Texas

Low-Income Energy Programs
Federal | State | Utility | Charitable

Federal

LIHEAP Contact
Public Inquiries: 877-399-8939 or 877-541-7905
Website

LIHEAP Administering Agency Contacts
Local Administering Agency Contacts

Weatherization Assistance Program
Local Administering Agency Contacts

LIHEAP FY 2024 Funding
$196,285,905
*including additional $8,394,348 from Infrastructure and Jobs Act (IIJA), (Pub. L. 117-58)

LIHEAP Income Eligibility Level
60% State Median Income

LIHEAP FY 2024 Benefit
Heating and Cooling: $1 minimum, $12,300 maximum
Crisis: $2,400 maximum
Weatherization: $12,000

LIHEAP Households Served in FY 2023
Heating: 47,945
Cooling: 75,317
Year-round Crisis: 9,412
Weatherization: 1,358

LIHEAP Program Dates
Year-round

State

Low-Income Energy Efficiency

The electric competition law created a System Benefit Fund, part of which is used to help finance energy efficiency programs. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) will administer energy efficiency programs in coordination with existing weatherization programs. Utilities will develop standard-offer programs to install energy efficiency measures that may include: compact fluorescent light bulb lease-purchase programs, refrigerator and air-conditioner lease-purchase programs, and water-flow restrictors (low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators) provided free of charge. Independent service providers will deliver these services to customers. TDHCA operates partnership programs with: Central Power & Light, El Paso Electric, Entergy, HLP / Reliant, Southwest Public Service, Southwestern Electric Power, Texas Utilities Electric, Texas-New Mexico Power and West Texas Utilities.
www.tdhca.state.tx.us/community-affairs/wap/index.htm
Locate a local service provider.

Utility

Low Income Rate Assistance

Austin Energy 
CAP Discounts
Customers on low or fixed incomes who participate in certain state, federal, or local assistance programs may be eligible for electric, water and wastewater waivers and discounts. You may be eligible if you or someone in your household participates in one of these programs:

  • Medicaid Program
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
  • Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
  • Telephone Lifeline Program
  • Travis County Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP)
  • Medical Access Program (MAP)
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Please call 855-319-6630 with any questions you may have about eligibility.
To apply, print and fill out the Customer Assistance Discount form, include documentation of participation in one of the above programs, and send to:

City of Austin Customer Care Contact Center - Customer Assistance Programs
PO Box 142669
Austin, TX 78714-2669

Or fax to: 855-319-6629
Call 855-319-6630 to request a form by mail.

CPS Energy (San Antonio)

  • Affordability Discount Residential customers whose income is at or below 125% of Federal Poverty Guidelines and who meet at least one of the following requirements qualify for a discount on their monthly service availability charge — $6.55 per month for electric customers and $3.15 for gas customers. In addition to meeting Federal Poverty Guidelines, qualified individuals: must be 60 years of age or older; have a disability; use life-sustaining medical equipment; or have pre-school aged children or children in school 18 years or younger; meet Veterans' Discount qualifications; or have extenuating circumstances determined by CPS Energy or the City of San Antonio. Qualifications for the Affordability Discount are determined by the City's Department of Community Initiatives.
    For more information, call 210-353-2222.
    www.cpsenergy.com/content/corporate/en/my-home/ways-to-save/customer-assist-programs/affordability-discounts.html
  • Residential Energy Assistance Partnership (REAP) Financial assistance is available through the Residential Energy Assistance Partnership (REAP) for residents of San Antonio or Bexar County. This program helps disadvantaged elderly, disabled and low-income customers with small children pay their CPS Energy bill. REAP recipients are eligible for financial assistance twice a year (up to $400 per year) -- once during the heating season and again during the cooling season.
    https://www.cpsenergy.com/content/corporate/en/my-home/ways-to-save/customer-assist-programs/reap.html
  • Veterans Discount Military veterans who have significantly decreased abilities to regulate their body's core temperature because of severe burns received during armed conflict or in combat may receive up to $90 per month off of the electric portion of their CPS Energy bill. This discount will be effective for the months of April through October. For the months of November through March, applicants may apply for the Electric Affordability Discount Program. An applicant may participate in only one electric discount at a time. However, participants may participate in the Affordability Gas Discount while receiving the Veterans' Discount. Medical confirmation will be required every 12 months for program participation. A medical military facility certification is required to determine eligibility. Customers interested in utilizing this program should print and complete an application (see website link below) and fax it to 210-353-3666. Customers also may call 210-353-4838 (4VET)to request an enrollment package.
    https://www.cpsenergy.com/content/dam/corporate/en/Documents/Veterans_Discount_Application.pdf

