Help Paying Your Electric Bill: Assistance Options & Resources

There are a lot of consequences to falling behind on utility bills, not only the possibility of your power being turned off, but also long-term financial damage, including lowering your credit score.

When you have trouble paying bills and are prioritizing which ones to pay and which to hold off on, put your electric bill at the top of the list. If you can’t pay for it, help is available. Government programs, charity organizations, and utility companies offer programs that can help you catch up. Available assistance not only may help you pay the bill, but there’s also help for weatherization and making your home more energy efficient, lowering your costs in the long run.

No matter where you live in the U.S., it’s hard to live without electricity. Heating, cooling, lights, water pumps, gas elements and plumbing all run on electricity. Electricity is a need, not a want, but it must be a need that you can afford.

Electric Bill Debt in the U.S.

The cost of some sources of household energy, particularly natural gas and heating oil, have gone down since 2018, but electricity prices rose 13% between 2018 and 2024, and are projected to keep rising. No matter what energy source you use to heat or cool your home, electricity is necessary.

Almost a quarter of Americans surveyed (23.5%), reported that they couldn’t pay an energy bill, or could only pay part of it, for at least one month in 2024. More than a third (34.3%), either reduced payments for other necessities, like medical bills and food, or didn’t pay them at all so that they could pay their energy bill. Some 22.8% reported in the National Energy Assistance Directors Association 2024 survey that they kept the temperature in their home at what they considered an unhealthy level for at least a month to reduce energy costs.

Families with children (33.9%) and households with incomes of less than $50,000 (37.4%) reported the most trouble finding the money to pay an energy bill.

A lot goes into energy consumption and its costs. Factor in increasingly warm weather and a struggling income, and it’s a perfect storm.

For instance, in Louisiana, almost 7 in 10 households rely on electric heating, and nearly all  have electricity-powered air conditioning, for the highest per-capita electricity consumption in the U.S., according to the U.S. Energy Information Association, a government agency that tracks energy use and production.

The state had the second-highest average annual temperature in the nation – 69.1 Fahrenheit – in 2024, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information. Louisiana also has the highest national poverty rate in the country – 18.9%, according to the most recent U.S. Census figures. That’s compared to 11.1% nationwide.

So, it makes sense that 28.5% of Louisianans in the NEADA survey had trouble paying their energy bills in 2024,

Louisiana is part of a trend – some of the lowest-income and hottest states in the country were at the top of those in the survey who had trouble paying energy bills. Residents of Mississippi, also in the deep South, had the highest rate of people who couldn’t pay – 33.4%. It’s also the third-poorest state in the nation, with a 17.3% poverty rate (the national average is 11.4%). In New Mexico (18.5% poverty rate), 26.9% couldn’t pay energy bills. In Alabama (14.6% poverty rate), 29.4% had trouble paying energy bills.

Residents of states that aren’t as warm, but have high energy costs, also were above the national average of 23.5% when it came to struggling to pay their energy bill. New Jersey, for instance, ranked 11th in 2024 for expenditure on household energy consumption, and 28.2% of residents had trouble paying those bills, the fourth highest in the nation.

The rise in energy is caused by a combination of factors that include wage stagnation, seasonal spikes, and the biggest reason – climate change. Warm temperatures mean higher energy bills to cool things down. In 2024, 17 states recorded their warmest years on record. This is particularly significant as far as consumer electricity costs go. There are a variety of ways to heat a home, ranging from wood and fossil fuels to electricity. Home cooling, particularly air conditioning, is almost exclusively powered with electricity.

For instance, in Maine, which is traditionally one of its coldest states in the U.S., a rise in average yearly temperature has increased air conditioning use from 53% of households in 2011 to 78% in 2023.

Energy costs are driven by a complex combination of factors, including global supply disruptions, changing relationships between countries, how it is generated, workforce availability, weather that can cause major outages and repairs, and local and regional utility regulations. Electricity must be powered by another energy source – whether it’s coal, natural gas, petroleum, solar, wind, hydro, or something else. That means fluctuations in energy markets cause electricity prices to rise and fall.

Control of the overall cost of electricity is out of the hands of the average consumer who just wants a bill they can manage. If you’re having trouble doing that, there are programs that offer financial help with energy bills, as well as other assistance, and ways to lower your bill.

Where to Get Help with Electric Bills

If you’re in danger of having your electricity cut off, contact your utility company immediately.

