid Mistakes and Utility Assistance Scams

Where there is money or bill help involved, scams are common; staying cautious protects your identity and your benefits.

Never pay a “fee” to apply for LIHEAP, state programs, or charity assistance—legitimate programs do not charge application fees.
Do not share Social Security numbers or full account details with anyone who called, texted, or messaged you first claiming to be from a utility or government office; instead, hang up and call the number on your bill or the official .gov site.
Be wary of anyone promising “guaranteed approval” or instant disconnection removal for a flat fee; legitimate agencies cannot promise specific outcomes or timelines.
Use only official portals for online applications—look for .gov domains for government programs or the exact website listed on your bill for your utility.
If someone threatens immediate arrest, police contact, or payment only by gift card or cryptocurrency, it is almost certainly a scam.

If you’re unsure whether a program is real, you can ask your utility company, state energy office, or 211 to confirm.

If These Options Don’t Work at First

Sometimes households are denied or told funds are not available; that does not always mean there is no path forward.

Ask for the reason in writing if you are denied by LIHEAP or a local program; sometimes you can reapply with complete documents or after your income changes.
Ask your utility if they can extend or modify your payment arrangement based on what you realistically can pay.
Check if another adult in the household can apply separately for certain programs (rules vary).
Re-contact 211 periodically; they often know when new funding cycles open or when seasonal programs (like winter moratoriums or summer cooling programs) start.

Because assistance programs change and funding comes and goes, the most reliable strategy is to stay in regular contact with your utility company, your state energy assistance office, and 211 until your account is stabilized.