You may be able to get help paying your electric bill in Vermont! We’ve found resources that can help you pay your past due balance, reduce your ongoing monthly bills and so much more. These services are available to low income residents throughout the state.
In this article, we’ll explore the government assistance programs that can help you as well as the local nonprofits that can help you catch up on your past-due balance.
Statewide Assistance Programs
No matter where you are located in the state, you may be able to get helping paying your electric bill from these benefit programs. You typically will need to provide proof of identity, residency and income when you apply. You will also be expected to provide your most recent utility bills to prove how much help you need.
Seasonal Energy Assistance
In Vermont, the LIHEAP program is called the Energy Assistance Program or the Seasonal Fuel Assistance Program. This program provides financial assistance for Green Mountain Power and Vermont Gas customers.
This program provides a 25% discount for Green Mountain Power customers and a 20% discount for Vermont Gas customers. That adds up to a lot of savings!
In order to be eligible for this relief, you will need to meet the following requirements:
- You must be a Vermont resident.
- You must have a residential utility account with either Green Mountain Power or Vermont Gas.
- You must have a gross monthly household income that is 185% or less of the Federal Poverty Level.
To apply for this program, you will need to follow these steps:
- Download the application from the Vermont DCF website (or call (800) 775-0516 to get one mailed to you).
- Fill out and sign the application.
- Attach a copy of your latest gas bill.
- Mail your completed application to this address: ADPC Economic Services Division, 280 State Drive, Waterbury VT 05671.
- Follow up on any requests for additional documentation that you receive.
Don’t forget that you will need to apply every year for this program. If you forget to reapply, your discount will expire and your bills will increase.
Weatherization Assistance Program
The Weatherization Assistance Program provides free energy improvements that can increase the comfort level of your home while also helping you save a lot of money on your monthly utility bills. When our family received WAP services, our bill decreased from about $600 per month to just $150 per month! It was incredible.
Through this program, you can receive about $10,000 in free home improvements. These improvements could include extra insulation, LED lightbulbs, replacement windows or other services that will help your home be more energy-efficient.
In order to be eligible for this program, you must be a Vermont resident and you cannot have received free weatherization services in the last 15 years. You must also meet ONE of the following requirements:
- You receive benefits from Seasonal Fuel Assistance (or Energy Assistance, described above).
- Someone in your household receives SSI benefits.
- At least one adult in your household received Reach up, Reach First, or Post-Secondary Education in the last 12 months.
- Your household meets income limits.
To apply for this program, you will need to follow these steps:
- Figure out which Community Action Agency serves your area.
- Download that agency’s application.
- Gather the required documentation, such as the Employment Income Verification Form.
- Submit your completed form to the address on the application.
Financial Assistance Options
If you need more help paying your electric bill in Vermont, there are local organizations that may be able to provide financial assistance to you.
Castleton Cares
Residents of Castleton and the surrounding area may be able to get financial help from Castleton Cares. This organization provides food boxes and funds for those who are struggling financially. They may be able to help you resolve your utility bill.
You can contact them by calling the office at (802) 468-2444 or by emailing [email protected].
Greater Bennington Community Services
Residents of the Greater Bennington Area may be able to get help from the GBCS Emergency Needs Fund. This fund helps people who are experiencing a temporary financial hardship pay for shelter, utilities and other essential expenses.
This fund is open to those who are in Southshire towns like Bennington, Glastenbury, Pownal, Readsboro, Searsburg, Shaftsbury, Stamford or Woodford.
Joint Urban Ministry Project (JUMP)
JUMP provides assistance to low income families who need help with utilities, groceries, clothing, and other essential household items. You can receive assistance from JUMP once every three months.
In 2023, Jump VT is only open on Thursdays between 9am and noon. They are located in Burlington.
Joseph’s House
Joseph’s House can assist with utility bill expenses, as well as bus passes, clothing, food assistance, laundry vouchers, hygiene items, baby items and more.
Their website does indicate that some services may have changed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic but it is not clear what services have been impacted or if they are still impacted at the time of this writing. After decades of researching programs like this, I’ve noticed that most of these organizations do not update their websites frequently so it can be hard to tell.
Listen Community Services
Listen Community Services provides financial assistance to those who live in the Upper Valley Region of Vermont. The organization provides help with heating and utilities through their Heating Helpers program. They can also help with fuel delivery.
In order to be eligible, you must meet income limits and live in their geographic boundaries. You will need to call them at (603) 448-4553 to get assistance.
Saint Ann Catholic Church
The Saint Ann Catholic Church can help residents of Milton with their heating bills and fuel deliveries. Assistance can only be provided once per year and is paid directly to the utility provider.
In order to be eligible, you must live within the Church’s geographic boundaries and meet other requirements. They generally expect you to have a disconnect or past-due notice before help will be provided.
Sheldon Methodist Church
According to 211, the Sheldon Methodist Church hosts a Food Shelf that offers assistance with food and utility payments to residents of the Church’s geographic area. The amount offered never exceeds $50 and you can only get help from them once per year.
You may be able to receive help if you live in Berkshire, Enosburg, Fairfield, Franklin, Highgate, Sheldon or the surrounding area.
If you would like to request assistance, you can connect with them on Facebook.
The Salvation Army
Certain Salvation Army locations offer emergency financial assistance for households that are facing disconnection. If you owe a past due balance to your Vermont utility company, you may be able to get help paying that amount so that you can avoid getting your service shut off.
In order to get this assistance, you will need to reach out to the Salvation Army location nearest you and ask about their Emergency Financial Assistance services. Sometimes, this program is called Temporary Financial Aid instead.
More Help
If you need help paying your electric bill in Vermont, then you may also be interested in these hardship grants we’ve found. You can use them to pay for many different things, including utilities.
You may also be eligible for other forms of assistance, including food stamps, SSI, and more!
Summary
There are many ways that you can get help paying your electric bill in Vermont. There are government assistance programs that can help you reduce your bill in the long-term and if you’re in a short-term crisis, there are many local organizations that can help pay your bill right away. This article reviewed many different options that are available to you and how to apply for those programs.
Nicole Thelin
Nicole is the founder and lead researcher of Low Income Relief. After a personal experience with poverty and homelessness following her husband's sudden medical discharge from the U.S. Army, Nicole discovered the life-changing impact of community resources. This experience ignited her passion for empowering others to navigate similar crises. Nicole launched her writing career at age 16, working for various newspapers and publications. Her commitment to in-depth research and accessible content has been recognized by Google for Publishers and other industry leaders. For over 20 years, she has applied her investigative skills to uncover the most helpful, up-to-date information on benefits programs and community resources, ensuring Low Income Relief maintains the most extensive resource databases available.