The electric bill can be a budget-buster when you’re surviving on a low income. Fortunately, your power company can usually help. There are several unknown or little-advertised programs that power companies may offer that can help lower the cost of your power bill.
Most power companies offer a budget billing plan, which averages the annual cost of electricity in a home and bills the customer in 12 even installments. This can help low-income customers maintain a budget and avert payment problems, especially during the more expensive winter months.
Some companies even offer free energy-efficiency improvements (including free LED light bulbs!), free weatherization upgrades and even payment assistance programs!
Just click the link below to find out what discounts, rebates and other money-saving programs are offered by YOUR local utility company!
Duke Energy
Is your Duke Energy bill too much for you to handle? We found ways to get help paying your bill, lowering the amount you owe in back payments and even making your bill easier to pay throughout the year. Check out budget billing and payment arrangements to get help. Click here.
Edisto Electric
If your Edisto Electric bill is getting out of control, you might be able to find help with the resources we found. You could get help with budget billing, payment arrangments and community resources to pay your bill. See everything we found here.
Laurens Electric Cooperative
Are you a member of Laurens Electric Cooperative? You might have options for paying your bill! You could get help with the bill payments, with arrangements and with budget billing. Members of electric co-ops also get unique benefits like capital credits just for being a member. To see everything we found for Laurens Electric Cooperative, click here.
Lockhart Power
If you’re struggling with your SC power bills and you’re a Lockhart Power customer, there might be options for you! We found free things you can get to lower your energy, options for paying an overdue bill and so much more! Check it all out right here.
SCE&G
Don’t let your SCE&G bill continue busting your budget! You have options. We found ways you can lower your bill through their unique programs while also saving money for other expenses. You might also be able to get help using state and community resources. Check out this article for more information.
Get other free stuff in South Carolina!
Don’t see your electric company?
Leave us a comment and we’ll add it to our research list!
Hello,I live in Walterboro sc and I didn’t see coastal electric on your list… if you can send any information ab getting help with my light bill that would be awesome! Also wanna say thanks and we appreciate all that you do to do all this research and get information to help people!! So thank you very much for your time and dedication!!!!!
Thank you so much for your kind words—we truly appreciate you!
If you’re a Coastal Electric Cooperative customer in Walterboro, SC, help may be available through their Operation Round Up program, which provides emergency assistance for utility bills. You can reach out to them directly to ask about eligibility and how to apply. It’s also a good idea to call 211, as they can connect you with local churches or nonprofits that help with light bills.
We’re wishing you the very best and hope you’re able to get the support you need!
I don’t see Pee Dee electric co-op on the list..
Have you looked into this?
http://peedeeelectric.com/community/operation-round-up.aspx
I have been trying to qualify for lieheap funds for months. In my county they do not answer the phone in the office and do not return calls when left a message. I went into the office at the end of August and was told funds had run out, come back in early September. I went back today, the second business day in September and was told they will call me in 2 days to let me know if funds are available. I was also told that I need to pay nearly $1000 out of pocket before they can pay anything at all. Every time I go there the rules have changed, or I’m hearing about a new rule. I never experienced this frustration in the state I moved from 3 years ago. My house needs wiring repairs. There are only 2 rooms downstairs that have power, the kitchen and bedroom. I really need help.
They can run out of funds fast!
Here are some other possible options: https://lowincomerelief.com/free-home-repair-grants/
Thank you so much for this information. I am a mother of eleven children all under 18 all living in my home. Though my husband works, as you can imagine with such a large family, we are still a very low income family. We have utilized a couple of the programs offered in South Carolina but we’re unaware of so much assistance that we qualify for. We’re currently in the process of purchasing our home with 8 more years of payments to go, can’t wait to be able to qualify for the home improvement benefits!
I see a Mid Carolina Electric Co-op request in the Comments section, but I don’t see anything listed on it yet.
Dave
Hi Dave. Have you seen this part of their website? https://www.mcecoop.com/my-account/payment-assistance/
Blue Ridge electric co-op in Oconee County. Thanks!
Hi Ginny. Here are the resources the power company suggests: https://blueridge.coop/financial-assistance
I live in South Carolina and don’t see my power company, but thank you so much
Hey there! Any information for Lynches River Electrical Co OP? I would surely appreciate it! Having really hard times and I am on 24/7 oxygen concentrator, and breathing treatments several times a day,, and that still won’t be taken into consideration for a bill extension or anything. I am not asking them to disregard the bill, just extra time to pay it! And if you miss that deadline by one day, you can’t get an extension for 3 months… it’s just really sad…
Hi Jane. We don’t have anything on them yet. It may be worth contacting them directly to see if they have any discounts or know of any programs to help with utilities.