Energy Assistance Programs in Every State
Temperatures are dropping as federal COVID assistance ends for many Americans who struggle to pay their energy bills — even though the coronavirus crisis isn't quite done with us. The good news is that the federal government helps every state in the country provide energy assistance programs to residents in need, often through partnerships with nonprofits, businesses, and other third-party organizations. And most major utility companies and energy providers have programs of their own, particularly during the pandemic, to help customers who are struggling. If a program in your state says it was sealed up months ago, keep an eye on its website for a cold-weather restart or contact officials through it to ask about a reopening date.
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The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is a federally funded grant administered by the Department of Health and Human Services. Funds are paid to the states, which distribute the money as aid to qualifying residents. Available in all 50 states, LIHEAP delivers more than $3.6 billion in block grants yearly for such things as energy crisis mitigation, assistance with heating bills, and weatherization and home repairs. Read on for a link to your state's LIHEAP page as well as information about additional energy-assistance services.
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Dialing the number 211 or visiting 211.org connects callers to a free and confidential referral and information helpline and website with essential health and human services. The service, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, includes help with not just energy and utility costs, but basic human needs, mental health and other health care resources, employment support, and more.
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The Alabama Power Payment Assistance Program
Includes Project SHARE and the Alabama Business Charitable Trust Fund, both of which provide supplemental energy help.
Alaska's General Relief Assistance Program
Provides emergency aid to residents facing a range of issues, including the pending shutoff of utilities. The program is open only to those who don't qualify for need-specific aid such as LIHEAP's.
Offers several supplementary aid programs for seniors, low-income residents, those with special needs, and families in crisis. Among them are Crisis Bill Assistance, Project SHARE, and the Energy Support program.
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Arkansas Community Action Agencies
Offers links and contact information for programs that can provide local assistance depending on county and region.
Utilities Assistance Programs in California
Several major utilities, including PG&E, Edison, Southern California Gas, and SDG&E offer payment assistance and forgiveness plans, as well as rate reductions and equal-payment budgeting plans.
Includes bill payment assistance, energy education, and the Colorado Affordable Residential Energy program. There's also a special COVID-related aid package that includes supplementary bill assistance twice per household in 2020.
Connecticut Energy Assistance Program
Offers extra help to qualifying households with especially vulnerable residents, including seniors and children under 6. It offers a basic benefit of up to $750, as well as a crisis benefit and safety net benefit also both worth hundreds of dollars. Awards vary based on such factors as income and the number of vulnerable household members.
Related: SNAP and Other Low Income Relief Programs for Seniors
Equitable Wilmington Collaborative
Supplemental relief to residents and businesses affected directly by the COVID crisis.
Related: 18 Ways to Help Small Businesses Survive Right Now
Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly
Designed for low-income households with at least one person over the age of 60. It offers emergency energy help up to $600 per household per season.
Heating Energy Assistance Team
The longest-serving statewide fuel fund in Georgia, HEAT is a collaborative effort between state and local governments, businesses, and nonprofits. It provides heating energy help to low-income Georgians.
Hawaiian Electric Payment Assistance
Offerings include the GEM$ On-Bill Money Saver Program, which provides help with bills and financing for energy efficiency home repairs. Nonprofit state partnerships include AUW 211 and the Salvation Army-Hawaiian and Pacific Islands, which offer help with utilities and energy costs.
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Utility Assistance
This state agency maintains a database of nearly 100 organizations that help with energy and utilities based on location.
Supplemental Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund
Mandated by law, this fund was created within the state Treasury to use donated dollars from people and organizations to make direct payments to utilities, energy companies, and co-ops on behalf of struggling residents.
Indiana 211
Links to local organizations based on the ZIP code of the household in need that can provide help with electric, gas, water, and heating fuel payments.
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Access Energy Cooperative
A 10-county, 9,000-member co-op offering members rebates of $250 and up for a range of utility and energy services and products.
Kansas City Power and Light
Offers several assistance programs statewide, including the Cold Weather Program, which helps customers with delinquent accounts avoid shutoffs. The company will also help connect struggling customers with local nonprofits to secure emergency grants, and it runs a special program for the elderly, low-income residents, and the disabled.
Kentucky Power
Offers several programs including payment assistance in the form of one-time extensions or extended arrangement plans. The Home Energy Assistance in Reduced Temperatures program offers up to $115 per month, and the Temporary Heating Assistance in Winter program pays up to $175.
Utilities Assistance Programs in Louisiana
Louisiana boasts nearly 20 energy assistance and utility bill programs offered through a network of utility companies and energy providers in the state.
Maine General Assistance
Open to all Mainers with help in paying not only for utilities and fuel, but for household and personal supplies, housing costs, and health care.
Related: Which States Have the Highest Gas Bills?
Office of Home Energy Programs
This agency runs several programs, including the Utility Service Protection Program, the Maryland Energy Assistance Program, and the Electric Universal Service Program.
Good Neighbor Energy Fund
Helping state residents in crisis for more than 35 years, the fund is designed for residents who struggle to pay energy bills because of a temporary crisis but don't qualify for state or federal assistance.
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
This agency administers three programs: the Home Heating Credit, a crisis intervention program called State Emergency Relief, and the Weatherization Assistance Program.
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Reach Out For Warmth
Representing a collaboration between 40 nonprofits and agencies across the state. It serves as a community-based fuel fund and provides services such as free furnace repair, as well as help with heating bills and other energy payments.
Mississippi Department of Human Services
Manages several different programs for vulnerable Mississippians struggling to meet energy needs.
Missouri Public Service Commission
Offers links to a range of organizations and initiatives, including energy efficiency programs for gas and electric customers and links to programs administered by community action agencies.