“We are mindful that energy affordability remains a challenge for U.S. families, particularly those who are the most vulnerable, and there continues to be a need for energy assistance in our service areas,” said James Gherardi, senior manager of corporate communications for Exelon Corp, the country’s largest public utility company.

Monthly electric bills are usually due within 30 days of receipt. Some utilities will allow consumers a month or two to catch up, but once power is cut off, the utility company will charge reconnection fees and may ask for a deposit.

If you need help paying your electric bill, some of the main sources of assistance are:

• Government assistance programs, like LIHEAP, discount programs, help with weatherization, and local and state assistance.
• Utility company programs that offer help with bills, as well as energy efficiency resources.
• Nonprofit and community resources that fill the gaps where other assistance programs don’t.

Government Assistance Programs

Two federal programs that are administered by state agencies can help with electric bills, including the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps low-income households, including assistance for seniors, manage their energy costs . The government also has resources to make your home more energy-efficient, thus lowering your bills. Many state and local governments offer additional assistance.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

Households with low-wage earners may be eligible for the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), the most widely used source of home energy assistance in the U.S. It doesn’t provide money directly to individuals, but grants money to states, which administer their own programs. In many states, the money is sent directly to the utility to cover a portion of a qualifying household’s bill. The amounts to assist eligible individuals with their energy bills range from less than $100 up to $1,000, and are divided into heating, cooling, and crisis amounts. Those amounts vary, depending on the state. Some states and territories don’t offer LIHEAP money in every category, including 21 that don’t use it for cooling costs and three that don’t use it for heating costs.

How to Qualify for Energy Assistance

To qualify for LIHEAP, you must be eligible for, but not necessarily receiving benefits from other federal assistance programs, like SNAP.

A low-income household, as defined by LIHEAP, is one that’s below 150% of the federal poverty guideline or 60% of a state’s median income. States choose which measure they want to use. In 2025, 150% of the federal poverty guideline for an individual was $23,475. It increases by household size and was $31,725 for a two-person household, $39,975 for a three-person household and up to $130,725 for a 14-person household.

No state can go below the LIHEAP income allowance, but some allow higher incomes to qualify. Some states also have different income requirements for heating, cooling, and weatherization. To find the agency in your state and county that administers LIHEAP assistance, and information on applying, use the LIHEAP online state locator.

Even if you qualify for LIHEAP, getting assistance isn’t automatic. Each state gets a specific amount of money to distribute. Application periods vary by state and category. For instance, many northern states open the winter heating applications in July or August, so that assistance is in place by winter. Once the money is used up, there’s no more for subsequent applicants. Whatever state you’re in, apply as soon as possible rather than waiting until energy bills are an issue.

LIHEAP Energy Crisis Intervention Program

LIHEAP’s Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) provides emergency assistance to households who are in danger of their power being cut off, or other energy crises as defined by the state, in states that use LIHEAP funds for this program. It’s not available in 17 states, and some others only provide ECIP assistance for heating or cooling. You don’t have to be enrolled in LIHEAP to get the help, but you must qualify for it. If you’re not enrolled, getting ECIP help will automatically enroll you in most states that have ECIP.

Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)

The U.S. Department of Energy Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) reduces energy costs for low-income households by improving their homes’ energy efficiency. To qualify for WAP, you must qualify for LIHEAP.

If approved, your home is assessed for energy use, and you are provided with solutions like insulation, air sealing, and energy-efficient equipment upgrades. The program covers a portion of the cost of the assessment and upgrades, with work done by a provider approved by the program. The WAP website has a page that has information about each state’s administrator.

How to Qualify for Energy Assistance

Eligibility for the LIHEAP and WAP varies by state, but you are automatically eligible if you meet one of these criteria:

• You’re a low-income household that meets the financial requirements. The government provides an online calculator to determine if you qualify.
• If you participate in other federal benefit programs, including SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), SSI (Supplemental Security Income), TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families).
• You meet certain needs-tested veteran benefits.

Each state has its own criteria beyond that, as well as its own application process, including whether you can apply online or have to do it in person.

Government Energy Assistance Discount Programs

Many states offer federally subsidized discount programs beyond LIHEAP for people who have trouble beyond paying their energy bill. Some of these are:

Low Income Assistance Program (LIAP): A general umbrella term for state programs that help with energy assistance. The help differs by state. In Maine, for example, it’s a one-time credit paid directly to a utility to cover a household’s bill in an emergency situation.

