Help Paying Your Electric Bill: Assistance Programs by State (2026)

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is the largest federal energy assistance program. Congress funds it at roughly $4 billion per year.^[1] It helps low-income households pay heating and cooling bills.

Eligibility varies by state but generally covers households earning up to 150% of the federal poverty level or 60% of state median income—whichever is higher. For a family of four, that is roughly $46,800/year in 2026.

Benefits range from $200 to $5,000 depending on state, household size, and energy costs. LIHEAP can pay your utility directly, reimburse past-due balances, or cover home weatherization.

Apply through your local Community Action Agency. The HHS LIHEAP directory lists every state contact.

Ohio runs several programs beyond LIHEAP for residents struggling with electric bills.

PIPP Plus (Percentage of Income Payment Plan) — Ohio's most generous program. Caps your electric bill at 6% of household income. Available to households at or below 150% of the poverty level. Enroll through your local community action agency.

Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) — Ohio's LIHEAP allocation. Apply October through May. One-time payment sent directly to your utility.

Winter Crisis Program — Emergency assistance from November 1 through March 31. Helps if you have received a disconnection notice or have less than 25% propane/oil remaining.

Contact the Ohio Development Services Agency at 800-282-0880 or visit development.ohio.gov.

Pennsylvania has some of the strongest utility consumer protections in the country.

LIHEAP Cash Grant — One-time payment of $200-$1,000 applied to your utility account. Apply November through April.

LIHEAP Crisis Grant — Up to $600 for emergencies—broken heating equipment, past-due shutoff notices, or terminated service.

Customer Assistance Programs (CAPs) — Each PA utility runs its own CAP. PECO's CAP reduces bills to an affordable percentage of income. PPL Electric's OnTrack program works similarly. These are the most valuable programs—they reduce your ongoing bill, not just a one-time payment.

Dollar Energy Fund — Pennsylvania nonprofit providing hardship grants. Funded by utility customer donations.

Apply through your county assistance office or call COMPASS at 877-395-8930.

Massachusetts has strong protections, especially during winter months.

Fuel Assistance Program (LIHEAP) — Covers heating costs for households up to 60% of state median income. Benefits range from $600 to $1,800 based on income and energy costs. Apply through your local Community Action Agency.

Discount Rates — Eversource and National Grid offer discounted electricity rates for low-income customers. Rates can be 25-35% below standard residential rates. Enroll through your utility.

Arrearage Management Programs (AMPs) — If you owe a large past-due balance, AMPs forgive a portion of your debt each month you make on-time payments. After 12 months of payments, most of the old debt is erased.

Winter shutoff moratorium — Massachusetts prohibits utility shutoffs from November 15 through March 15 for income-eligible households.

Texas distributes LIHEAP through the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA).

CEAP (Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program) — Texas's LIHEAP program. Provides utility bill payment assistance, energy education, and weatherization. Apply through your local community action agency.

LITE-UP Texas — Administered by the PUC of Texas. Offers a 10-17% discount on electricity bills for income-eligible customers in deregulated areas. Discounts apply to the delivery portion of your bill.

Many Texas retail electricity providers also offer average billing plans that smooth out seasonal spikes. Some offer hardship extensions if you call before the due date.

Contact TDHCA at 877-399-8939 or visit tdhca.texas.gov to find your local agency.

Even if you do not qualify for assistance programs, most utilities offer payment plans for past-due balances and budget billing to prevent future spikes.

Payment arrangements — Call your utility before you miss a payment. Most will split a past-due balance into 6-12 monthly installments added to your regular bill. Asking proactively almost always gets better terms than waiting for a shutoff notice.

Budget billing — Your utility averages your annual usage and charges the same amount each month. A $200 July bill and $80 February bill become twelve $140 payments. No surprises.

Levelized billing — Similar to budget billing but adjusted quarterly based on actual usage trends. Prevents large true-up balances at year-end.

Call the number on your bill. Ask for the hardship or payment arrangement department.

Energy assistance applications move faster when you come prepared.

Documents to gather: Last 30 days of pay stubs for all household members. Social Security numbers. A recent utility bill showing your account number and balance. Photo ID.

Apply early. LIHEAP funds are first-come, first-served in most states. Programs open in October/November—apply the first week.

Apply for multiple programs. You can receive LIHEAP and your utility's CAP/discount rate simultaneously. They stack.

Call 211. Dial 2-1-1 from any phone to reach United Way's helpline. Trained operators know every local program and can direct you to the right agency.

If your application is denied, appeal within 30 days. Many denials are due to missing documents, not actual ineligibility.