FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

There are a variety of relief programs available to help eligible customers with their utility costs.

Federal Programs

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
LIHEAP helps keep families safe and healthy through initiatives that assist families with energy costs.

More about LIHEAP

LIHEAP Map State and Territory Contacts

National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR) Project is a free service providing information on where you can apply for LIHEAP. Call the toll-free phone number at: 1-866-674-6327 or send an e-mail to: energy@ncat.org 

Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)
LIHWAP provides funds to assist low-income households with water and wastewater bills.

More about LIHWAP

LIHWAP Map State and Territory Contact Listing

California

California 2-1-1
California 2-1-1 is a free and confidential service that helps people find the local resources they need. Residents can call 2-1-1 at any time, twenty-four hours a day, 7 days a week.

About California 2-1-1

California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE)
Low-income customers that are enrolled in the CARE program receive a 30-35 percent discount on their electric bill and a 20 percent discount on their natural gas bill.

About CARE

Family Electric Rate Assistance Program (FERA)
Families whose household income slightly exceeds the CARE allowances will qualify to receive FERA discounts, which applies a 18% discount on their electricity bill. FERA is available for customers of Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas and Electric Company, and Pacific Gas and Electric Company.

About FERA

Florida

Florida Power & Light (FPL) Care to Share Program
The Florida Power & Light (FPL) Care to Share Program was implemented to provide emergency assistance funds to customers experiencing crisis situations. The households are low income and in imminent danger of having their services disconnected and are unable to make payment due to hardship or lack of funds. Applicants are screened for processing at the Community Resource Centers. Eligible applicants can receive a one-time assistance within a 12-month period, up to $500. Assistance is based on funding availability.

FPL Assistance by County

Hawaii

Hawaii Utility Bill Assistance
The Hawaii Utility Bill Assistance program was created to help Hawaii residents who are financially affected by the pandemic and who have fallen behind on their payments to electric, water, sewer and gas utilities.

Thousands of residential customers who meet eligibility requirements can receive one-time assistance of funds up to $750. That amount will be paid to one utility or split among several.

Dial 211 or visit www.auw211.org

Illinois

Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)
The CSBG offers Illinoisans an opportunity to receive support for an array of essential services including rent assistance, food, temporary shelter, medicine and more.

Check your local Community Action Agency (referred to as a local agency) page for a list of available services near you or visit the Illinois Department of Commerce webpage on Community Action Agencies.

Maryland

Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP)
MEAP is a federally funded program that operates year-round and assists eligible Maryland households free of charge. The program is aimed at making homes more comfortable by repairing and replacing heating, cooling, and water heating systems.

Residents can find instructions for completing and returning a MEAP application on the first page of the application form.

The Fuel Fund of Maryland
The Fuel Fund of Maryland aims to be a lifeline for vulnerable Maryland residents struggling with a home utility hardship. They assist by providing navigation through an array of financial and community resources that empower, engage, and safely connect a household in times of crisis.

About the program

Massachusetts

Low-Income Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
The Low-Income Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) assists low-income households in reducing heating bills by providing comprehensive home energy conservation services. 

For more information, visit the WAP website.

Heating Emergency Assistance Retrofit Task Weatherization Assistance Program (HEARTWAP)
The Heating Emergency Assistance Retrofit Task Weatherization Assistance Program (HEARTWAP) provides heating system services, including repairs and maintenance, to low-income households.

For more information visit the HEARTWAP website.

New Jersey

Home Energy Assistance Program (HEA)
The HEA Program is federally funded and was created to help low-income residents with their heating and medically necessary cooling bills. Assistance is available to eligible households through LIHEAP and includes benefits to assist with heating bills and certain emergency needs.

About HEA

Universal Service Fund (USF)
The USF was created by the NJ Board of Public Utilities to help make natural gas and electric bills more affordable for low-income customers.

Applications for this program are accepted throughout the year. 

New York

Utility Assistance Program (UAP)
UAP assists families or individuals who are elderly, blind, disabled, mentally impaired or those residing in a neglected or hazardous environment who require financial assistance for their energy bills.

About UAP

NYS Energy Affordability Program / Low-Income Bill Discount Program
NYS Energy Affordability Program / Low-Income Bill Discount Program provides income-eligible consumers with a discount on their monthly electric and/or gas bills — as well as other benefits, depending on the characteristics of the particular utility's program

About the program

North Carolina

Crisis Intervention Program (CIP)
The Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) serves individuals and families who are experiencing or in danger of experiencing a heating or cooling related crisis.

To apply or for more information, please contact your county Department of Social Services (DSS) office.

Pennsylvania

Utility Emergency Services Fund (UESF)
UESF is funded by the Division of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). This program provides assistance to low-income individuals and families who need help paying utility bills.

Abut UESF

Tennessee 

Call 2-1-1 on your telephone for your immediate needs or go to 2-1-1 Tennessee to look up agencies that can help you.

Texas

Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP)
The Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) is a utility assistance program designed to assist low income households in meeting their immediate energy needs and to encourage consumers to control energy costs for years to come through energy education.

Call toll free at 1-877-399-8939

Texas Utility Help Program
The Texas Utility Help Program can give financial assistance to qualified Texas homeowners and renters with low income. Eligible expenses include electricity, gas, propane, water, and wastewater.

About the program

Virginia

Virginia Energy Assistance Program (EAP)
The Virginia Energy Assistance Program (EAP) assists low-income households in meeting their immediate home energy needs. 

About the program

Washington DC

Utility Discount Program (UDP) 
The Utility Discount Program (UDP) assists low-income District residents reduce their utility costs. Eligible customers may receive a discount of up to $475 per year on their electric bill ($300 per year if non-electric heat). 

Go to the Department of Energy and the Environment website to apply online or call 3-1-1 to schedule an in-person appointment

Greater Washington Urban League
The Greater Washington Urban League provides up to $500 in assistance to eligible customers facing disconnection. Customers can call (202) 265-8200 or visit www.gwul.org

The Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP)
The Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP) helps eligible customers pay for a portion of their current electric bill.

Information regarding this program can be found on the Maryland Department of Human Services website or by calling 1-800-332-6347.

The Arrearage Retirement Assistance (ARA)
The Arrearage Retirement Assistance (ARA) program helps customers with large, past due electric and gas bills. If eligible, customers may receive forgiveness of up to $2,000 towards their past due bill.

Information regarding this program can be found on the Maryland Department of Human Services website or by calling 1-800-332-6347.

The Utility Service Protection Program (USPP)

The Utility Service Protection Program (USPP) is designed to help low-income families during the heating season.

Information regarding this program can be found on the Maryland Department of Human Services website or by calling 1-800-332-6347.

Residential Assistance Program (Emergency Residential Relief)
The Residential Assistance Program (Emergency Residential Relief) provides up to $2,000 to help income-eligible customers eliminate their past due balance. Call DOEE at 202-350-9649, or visit doee.dc.gov/udp.

Washington State

Energy Assistance Program (EAP)
The Energy Assistance Program (EAP) pays heating bills directly to utility companies for eligible applicants. Payments are based on eligible household’s fuel usage for the past 12 months and income.

If your utilities have been disconnected call 253-798-3590.

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