Locate resources in the state of Texas for utility bill assistance and help with electric bills.
Maximum utility assistance provided by the state of Texas.
Heating reimbursement: $704 average; $1,200 maximum
Cooling: reimbursement $739 average; $1,200 maximum
Also, there numerous mortgage refinancing and housing assistance programs for homeowners in Texas. Select the Help With Mortgage link on the left margin and then proceed to Help with Mortgage for more resources.
Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP)
The Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) is a utility assistance program if you need assistance with utility bills. CEAP was designed to assist households with a financial emergency and low income households with meeting their immediate energy needs and to also encourage consumers to lower and control energy costs for future years by providing energy education. The CEAP program involves integration of all the various LIHEAP programs, which thereby enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of the services provided to clients and also eliminating duplication of services.
Electric Bill Help and Rate Assistance Provided by the state of Texas.
Texas offers a summer discount from about June to October of each year that can help with electric bills by providing a discount to lower utility bills. The program is called Lite Up Texas.
In addition, there are programs for Texas households that are currently receiving Food Stamps and/or Medicaid assistance. These customers and houses will automatically be included in the utility help program, but only if the information on file with the State of Texas Health and Human Services Commission matches the information on file with the household’s Retail Electric Provider. In order to obtain electric bill help, be sure your information is updated and accurate with both your utility company and the State of Texas.
Call the state at 1-800-241-7011 to apply for assistance or for further information.
Low-Income Energy Efficiency
The electric bill competition law formed a System Benefit Fund in Texas, part of which is used to help finance energy efficiency programs. The financing will help customers by lowering their utility bills. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) oversees energy efficiency programs in coordination with existing weatherization programs. Utility companies develop standard offer programs that will install energy efficiency measures that include: compact fluorescent light bulbs, refrigerator and air-conditioner lease-purchase programs, and water-flow restrictors (low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators) provided free of charge.
Lite-Up Texas Assistance Program
Effective July through October of each year, low-income or financially struggling customers are eligible for a summer discount. Households that are currently receiving Medicaid or Food Stamps will automatically be included in this help program. Those with total household income lower than the eligible threshold may also apply for help with electric bills.
Atmos Energy - Keeping the Warmth provides a limited amount of energy saving improvements to Texas families. Improvements such weather-stripping, additional insulation, caulking, and more. In addition, they offer Sharing the Warmth. This is a charity program to help pay gas bills. Click here for more on Sharing the Warmth.
Austin Energy - A Low-Income Discount program waives the $6 utility bill service fee and can also provide customers a 50% reduction on their City of Austin Drainage fee. In addition, the Energy Home Improvements aid program provides energy saving improvements to Texas families. Improvements such as insulation, weather striping, and more. The last utility bill assistance program offered is the Customer assistance Program that provides additional grants to be used for utility bills.
Austin Energy, First Choice Power, Reliant, TXU Energy, TXU Sesco, West Texas Utilities- Lite-Up Texas is effective July through October, low income customers in Texas are eligible for a summer discount per the programs above.
Central Texas Electric Cooperative, Inc., Comanche Electric Cooperative, San Bernard Electric Cooperative, South Plains Electric Cooperative, United Cooperative Services all offer Operation Roundup. This is a general assistance fund for Texas families, and the grants can assist with a variety of bills, including medical, utility, rent, and more.
CPS Energy (San Antonio) - Provides assistance through the Residential Energy Assistance Partnership (REAP). This is a nonprofit foundation that helps needy families pay their cooling and utility bills. Another option is Project WARM to help with utility and cooling bills.
El Paso Electric - The Low Income Rider will stop the Residential Service Customer Charge from being billed.
Entergy Texas - Two programs are offered for Texas families. The Power to Care program provides short-term utility bill assistance and Beat The Heat provides fans to those in need to help them cool their homes.
New Braunfels Utilities - The Utility Bill Assistance Program assists with water, utility, and wastewater bills.
Public Service of San Antonio - Residential Energy Assistance Partnership (REAP) provides education to help Texas families lower their utility bills, and they also have some grants that assist with paying bills.
Reliant Energy - The CARE program assists with utility bills for those customers dealing with an unexpected, extreme hardship, such as loss of job, illness or death in the family.
Sam Houston Electric Cooperative - Offers the Helping Hands Program which helps with utility and heating bills.
Read the latest news on utility bills in Texas and find additional help. More.
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