Utility Assistance

Alabama LIHEAP Energy Assistance: How Low Income Households Can Get 200 to 1,000 Dollars for Power Bills

Keeping the lights on should not be a luxury, and choosing between groceries and air conditioning is not a “budgeting problem” — it is a crisis.

Amount: Benefit amounts $200-$1,000 based on income, fuel type, and emergency status Deadline: Winter intake opens Dec 1; summer cooling opens June 1; applications accepted while funds last Location: Alabama

Arkansas Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

Helps low-income Arkansas households pay heating and cooling bills through seasonal grants, crisis aid, and weatherization support.

Type: Benefit Amount: $150–$1,500 per season depending on fuel type, household size, income, and crisis status Deadline: Regular assistance: typically January–April and July–September; crisis assistance available year-round while funds last Location: Arkansas

Austin Energy Customer Assistance Program (CAP)

Provides monthly utility bill discounts, fee waivers, and energy efficiency upgrades for income-eligible Austin residents.

Type: Benefit Amount: $25-$120 monthly electric discount plus water, wastewater, drainage, and solid waste fee reductions Deadline: Apply anytime; annual recertification Location: Texas and Austin

California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) Discount

Reduces electric and natural gas bills for eligible households served by investor-owned utilities in California.

Type: Benefit Amount: At least 30% off electricity and 20% off natural gas usage charges; higher discounts for high-energy-burden households Deadline: Apply anytime; recertify every 2 years (4 years for seniors and permanently disabled customers) Location: California

California LifeLine Telephone Service Program

Statewide discount on home and mobile phone service for eligible low-income households in California.

Type: Benefit Amount: $7.25 monthly federal Lifeline discount plus $14.85 state supplement; additional connection and service discounts Deadline: Apply within 30 days of receiving your California LifeLine application form Location: California

Chicago Utility Billing Relief (UBR) Program

Provides debt forgiveness and ongoing water, sewer, and garbage bill discounts for eligible Chicago households.

Type: Benefit Amount: Forgives 100% of past-due water/sewer/garbage debt after 12 on-time payments; current bills reduced by up to 50% Deadline: Apply anytime; re-evaluation annually Location: Illinois and Chicago

Georgia Energy Assistance Grants 2024 2025: How Low Income Households Can Get Up to 1000 for Power Bills and Repairs

When your power bill is bigger than your paycheck, you are not dealing with a “budgeting issue.” You are dealing with a math problem that does not add up.

Amount: Heating benefit $310-$500; crisis aid up to $1,000 plus equipment repair Deadline: Heating season opens Nov 1 for seniors/disabled, Dec 1 for others; cooling season starts Apr 1 Location: Georgia

Get help with energy bills | USAGov

Refundable credit that assists low-income Michigan households with winter heating costs.

Type: Benefit Amount: Average credit $200-$500; may exceed $1,000 for large households in high-cost zones Deadline: September 30 each year (Form MI-1040CR-7) Location: Michigan

Home Energy Assistance Program

Pays a portion of Maine households’ heating costs, delivers crisis fuel, and connects families to weatherization and energy counseling.

Amount: $200–$3,000+ annually depending on income, fuel usage, and vulnerability; additional crisis deliveries available Deadline: Intake opens July 1 for the upcoming heating season; crisis assistance available year-round while funding is available Location: Maine

Idaho Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

Helps Idaho households afford winter heating and summer cooling through bill credits, crisis aid, and energy education.

Type: Benefit Amount: $100–$1,200 per season for regular benefits; up to $1,500 for crisis or equipment repair assistance Deadline: Heating season intake opens in October; cooling assistance offered May–July where available Location: Idaho