How to Get Help Paying Your Electric Bill

Need help paying your electric bill? You’re not alone. We’re constantly getting messages from low income Americans who need help paying their electric bill and aren’t sure where to turn.

In this article, we will break down the major nationwide programs that can help you pay your electric bill. We’ll recommend a few charities that may be able to help you, and we’ll also reveal the programs that your local utility offers that can help. Many people don’t know this, but electric companies across America have amazing assistance programs that help low income people get discounts on their service!

After all, I have a lot of personal experience getting help paying for electric bills. When I bought my house back in 2015, I was suddenly faced with power bills that were over $1,000 per month! I was shocked and I couldn’t afford it… so I called our utility company and asked for help. I discovered TONS of programs that I never knew existed!

The company even sent a representative who evaluated our home, recommended cost-saving measures and even gave us two free shower-heads and about a dozen free LED light bulbs! The representative also told us how we could get a new refrigerator and washing machine absolutely free.

About a year later, we discovered another program offered through our local Community Action Council that installed over $18,000 in FREE home improvements and energy-efficiency products (including a new air conditioner). Around that time, we also received around $2,000 in pledges to help pay our bills.

These programs were a lifesaver for my family. That’s why I’m so excited to share them with you!

Government Assistance Programs

Government assistance programs are the first place you should turn if you need help paying your electric bill. These programs can pay money toward your bill to help reduce the amount you owe.

As an added benefit, many companies will suspend their collection and disconnection efforts while you pursue help from a government assistance program. If you tell them you’re applying for help, it can help buy you time before your utilities are shut off.

LIHEAP

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps low-income families pay for their heating and cooling bills. It offers grants that you don’t have to pay back, helping you avoid getting your power shut off and handle high energy costs.

To get this help, you need to contact the LIHEAP agency in your area. That’s usually your local Community Action Agency. They will verify your income, family size and other eligibility details.

It’s important to apply early since the program has limited funds and helps people on a first-come, first-served basis. You can apply through your state’s LIHEAP office or a local agency. If you’re in danger of losing your power, LIHEAP might also offer quick help to keep your services running.

Weatherization Assistance Program

The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) helps low-income families make their homes more energy-efficient. This program provides services to improve home energy use, which can lead to lower utility bills and a more comfortable living environment. Improvements may include adding insulation, sealing leaks, and updating heating and cooling systems.

Eligibility is based on income, and priority is often given to families with elderly members, individuals with disabilities, and families with children. The program is free for those who qualify, and it’s run by local agencies in each state.

Applying through your local weatherization agency can help make your home more energy-efficient and save money on energy costs in the long run. You can usually apply for this program at the same time you apply for LIHEAP, which makes it very easy.

Charities that Pay Electric Bills

Although most of the charities and nonprofits that help pay your bill are local organizations and churches, there are a few well-known providers that exist all over the United States. You can usually count on these providers for help paying your electric bill.

Catholic Charities

Catholic Charities can often help with utility bills. There are Catholic Charities all over America, but each location operates their program a little differently.

In most areas, Catholic Charities offers help paying your electric bills so they don’t get shut off. If you need help, you can go to your local Catholic Charities office. They’ll ask you about how much money you make and other details to see if you qualify.

If you do, they usually provide money directly to the company you owe. They also offer advice on how to lower your bills in the future. This help is to make sure you have a safe and warm home without worrying too much about high bills. If you need help with your utility bills, it never hurts to reach out to Catholic Charities for assistance.

Salvation Army

Many Salvation Army chapters can provide help paying your electric bills, especially if you have a shut-off notice already. Like Catholic Charities, this organization operates in local chapters with varying services so it will depend on where you live.

If you need help with your electricity bill, it never hurts to ask Salvation Army if they can help or if they know where you can turn for help.

St. Vincent de Paul

Many St. Vincent de Paul parishes have funding available to help with crisis situations. To get help, you will usually need to have a shut-off notice already.

Funding from these churches is usually limited to $150 or less, and you often need to have already secured the rest of the money you need before they will pay the remainder.

211

When all else fails, you can usually call 211 to find more agencies that provide help paying your electric bill. If you live in New York City, the number is actually 311.

This will connect you to the United Way’s helpline. You’ll be connected with trained volunteers who have access to a detailed resource directory. They can help you find any agencies in your area that can assist with your specific needs.

Company Discounts & Local Assistance Programs

There are a number of ways that you can get a discount on your electricity bill. However, these programs usually aren’t widely advertised and you often have to ask about them.

For example, many companies offer programs that can help you pay your electric bill. These include discounts for seniors, veterans, and low income customers all over the United States. There are also local assistance programs and small local charities that may be able to help you pay your bill.

That’s why I’ve been on a mission to research and write about every power company in the US. I’ve discovered all sorts of helpful programs during my research, including monthly discounts, free weatherization programs, moratoriums that prevent your electricity from being disconnected, programs that forgive your past-due balance and so much more!

Choose your state from the list below to find out about all the ways you can get help paying your electric bill:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut (Eversource)
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii (HELCO)
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
  • Baltimore Gas and Electric 
  • Delmarva
  • Green Mountain Energy
  • Just Energy
  • PEPCO
  • Potomac Edison
  • Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
  • CenterPoint Energy
  • Connexus Energy
  • MN Power
  • Otter Tail Power
  • XCel Energy
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• Washington DC (PEPCO)
• West Virginia
  • American Electric Power (AEP)
  • Dominion Energy
  • Mon Power
  • Potomoc Edison
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Relief Recap

This article serves as a central directory for all the ways that you can get help paying with your electric bill. We provided an overview of the nationwide programs that are available to assist you and included a link to our local resource directories, which provide comprehensive lists of government, nonprofit and corporate programs that can help you pay your electric bills.