Percentage of Income Payment Program (PIPP): Households pay a percentage of their income to the utility, rather than the full bill, with the balance subsidized by the state. For instance, in Ohio, qualifying residents who use natural gas pay 5% of gross household income for their natural gas bill, and 5% for their electric bill, with a $10 minimum. Customers who heat with electricity pay 10% for their electric bill.

Consumer Energy Tax Credits and Rebates

Consumers who make certain energy-efficient upgrades to their home can get a tax credit when they file their taxes for that year, or a direct rebate for a portion of the cost. A tax credit reduces the amount owed in taxes, unlike a deduction, which reduces the amount of income you’re taxed on. Let’s say you buy a $6,000 eligible wood pellet stove to offset your heating bills. Certain wood pellet stoves are certified for a 30% tax credit, which means that $1,800 – 30% of what you paid for the stove – is deducted from what you owe in taxes. The tax credits and rebates are available for certain air conditioners, Energy Star appliances, heat pumps, wood pellet stoves, insulation, new windows, and a variety of other home improvements. The U.S. Department of Energy has a list of what’s eligible.

State and Local Programs

States and some cities have energy bill assistance to fill in gaps that LIHEAP and WAP don’t cover.

Some examples of  state-based help for low-income households to pay energy bills are:

New York’s State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), which has resources that expand what’s available from the federal government.

In Colorado, Energy Outreach Colorado provides immediate support for seniors, veterans, people with disabilities and low wage earners who can’t pay energy bills.

In Florida, the Emergency Home Assistance for the Elderly (EHEAP) program helps households that have at least one member who is 60 or older and can’t pay their electric bill.

California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) gives a 30%-35% percent discount on electric bills and a 20% discount on natural gas bills for income-qualified residents. California’s Family Electric Rate Assistance Program (FERA) is for households that slightly exceed CARE eligibility.

City-based programs include the Lifeline Rate Program in Los Angeles that gives seniors and those with disabilities tax exemptions on their electric and other utility bills.

To find state and local energy assistance, enter “energy assistance in [state]” in your browser, or contact your state’s public housing agency or authority, or Community Action Agency, both of which help administer assistance programs.

Utility Company Programs

Utility companies often offer flexible payment plans, temporary forbearance and late fee waivers for customers who need help paying their electric bill. They’d rather assist households with paying their energy bill than turn off their power.

“Disconnection is the last resort when are unable to work with a customer to make payment arrangements,” said Scott Blake, director of media relations and policy communications for American Electric Power. “[The] top priority is to help all customers maintain their electric service.”

Utility companies also offer resources to make homes more energy efficient.

Payment Plans

Most energy companies offer plans that divide the yearly cost into 12 equal monthly payments. When you pay the same amount every month, it’s easier to budget than big spikes during the seasons when you need heating or cooling more. It doesn’t change the total you pay but makes it easier to budget. Fees usually apply. Some utilities also offer payment plans for customers who are behind so they can catch up.

Discount Programs

Most utility discount programs for customers require that the customer is already receiving federal assistance, though it doesn’t have to be LIHEAP. It may also be SNAP, SSI, or TANF. For instance, Eversource customers in Connecticut (up to 50% off) and Massachusetts (up to 42%) may be eligible for a discount if at least one household member is receiving federal assistance, and the household qualifies by income. In Florida, Florida Power & Light’s Care to Share Program gives customers who experience sudden hardships like unemployment or illness a temporary discount.

Requirements and eligibility for such company-offered discounts can be strict and not available everywhere in the utility’s service area. For instance, New Hampshire Eversource customers aren’t eligible for its discount program.

Energy Efficiency Programs

Many utility companies work with local governments to help consumers improve the energy efficiency of their homes or offices. Some of the most common are:

• Picking up and properly disposing of inefficient older freezers and refrigerators for free, and sometimes even providing a small rebate on a bill.
• Weatherization that helps make residences and small businesses more energy efficient. These can include free energy audits and, in some cases, financial assistance to cover the cost of upgrades.
• Energy Star rebates for a portion of the price of some appliances, home improvements, or utilities to encourage more energy efficiency, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy.

Ask your utility provider if it participates in such programs. Contact information can be found on the utility’s website or on your monthly bill.

Nonprofit and Community Resources

Nonprofit organizations and community programs can assist in paying an energy bill, filling the gap of what other assistance doesn’t cover, or providing help for those who don’t qualify for other programs.