El Paso Electric
Low Income Rider
Eligible customers will not be billed the Residential Service Customer Charge.
Eligibility: Food Stamp recipient 915-543-5970
www.epelectric.com/page/special-services-for-low-income-customers

Reliant

  • Reliant has a moratorium on disconnecting electricity service for low-income seniors, critical-care customers and other low-income residential customers who contact Reliant Energy and agree to a payment plan Call 713-207-7777 or 866-222-7100
  • Waived residential customer deposits for senior citizens 65 and older. Call 713-207-7777 or 866-222-7100
  • Low Income Deposit (LID) Program Assists customers in the Centerpoint service territory to pay the deposit for their electricity service. Qualified customers include seniors aged 60-64 (deposit is waived for seniors 65 and above), families with children aged 6 years old or younger and disabled individuals. Call toll free at 866-735-4268 for assistance or contact one of the agencies below: Harris County Social Services 713-696-7900 Ft. Bend Social Services 281-342-7300 Galveston County Community Action Council 409-762-8418

Summit Utilities
Heating Assistance Fund
Program funds are administered by the Heart of Arkansas United Way (HAUW). To apply, or if you have questions about how to receive funding, reach out to The Heart of Arkansas United Way:
Email: shaf@heartaruw.org
https://www.summitutilities.com/heating-assistance-fund

Low Income Energy Efficiency

Atmos Energy
Keeping the Warmth
Qualified customers may receive up to $200 worth of caulking, weather-stripping, sealing, insulation and like materials. To enroll in the program, customers can call the company's Customer Support Center at 1-888-286-6700 or sign up at a local energy assistance agency.
www.atmosenergy.com/home/efficiency/midtex.html

Austin Energy
Energy Home Improvements
Available improvements for income-qualified customers include: attic insulation; ductwork sealing and/or repair; door weatherstripping; solar screen installation; window replacements; carbon monoxide and smoke detectors; and minor plumbing improvements.
Please call 512-482-5346 for application and questions.

CPS Energy (San Antonio)
Casa Verde
Casa Verde is CPS Energy's residential weatherization assistance program. It is designed to help families in need to reduce their monthly utility bills. Eligible homeowners or renters may receive FREE weatherization measures designed to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. These weatherization measures can help reduce energy bills, especially during the hot summer months.

Emergency Charitable Assistance

Please note these charitable funds are last resort emergency funds with limited resources and limited times of operation. 

Atmos Energy
Sharing the Warmth
Customer donations combine with company donations to help people pay their gas bills. All donations go directly to local people in need that meet criteria established by each individual program's guidelines. To contact the energy assistance agency in your area visit www.atmosenergy.com/cs/sharethewarmth.html

Austin Energy

  • PLUS 1 Emergency utility bill assistance is available to help pay utility bills of customers facing extraordinary situations such as loss of job or medical problems. The funding is distributed through about 15 community assistance groups such as Travis County Family Support Services. Find contact information for social service agencies.

Entergy Texas
The Power to Care
Funds provide short-term utility bill assistance to low-income elderly or disabled. 1-800-368-3749
www.entergy-texas.com/our_community/fuel_fund.aspx

Entergy
Beat The Heat
During May, thousands of fans are distributed to customers by numerous partner agencies such as Total Community Action, Salvation Army and various Councils on Aging and with the assistance of employee volunteers.
1-800-368-3749

Central Texas Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Operation Round Up
Member donations provide funds for individuals with special needs, health and rescue organizations, food banks, educational projects, and child care programs. Applications from individuals, organizations and communities will be accepted by a voluntary board, which will review and approve applications for assistance based on demonstrated need and funds available. An application form is available on the website.
www.ctec.coop/content/operation-round

Comanche Electric Cooperative
Operation Round Up
Donated funds may be used for community service projects, economic development, education and youth programs, crisis centers or individuals needing emergency assistance. Application forms for groups and individuals are available at Comanche Electric Cooperative.
1-800-915-2533 or 325-356-2533

CPS Energy (San Antonio)

  • Residential Energy Assistance Partnership (REAP) This program helps disadvantaged elderly, disabled and low-income customers with small children pay their  CPS Energy bill. The City of San Antonio and Bexar County are responsible for the distribution of REAP funds to qualifying individuals and families. REAP recipients are eligible for financial assistance twice a year (up to $400 per year) — once during the heating season and again during the cooling season. To qualify for REAP, you must:

    • Be at or below 125 percent of the federal poverty level and must be experiencing a financial hardship.
    • Have children 3 years of age or younger.
    • Be elderly, handicapped or require critical-care equipment.
    • Be a resident of San Antonio or Bexar County .

