If your electricity bill has become difficult to afford, you may have options for reducing the amount you owe or getting help with energy costs. Government programs, utility companies, community organizations, and nonprofit agencies may offer assistance depending on your income, location, household circumstances, and the type of need.
For U.S. households, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) can help eligible households with heating or cooling costs and, depending on location, electric bills. Some programs can also provide emergency assistance during an energy crisis.
What Help Is Available for Electric Bills?
Depending on your situation and location, assistance may include:
- Help paying an overdue electric bill
- Emergency utility assistance
- Help during an energy crisis
- Utility payment assistance
- Weatherization services
- Energy-efficiency improvements
- Utility company hardship programs
- Payment arrangements
- Local nonprofit assistance
- Community energy assistance programs
The exact type of assistance and eligibility requirements vary by state and program.
Who May Qualify for Electric Bill Assistance
Programs may consider factors such as:
- Household income
- Household size
- State or local residence
- Energy costs
- Type of heating or cooling
- Age
- Disability
- Whether someone in the household receives certain benefits
- Whether the household is facing an energy emergency
LIHEAP eligibility is income-based, but each state and territory establishes its own requirements.
Check What You May Qualify For
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Programs vary based on your eligibility, location, and household circumstances.
Types of Help With Electric Bills
LIHEAP Energy Assistance
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is one of the main federal programs for helping eligible low-income households with energy costs.
Depending on the state or territory, assistance may help with electricity, heating, cooling, or emergency energy needs. Applications are generally handled through state, territorial, or tribal LIHEAP offices.
Emergency Utility Assistance
If your electricity has already been disconnected or you have received a shutoff notice, look for emergency assistance as soon as possible.
States have different rules concerning utility disconnections. Protections may depend on factors such as weather conditions, age, disability, and the utility provider.
Weatherization Assistance
The Weatherization Assistance Program can help eligible low-income households make their homes more energy efficient.
Instead of simply helping with one bill, weatherization may address problems that contribute to high energy costs. Improvements can make a home more energy efficient and may help reduce future heating and cooling expenses.
Utility Company Assistance
Your electric company may have its own payment arrangements, hardship programs, budget billing, or other assistance options.
Contact the utility company before the account becomes seriously overdue and ask what options are available.
Local Community Assistance
Local community organizations and social-service agencies may offer emergency assistance or referrals to programs that help with utility bills.
USA.gov also recommends checking government benefit programs and state social-service agencies when facing financial hardship.
How to Find Help Paying Your Electric Bill
- Check your eligibility for energy assistance. Start by checking whether you qualify for LIHEAP or another energy assistance program available in your state.
- Contact your local assistance office. LIHEAP is administered through state, territorial, or tribal programs, so the application process can differ depending on where you live.
- Contact your electric company. Ask about payment arrangements, hardship programs, shutoff protection, budget billing, emergency assistance, and local referral programs.
- Look for energy-efficiency assistance. If high electricity costs are a recurring problem, check whether you qualify for weatherization or energy-efficiency assistance.
- Search for other financial assistance. If you are struggling with several expenses at once, you may qualify for additional programs involving food, housing, healthcare, or other basic needs. USA.gov's Benefit Finder lets households search by categories including housing and utilities, food, health, disabilities, children and families, and financial assistance.