Financial assistance for Entergy bills in Texas.
Families and customers in the companies service territory that meet approved low income standards can apply for utility bill assistance from Entergy. Financial assistance, government grants, or payment plans for utility bills can be provided to low-income qualified individuals. In addition, a number of free weatherization and energy conservation programs are available to help individuals across Texas save money on their monthly utility and cooling bills. A major focus of Entergy is on helping the vulnerable, including disabled and elderly.
Bill Payment Extension, Pick-A-Date, and Level Billing
These are some of the assistance programs that Entergy runs themselves. Dial the company at 1-800-368-3749 to speak to a customer service representative. They can provide more details, help individuals apply, and provide guidance.
Bill management is when someone can receive just a couple extra days to pay off their monthly bills. Entergy Texas realizes that from time to time your paydays and bill due dates are not in sync. Sometimes people need just a few extra days to coordinate the payment of their utility or electric bill. The company will work with you on payment options and plans in order to help you fix things now, and to get back on track.
Extensions can help and maybe are offered for eligible low income customers and people who are faced with an emergency. The program can provide customers up to four additional days to pay their utility, electric, and cooling bills. Individuals can sign up using an automated system, or they can speak to a customer service representative. During this extension period, feel free to also look into Entergy payment plans, which can be offered in certain situations to qualified individuals.
The Entergy Pick-A-Date program is a service that allows people to pick a date in which they want to be billed. A main beneficiary of this program is people who receive monthly income checks, such as a SSI or disability check, and who need to plan their payments. So you can pay your bill when you receive your source of income. It is similar to the bill management service indicated above.
Entergy Level Billing program
The Level Billing option, which is often called budget billing, allows anyone to pay the same amount for their electric bills throughout the year. Any Entergy Texas customer can sign up, regardless of their income level or household assets. There are no fees, charges or application processes in place for it either.
This service makes it much easier for customers to budget and plan for their costs, regardless of their usage and the season. So many people in Texas experience spikes in their bills during the hot summer months. This will no longer happen. Each bill that is mailed out will be an average of 12 month’s worth of your previous bills.
Government assistance and non-profit programs
The Power to Care is offered for Entergy customers who are elderly, low-income, or disabled. The objective is to help neighbors in need pay their bills, and avoid disconnections. The program relies on customer donations, and all money goes to the less fortunate to help them pay their energy bills in times of financial distress or needs.
Power to Care is administered by community action agencies across Texas, and the local non-profits accept and process applications.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program assists low-income households, particularly those with the lowest incomes and disproportionately highest energy costs. The government program will help low income families by paying out cash grants directly to Entergy. It is often called CEAP in Texas.
Renters and homeowners can apply for LIHEAP, and the program does not distinguish between them. The applying households total income needs to meet government guidelines, and it is normally within 150% of federal government poverty guidelines.
Energy conservation and savings from the Weatherization Assistance Program is available for Entergy customers. It is funded by the federal government, and it is administered from community action agencies across Texas. The government program primarily focuses on helping people save money on their utility bills, with a focus on the disabled, elderly, and low-income Texas families with children. Weatherization can help people make their homes more energy efficient.
First an energy audit will need to be conducted on a home. After that is complete, the government program will pay for installation of the most cost-effective energy efficiency measures, such as CFL bulbs, insulation, or windows. Entergy customers can get more information on this Texas program by dialing 1-800-421-0762, or call your local community action agency.
Phone number and how to get assistance from Entergy in Texas
The main customer service number is 1-800-368-3749. They will help low income and/or struggling customers explore both their own financial assistance programs as well as disconnection prevention programs, or the company will offer referrals.
Agencies for Entergy weatherization, LIHEAP, and Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program may be an option too. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs also runs a program known as Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP). This is the states version of LIHEAP. The application details are below.
- Program for Human Services (PHS), 3423 Martin Street, Orange, TX 77630, 1-866-550-0282. This agency supports customers in the counties of Chamber, Galveston, Hardin, Jefferson, Liberty, and Orange counties.
- Montgomery County Emergency Assistance (MCEA), 1022 McCall, Conroe, Texas. Dial (936) 539-9211 in Conroe, (281)292-4155 in The Woodlands, or (281)-577-8979 in New Caney.
- Brazos Valley Community Action Agency (BVCAA), 1500 University Drive East, College Station, Texas 77840. Phone (979) 846-1100. Agency supports residents in Burleson, Grimes, Leon, Madison, Montgomery, Robertson, and Walker counties.
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