    If you qualify and would like to receive REAP assistance, contact the City’s Department of Community Initiatives at 207-7830 or Bexar County’s Department of Community Resources at 210-335-3666 (on Tuesdays after 9:00 a.m.) for an appointment. Or request an application by mail by writing to: 233 N. Pecos #590, San Antonio, Texas 78207.
    https://www.cpsenergy.com/content/corporate/en/my-home/ways-to-save/customer-assist-programs/reap.html

  • Project WARM Administered by the City of San Antonio (210-207-7830) and the Bexar County Housing and Human Services Department (210-335-6770, Project WARM also provides utility assistance to CPS customers. The program is funded by royalty interests from natural gas reserves donated by the Wagner & Brown Partnership of Midland, Texas. Recipients can only receive aid once a year from either REAP Inc. or Project WARM.
    www.cpsenergy.com/content/corporate/en/my-home/ways-to-save/customer-assist-programs/warm.html

Denton Municipal
P-L-U-S One Program
Customer contributions are forwarded to Interfaith Ministries, which disburses the funds to hardship-stricken families to help maintain their utility service. 940-349-8700
http://www.cityofdenton.com/departments-services/departments-a-f/denton-municipal-electric/customer-programs/p-l-u-s-one

El Paso Electric
Project Care
Project Care is a cash relief program helping families with financial emergencies to pay a month’s electric bill. Funds for the program are obtained through donations from EPE customers and are matched by EPE shareholders.
915-543-5970
www.epelectric.com/page/special-services-for-low-income-customers

First Choice Power
Care to Share
Customer and utility donations provide emergency assistance.
866-469-2464
https://www.firstchoicepower.com/texas/billing-and-payment/billing-services 

Lubbock Power & Light
Project Helping Hands
Customers needing help paying their utility bill can contact one of the energy assistance agencies for more information.

New Braunfels Utilities
Utility Bill Assistance Program
Designed to aid persons in NBU’s service area to pay for their electric, water and wastewater bills. The Salvation Army of Comal County manages the program for NBU and is charged with accepting applications, determining qualifications and deciding how much assistance will be granted to each applicant.
Contact the Salvation Army of Comal County directly at 830-608-9129 for more information.
www.nbutexas.com/CustomerCare/ResidentialCustomers/HighBillAssistance/ UtilityBillAssistanceProgram/tabid/412/Default.aspx

Reliant Energy
CARE
A community-based program designed to support Reliant Energy customers who are having difficulty making ends meet because of extreme hardship, such as loss of income, illness or death in the family. Customers looking for assistance can call 211 from anywhere in the state of Texas to locate the agencies with CARE funding.

Sam Houston Electric Cooperative
Helping Hands Program
Sam Houston Electric Cooperative's non-profit Helping Hands Program provides funding to help members in financial and/or physical distress pay their energy related bills. The Program is funded entirely by contributions from Sam Houston Electric Cooperative employees and members.
Livingston 936-327-5711
Coldspring 936-653-5400
Woodville 409-283-8251
http://www.samhouston.net/community/helping-hands

San Bernard Electric Cooperative 
Operation Roundup
Member donations assist members in need with utility bill payments. These are most often elderly or disabled members on a fixed income or a member in a crisis situation.
409-865-3171 or 1-800-364-3171
www.sbec.org/content/bill-payment-assistance 

South Plains Electric Cooperative
Operation Round-Up
Member donations are spent locally for: individuals - including victims of fire or medical tragedies and scholarships; communities - including youth programs, city and county projects and school projects and organizations - including Texas Boys Ranch, Women's Protective Services, YWCA, Hospice of Lubbock, Kiwanis, Volunteer Fire Departments and others.
http://www.spec.coop/v/operation-round-up/

TXU Energy 
TXU Energy AidSM
Using the contributions made by TXU Energy employees and customers, selected social service agencies across Texas administer the funds used to assist families and veterans with their energy bills.
For more information call 1-800-242-9113 or send an email to txuexec@txu.com
https://www.txu.com/company/why-txu-energy/energy-aid.aspx

United Cooperative Services
Operation Roundup
Member donations help other members with heating and air-conditioning equipment repair, equipment for the handicapped, life support equipment, electric bills, medical bills, staple food items and prescription medicine.
Office contacts
http://www.united-cs.com/content/operation-roundup

WTU Direct Energy
Neighbor to Neighbor
Customer donations are matched dollar for dollar to provide assistance with electric bills. Contact your local agency for assistance.
Aspermont 940-989-3538
Marfa 432-729-4876
Crosbyton 1-800-692-4164
Coleman 1-800-625-4167 x239
Abilene 325-673-5785
Pecos 432-447-4913
Amarillo 806-372-2531
Fort Stockton 432-336-7526
Crowell 1-888-606-8889
San Angelo 325-657-4400 or 325-653-1680
LaMesa 915-652-8554
www.directenergy.com/texas/customer-support/neighbor-to-neighbor