Where To Get Help Paying Your Electric Bill

If you’re behind on your electric bill or worried you won’t be able to pay the next one, there are several places you can typically turn for help, including government programs, your electric company, and local charities.

HowToGetAssistance.org is an informational site only; to apply or make changes to your account you must use official government or provider channels.

State rules and local options vary, so you’ll usually need to start with your state or local assistance office, your electric utility, and 211 to see what applies where you live.

Fast Answer: Main Places To Look For Electric Bill Assistance

Most households that get help with electric bills get it from one or more of these sources:

Federal/State energy assistance (LIHEAP) – Helps low-income households with heating and cooling costs, including electric.
Your electric utility’s hardship or discount programs – Payment plans, deposit waivers, shut-off protections, or bill credits.
State or local emergency assistance – One-time crisis funds when you’re facing shutoff or already disconnected.
Community organizations and charities – Churches, Salvation Army, Community Action Agencies, and local nonprofits.
Weatherization and energy-efficiency programs – Reduce bills over time by improving your home’s energy use.

A simple starting point is to call 211 (or visit the official 211 website) and say you need help with your electric bill; they typically give local referrals based on your ZIP code.

Key Terms You’ll See (Plainly Explained)

LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) – Federal program, run by states, that helps pay energy bills or prevent shutoffs.
Crisis assistance – Emergency help when you’re disconnected or have a shutoff notice.
Payment arrangement – Agreement with your utility to pay what you owe over time instead of all at once.
Shutoff protection – Temporary rules that stop or delay disconnection, sometimes for medical or extreme weather reasons.

Knowing these terms helps when you’re talking to your utility or a local agency about electric bill help.

Does Electric Bill Assistance Apply To You?

You do not have to be on public benefits already to get help, but most programs focus on households with low or limited income. Common eligibility clues:

Low income for your household size (often at or below 150–200% of the Federal Poverty Level, but this varies by state).
Recent job loss, reduced hours, or other hardship making it hard to pay your bill.
Past-due balance, shutoff notice, or recent disconnection from your electric provider.
High energy burden (a big share of your income goes to utilities), or elderly, disabled, or young children in the household.

To see if you might qualify for LIHEAP and related help in your area, you can find your state’s LIHEAP office through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ LIHEAP Local Office Finder on the official acf.hhs.gov website.

What You’ll Need Ready Before You Ask For Help

Most programs ask for similar information so they can verify your household and income. Commonly required items include:

Photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, or other government-issued ID).
Social Security numbers (or other accepted identifiers) for household members, if required in your state.
Proof of income for everyone in the home (recent pay stubs, unemployment benefits letter, Social Security award letter, or other income proof).
Your most recent electric bill showing your account number, current charges, and any past-due amount.
Rent or mortgage information (lease, mortgage statement, or proof of residency).
Shutoff notice or disconnection notice, if you have one (often needed for crisis funds).

Common snags (and quick fixes)

Applications often get delayed when a page of the electric bill or income proof is missing → double-check that you send all pages.
People frequently get stuck when they submit screenshots instead of full documents → use full PDF scans or clear photos of the entire document.
Another common issue is outdated pay stubs → most programs want income from the last 30–60 days, so gather current documents.

Your Next Steps: How To Actually Seek Help

Use this sequence to organize your search and reduce back-and-forth.

1. Contact Your Electric Utility First

Call the customer service number on your bill and say clearly: “I’m struggling to pay my electric bill and need to ask about assistance programs or payment options.”
Ask if they offer:
- Payment plans or extended arrangements.
- Budget billing (averaging payments across the year).
- Low-income discounts or hardship programs.
- Shutoff protection for seniors, people with serious medical conditions, or during extreme weather.
What to expect next: They may set up a payment arrangement during the call, direct you to an application form (online or mail), or refer you to local agencies that administer assistance funds.

Utilities often have special teams or “customer assistance” departments; if the first person doesn’t seem aware, you can say, “Can you connect me with your payment assistance or hardship department?”

2. Check Federal/State Assistance (LIHEAP and Crisis Help)

Find your local LIHEAP agency through the official LIHEAP office locator on acf.hhs.gov or through your state’s human services or social services department website.
Review how to apply: online portal, phone, mail, or in-person; each state sets its own process and dates.
Look for regular LIHEAP (bill help) and crisis assistance (shutoff/urgent situations).
What to expect next: You may get an appointment date, be asked to submit documents, or join a waiting list if funds are limited; if approved, payment is typically sent directly to your electric company, not to you.

Note that funding is limited and not guaranteed, especially late in the season, and programs can close temporarily when money runs out.

3. Call 211 and Local Community Agencies

Dial 211 (in most areas) or visit the official 211 website and search by ZIP code for “utility assistance” or “electric bill assistance.”
Ask for local programs currently open for electric or utility help, including:
- Community Action Agencies.
- Salvation Army or similar citywide relief agencies.
- Faith-based or neighborhood organizations that offer one-time bill help.
What to expect next: You may receive a list of phone numbers, application links, or instructions to visit an office or community event; some programs only help once per year or require appointments.

4. Look Into Weatherization and Efficiency Programs

Ask your LIHEAP or local assistance office about Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) or similar state programs.
These programs typically provide free home improvements that reduce electric use, such as sealing air leaks, improving insulation, or upgrading certain equipment where eligible.
What to expect next: There may be a waitlist and an energy audit before any work is approved; savings show up over time in lower bills, not as immediate cash assistance.

Quick Summary: Where To Turn For Electric Bill Help

Start with your electric utility for payment plans, hardship programs, and shutoff protections.
Check LIHEAP and crisis assistance through your state’s energy assistance or human services office.
Use 211 to find local charities and Community Action Agencies offering one-time bill help.
Gather documents early: ID, Social Security numbers (if required), pay stubs, and your latest electric bill.
Ask about weatherization to reduce future bills.
Never pay “fees” to apply; real programs don’t charge for applications.

Avoid Mistakes and Electric Bill Assistance Scams

Because electric bill help involves money and personal information, scam attempts are common. A few safety rules:

Do not pay any “processing fee” or “expedited approval fee” to get utility assistance; legitimate government and charity programs do not charge to apply.
Be cautious of texts, emails, or social media messages claiming you were “selected” for a utility grant if you send gift cards or wire money.
Always confirm that a program is connected to a known agency, such as your county’s social services, a Community Action Agency, Salvation Army, or your utility.
Give your account number only to your utility or an officially listed partner, not to individuals who contact you out of the blue.
If unsure, you can call your utility company directly and ask whether a particular assistance program or agency is legitimate.

If an online application looks unofficial, check that the site is linked from a .gov page or from your utility’s official website before entering personal information.

If You’re Denied or Still Short After Getting Help

Not everyone who applies is approved, and even approved help may not cover everything owed. Options that may still be available:

Ask your utility to revisit your payment plan, especially if your situation has changed; in some states, utilities must offer “reasonable” arrangements.
Request information on medical or hardship protections if someone in your home has a qualifying condition; this may pause or limit shutoffs with proper documentation.
Re-contact 211 periodically, as some local programs open and close depending on funding cycles.
Ask your LIHEAP or local assistance office if there are appeal or review options if you believe your income or situation was misunderstood.

If you can’t get through by phone, one practical approach is to look up your county’s human services or Community Action Agency website, check listed office hours, and, if safe and possible, visit in person with your documents so staff can point you to any active utility assistance options.