Utilities Assistance Programs in Montana
Nearly all of Montana's gas, utility, and electric companies offer financial assistance programs, weatherization programs, or both. Many of those programs are intended specifically for people already getting LIHEAP support.
Related: Which States Pay the Most for Electricity?
Omaha Public Power District
Residents who live within the 13-county district can apply for funds to cover emergency energy expenses.
Utilities Assistance Programs in Nevada
Another state where most major utility providers and energy companies offer relief and aid programs for residents struggling to keep up with energy expenses. Many give preference to homes with vulnerable residents such as seniors and children; some are for residents ineligible for federal or state aid; others are meant to supplement existing aid.
Electric Assistance Program
All electric bills include a charge that pays into this statewide funding program mandated by the state legislature as part of sweeping utility deregulation. EAP works with community action agencies to identify and enroll qualifying residents. It's considered a "sister program" to the similarly funded Fuel Assistance Program and Weatherization Assistance Program.
Related: Helpful Resources for Single Parents Struggling Amid the Pandemic
Utilities Assistance Programs in New Jersey
Just one of several comprehensive energy assistance programs in New Jersey. There's also the Payment Assistance for Gas and Electric Program for low- to moderate-income households, the Universal Service Fund, the Winter Termination Program, the Lifeline energy-assistance program, and NJ SHARES.
Utilities Assistance in New Mexico
The state Mortgage Finance Authority maintains a list of agencies and organizations offering rent and utility help. Some are statewide. Others are specific to a region, county, or city.
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Utility Assistance Program
This initiative is designed for the mentally impaired, blind, disabled, or elderly, as well as for those living in a neglected or hazardous environment and who need help paying energy bills.
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Utilities Assistance in North Carolina
Many counties and municipalities in North Carolina offer residents energy assistance at the local level. In addition, most of the state's many utility providers and energy companies offer customers relief programs based on need and other circumstances.
P-LIHEAP
In early October last year, the North Dakota Department of Human Services announced a temporary program called the Pandemic Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Designed specifically for low-income families that participated in the state's standard energy-assistance program until funds ran out, it offers a one-time payment of $460 to mitigate COVID-related household crises.
Ohio Development Services Agency
Maintains a list of programs and services for vulnerable residents. Among them are the Home Energy Assistance Program, which includes the Winter Crisis Program and the Summer Crisis Program, as well as the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus program. ODSA also provides weatherization help and maintains a list of energy assistance providers.
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Utilities Assistance in Oklahoma
As with many other states, most non-LIHEAP assistance programs in Oklahoma are administered by power companies and utility providers themselves. Different service providers offer different kinds of assistance to vulnerable or financially struggling customers.
Oregon Energy Fund
Oregonians who meet the program's income requirements can apply for help through this fund, which distributes money to more than 30 nonprofits and partner agencies throughout the state.
Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission
Home base for Pennsylvania's energy assistance offerings. It outlines initiatives such as the Customer Assistance Program, the Customer Assistance Referral and Evaluation Program, the Low Income Usage Reduction Program, and the Hardship Funds program.
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Rhode Island Good Neighbor Energy Fund
Provides grants up to $650 for Rhode Islanders having trouble paying for energy needs. The amount awarded will depend on factors such as household size, income level, and the type of fuel needed to run your home.
South Carolina Office of Economic Opportunity
Residents can find the Community Action Agency serving their region on the SCOEO interactive map. Local agencies can help determine which energy assistance programs you're eligible for and how to contact them and apply for aid.
Operation Round Up
Several energy companies, co-ops, and utility providers in South Dakota participate to convert local charitable dollars into statewide energy assistance. The Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative, for example, rounds its members' payments up to the nearest dollar and puts the difference in a fund that provides tens of thousands of dollars in energy aid to vulnerable residents.
Related: The Coldest and Warmest Cities in Every State
Utilities Assistance in Tennessee
More than two dozen utility companies, energy providers, and community co-ops offer LIHEAP-alternative assistance programs to at-risk customers. Depending on provider and circumstances, you might be eligible for aid in paying bills, securing fuel, or reducing payments.
Texas Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program
Provides financial aid and payment assistance as well as energy education to low-income Texas residents. Those already in programs such as SNAP might be eligible automatically.
Related:What You Can and Can't Buy With SNAP Benefit
Utah Office of Consumer Services
Hub for several energy assistance programs, including those administered directly by utility and electric companies. It also profiles offerings such as the Home Electric Lifeline Program and Home Energy Assistance Target program.
Financial and Payment Assistance for Utility Customers
A list of programs, including heating fuel group discounts, programs for people with disabilities, utilities discounts, and an arrearage assistance program created to deal with COVID-related financial fallout.
Virginia COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program
Designed for people experiencing financial stress due to the pandemic, but who might not otherwise be eligible for existing energy aid programs in the state.
Keep Warm Washington
Washingtonians struggling with energy bills can visit to learn about programs administered by all five of the state's major energy providers and other programs for payment assistance, medical emergencies, and utility shut-off moratoriums.
Pandemic-Related Energy Assistance in West Virginia
In July, the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources launched a program extending LIHEAP offerings to residents participating in SNAP, but who either don't qualify for or don't normally participate in the state's existing energy assistance programs.
Related: Where Has SNAP Use Increased the Most Amid the Pandemic
Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund
The result of a statewide nonprofit charitable effort. Combining public, private, and community resources, it provides energy assistance aid, the vast majority of which goes to the elderly, veterans, working families with young children, and the disabled.
Energy Share of Wyoming
Private nonprofit helping families and individuals pay energy bills during times of hardship. It is designed for those who are at-risk but do not qualify for LIHEAP or other conventional programs.