Charities and Nonprofits

If your electricity is about to be cut off, or if you need resources for emergency assistance, calling the United Way’s 211 line will get you immediately in touch with a charity or nonprofit that can help. The 211 line is available 24/7 and is confidential. You can dial 211 on your phone, or check the website, 211.org, to find information for texting or chatting online.

Some of the organizations the 211 line may refer callers to are:

• Salvation Army
• Catholic Charities
• Love Inc.
• Lutheran Community Services
• Vincent de Paul Society
• Jewish Federation of North America
• Urban League
• Modest Needs

Many of the charities are faith-based, but you don’t have to be a member of that faith to get help. You can also contact these organizations on your own or check their website to see if they offer the assistance you need. Look in your own area, too, for local nonprofits and church programs that can help prevent a shutoff when you’re in a financial crisis.

Community Action Agencies

Community Action Agencies, or Programs, may be either public or private. They help administer federal benefit programs, and others designed to meet the specific needs of the community’s low- and moderate-income members. Your local CAA or CAP may be the LIHEAP administrator in your area, but even if they’re not, they can help you determine eligibility or apply for the program, as well as help you find other resources to pay your electric bill.

To find the CAA or CAP in your area, check the online Community Action Partnership directory.

How to Lower Your Electric Bill Right Now

Heating and air conditioning are the biggest electric bill contributors, followed by anything with a heating or cooling element – the clothes dryer, refrigerator, freezer, hair dryer, etc. But you’d be amazed at what’s quietly using electricity in your house and driving up your bill. Americans spend $19 billion a year on electricity they’re not really using, according to New Hampshire electric company Unitil. Household size can make it tough to lower the electric bill, but some strategies will have an exponential positive effect if everyone takes part.

Some tips to lower your household’s electric bill right now are:

• Keep the air conditioning at the recommended summer setting of 78 degrees. If it’s in the low 80s or cooler outside, open the windows, if possible, instead of using AC 24/7.
• In the winter, set the thermostat at the recommended 68 degrees, lowering it 7-10 degrees at night, to make heating more energy efficient. Avoid changes of 10 degrees or more, which will cause your heating system to work too hard to catch up.
• Wash clothes at the “tap cold” setting, which neither heats nor cools the water.
• Lower your water heater thermostat to 120 degrees.
• Dry clothes on a line outside, or in the house (you can buy folding wooden racks for this), rather than using the clothes dryer.
• Use the sensor setting on the clothes dryer to keep it from running longer than it needs to.
• “Vampire” plugged-in electronics can be responsible for as much as 20% of a home’s electricity consumption. Unplug small appliances like coffee makers and microwaves, as well as stereo equipment, TVs, desktop computers and game consoles when not in use.
• Chargers are also electricity vampires. Only charge phones, tablets and laptops when needed, then unplug the charger. Or get an adapter with auto-shutoff, which turns off when the device is fully charged.
• Revamp your household menu to have more meals that don’t use the oven, rather than cooking every day. And if your household prepares individual meals, make shared meals as often as possible to lessen oven and microwave use.
• If the household has a number of TVs and devices going at the same time, try to find more time to watch TV together and turn off other devices.
• Get motion-activated outdoor lights instead of keeping outdoor lights on all night.
• Get the entire household involved in making the home more energy efficient. People are more proactive when they feel like they’re part of the solution. Challenge kids to come up with ideas to keep energy costs down.
• Many electric companies offer a weekly text or email notification of your home’s electricity use, including kilowatt hours, cost, and daily average of both. Make it a challenge to see how much you can lower it weekly. If you have kids, make a chart that tracks usage and savings. They’ll become the household’s most enthusiastic energy monitors. Have a pizza party prize, or some other treat, if usage or cost goals are achieved.
• Ask your utility company or state energy agency for a free energy audit. An audit has financial benefits beyond lowering monthly bills. It can also reduce long-term costs and increase environmental friendliness.

Gherardi, the Exelon Corp. manager, said that his company is empowering customers to take advantage of energy-efficiency programs, which have financial benefits beyond just a lower monthly bill.

“[They] enable customer savings through home energy audits, lighting discounts, appliance recycling, home improvement rebates, equipment upgrade incentives and innovative programs like smart thermostats and combined heat and power programs,” Gherardi said.

What to Do if You Can’t Pay Your Electric Bill

Ignoring your electric bill can have dire consequences. Not paying means late payment fees, but you could also have your service disconnected and it’ll cost another fee to get it started up again.

