With rising electricity costs, you may need help with your power bill. If you need help with your electric bill in Texas, there are three basic options.
- Contact Your Electricity Provider: Your REP is the first point of contact if you need help paying your power bill in Texas. Working with them can give you a bill payment extension and keep you from being disconnected.
- Call 211 Utility Assistance: Texas 211 is a central clearing house of resources. The 211 operator may be able to match you to available aid programs.
- See if you qualify for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): This program provides bill payment assistance for those on SSI or that earn less than 150% of the Federal Income Poverty Guidelines.
Below we provide additional information on each option. Plus ideas for bill payment help for those who are not low income.
Help With Paying Power Bill in Texas – Call Your REP First!
If you can’t pay your electric bill, the first thing to do is call your retail electricity provider (REP). Let them know of your financial hardship. Ask for help.
There are several ways your electricity company can help with paying your electric bill in Texas. These include:
- One Time Payment Arrangement. Ask your electric company for an informal payment arrangement. See if you can pay pay a small amount now, then pay the rest in 2-3 weeks before your next bill comes out.
- Deferred Payment Plan. The Public Utility Commission of Texas requires that all REPs offer a Deferred Payment Plan (DPP). Under a DPP, you can pay a portion of the bill now, then pay the remainder over 5 billing cycles. If you fail to meet your payment arrangement, the full amount may be due immediately to avoid disconnection. And, your provider may place your account on a switch hold once you make the payment arrangement. You will not be able to switch to another REP until you pay your bill in full. To qualify for a DPP, you must not have been disconnected for non-payment during the prior 12 months.
- Reduced Rate for Electricity. Ask if you can get a lower rate for your electricity plan, in exchange for extending your contract term. This is especially helpful if current rates are lower than when you signed up. And if your contract has expired and you’re being billed on a variable rate? Many companies will re-calculate your bill if you sign up for a new fixed rate contract.
- Referral to social services. Every REP maintains a donation fund to help customers pay their bill, with a dollar-for-dollar match to customer donations. They donate these funds to local non-profits to administer the donation funds. Your REP will be able to refer you to one of these services, which are needs-based according to your income.
LIHEAP and CEAP – Help Paying Light Bill for Low Income Texans
Texas LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) helps low income citizens pay their energy bills. There is also CEAP, or Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program, which helps cover utility bills and funds home energy efficiency improvements.
The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs manages LIHEAP and CEAP. Qualifying households can receive up to $1600 in utility assistance during a 6 to 8 month period.
Here’s how to find the Texas LIHEAP low-income utility program in your area, for help paying the light bill:
- 211 Helpline. Call 211 or 877-541-7905 and tell the agent you need utility assistance. Once you provide your zip code, they’ll provide the name and contact information of the assistance agency in your area.
- 211Texas.org website. Go online and enter “utility assistance” in the search bar, then enter your zip code. You’ll get a list of resources in your area.
- Help for Texans website. Operated by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, the Help for Texas web site replaced the Texas Utility Help Program web site. Select “Utility Bill Payment Help,” then enter your zip code or county. You’ll get a list of resources in your area.
Once you have the name of the LIHEAP/CEAP program administer in your area, visit their website and search for “Utility Assistance Program” to apply.
To qualify for LIHEAP/CEAP, you must receive SSI or Means Tested Veterans Program payments, or have an income below a maximum threshold. Typically, you can qualify if you are within 150% of the Federal Income Poverty Guidelines. For example, a household of 4 people must have an income under $42,000 annually to qualify. This tool will help you see if you qualify.
Lite-Up Texas. The Texas Lite-Up program no longer exists and was cancelled in 2016.
Help Paying Electricity Bill if You Are Not Low Income
If you are not a low income, a veteran or an elderly customer, there are limited programs available to help pay your electricity bill in Texas.
Your first step is always to talk to your electricity company and ask for help. That will likely include a deferred payment plan, if you have paid your bills on time in the past. You may also be able to get a simple payment extension if you can pay the bill within a couple weeks. Ask if they can waive any late fees as well.
Next, ask about your eligibility for budget billing. Also called average billing, this lets you pay the same amount each month. Most customers in Texas use more power in the summer than the winter. When you sign up for budget billing, you spread your costs across the year. That can be a big help during the summer months.
Also, find out about any energy savings tips that may help you reduce your usage. Or look into whether your REP offers a free HVAC tune-up program, available if you live in Centerpoint or AEP-Texas market area. Since cooling your home is 50% or more of your bill, focusing on this can cut your costs.
Communication with your provider is key to avoiding late fees and possible disconnection.
Additional Resources
What to do if you get an electricity disconnection notice in Texas
Set up electricity without a deposit
