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

City of Chicago water/sewer affordability program with reduced ongoing charges and debt forgiveness after successful 12-month participation.

Type: Benefit Amount: 50% reduction on water, sewer, and water-sewer tax charges; prior unpaid balance forgiven after successful 12-month completion Deadline: Apply anytime; enrollment period is 12 months and reapplication is required to continue 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 $300 to $500 Toward Your Heating Bill in North Carolina: A Practical Guide to the NC DHHS Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP)

Winter bills have a special talent: they show up loud, proud, and completely uninterested in your budget.

Amount: One-time heating payment $300-$500; crisis aid for disconnections and fuel delivery Deadline: Priority enrollment opens Dec 1 for seniors/disabled; general applications accepted Jan 1–Mar 31 Location: North Carolina

Get $300 to $750 Toward Your Heating Bill in South Carolina: A Practical Guide to the LIHEAP Utility Assistance Grant

Some bills are annoying. Energy bills can be scary.

Amount: Heating benefit $300-$750; crisis aid covers arrears, deposits, and equipment repairs Deadline: Applications accepted year-round while funds last; peak heating season Oct–Mar Location: South Carolina

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