While utility companies don’t normally report to credit reporting bureaus, if you fall behind and the utility company hires a collection agency to get payment from you, that could appear on your credit report and lower your credit score for up to seven years.

Steps to take if you can’t pay your electric bill:

1. Contact the utility company immediately. Tell them you are having trouble paying and need help. They may offer options like a short extension to avoid late fees, a payment plan, or even forbearance, which means you can temporarily put off paying (but you’ll still owe the full amount).
2. Call 211 and get connected to local resources that can help you avoid an emergency shutoff.
3. Contact your area LIHEAP administrator and find out if you’re eligible for the Energy Crisis Intervention Program if your state has it.
4. Check LIHEAP’s state list of disconnection policies to find out what your state’s rules are.
5. Check your budget, cut expenses, and see if you can come up with enough money to pay at least a portion of the bill.

Other Ways to Get Help Paying Your Electric Bill

Other ways to get help paying your electric bill are:

• If you served in the military, the Veterans Relief Fund provides assistance.
• If you receive SNAP assistance, check to see what other benefits your are eligible for. Many programs use SNAP eligibility as their eligibility requirement, and you may instantly qualify for other help.
• Check with your state’s housing authority to see if you are eligible for rental assistance (if you receive SNAP or other federal benefits you likely are), that can help you lower other costs that can make it easier to pay your electric bill, or they may suggest other assistance you are eligible for.
• Check to see if your state has an energy office or energy efficiency agency. These offer resources like low-cost air conditioners and heating, loans and grants to help update household systems, and more.
• The Lifeline Program, which is run by the FCC, offers a small discount on monthly phone and internet bills that may free up money to help with the electric bill.

Speak to a Credit Counselor About Your Debt

If you can’t pay for utilities, you may have trouble paying other bills, including credit cards and other debt. You also may be in jeopardy of damaging your credit score if the utility company is about to send your account to a collection agency.

Speaking with a nonprofit credit counselor can help you find ways to pay your bills. The counselor will help you create a budget, review your finances, help with resources, and suggest debt relief options based on your financial situation.

A discussion with a certified counselor at a nonprofit credit counseling agency is free and is a solid first step toward getting on solid ground with your electric, and other, bills.

What Can You Do If Your Electricity Is Disconnected?

Every state has laws about when and how electricity can be disconnected. LIHEAP provides a state list of disconnection policies.

States vary on how, and when, electricity can be cut off, including:

• Many northern states don’t allow electricity to be cut off in the winter, and some warmer states don’t allow it in summer, with specific dates for the beginning and end of the season.
• Some states have vulnerable population polices and won’t cut off electricity for people who are on respirators or other critical medical equipment. Some don’t cut it off at all, some have a 21- or 30-day waiting period.
• Five states don’t have weather-related or vulnerability policies – Florida, North Dakota, South Carolina, West Virginia, and Wyoming. That means if you don’t pay your electric bill, no matter the weather or your medical circumstances, your electricity can be shut off.
• States have varying rules about whether notice is required and how much must be given (for instance, 21 days) before electricity can be shut off. Some states have no requirements, even a 24-hour notice.
• Most states require “serious delinquency” before a shutoff, but the definition differs by state.

If you’re behind on your electric bill, don’t ignore notices or phone calls from the electric company, and check to see what your state’s policy is, so you’re prepared.

If your electricity is disconnected for nonpayment, action you should take includes:

• Contact your electricity provider immediately and ask about emergency relief options or a payment plan that will maintain service.
• Check your state’s disconnection rules to make sure that the disconnection is legal.
• If you’re enrolled in LIHEAP, or have a qualifying income, check with your state administrator to see if ECIP money is available.
• If you receive notice that your electricity is going to be shut off, file an appeal. The information on how to file should be included in the notice, but if it’s not, check the company’s website, or see if your state website has information. Usually, electricity can’t be shut off once an appeal is filed and must stay on until it’s resolved.
• If you believe your electricity was disconnected in error, or your payments weren’t at the point where it could be, or weren’t given notice, contact your state’s legal aid agency and find out if you have any recourse. To find your state’s legal aid agency, visit USA.gov’s resource guide.
• If you get any federal benefits because of income, you are on your state’s Low Income List, and the administrator can let you know if you qualify for assistance that will help get your power back on and determine if fees to turn it back on can be waived because of your income level.

Frequently Asked Questions