Energy assistance programs offered by utility companies.

Utility companies offer their customers various energy bill assistance programs to help them prevent a disconnection. Programs can also assist with paying or saving money on their monthly energy bills. The companies can provide direct financial assistance or they can provide credits and grants to help customers pay their energy, heating, or cooling bills. Or certain programs can help individuals save money on their utilities through such services as weatherization and other energy bill conservation programs.

The specifics of each program will vary based upon the utility company, the state or county you live in, your income and many other factors. For example, some utility companies will have local non-profits process applications and administer the funds to those who need help. Other companies may partner with government agencies, and yet other energy companies will provide the heating and energy bill assistance directly to families and individuals who apply for assistance with paying their energy bills.

At the end of the day utility companies do not want to disconnect their customer’s power and they will try to assist as many people as possible with paying their energy bills. It is bad publicity for them when they have a large number of disconnections, and it is expensive to both turn off service and also potentially reconnect a customer’s utilities at a later day. So most companies try to offer as many grants and financial assistance programs as possible and can also direct people to other non-profits, government programs, and other services. You should always call your utility company as soon as possible to ask for help and learn about the options that may be available to you.