Reliant Energy assistance programs.
Customers of Reliant Energy, in particular the low income, may be able to get help from several assistance programs. Services can help individuals pay their utility and electric bills, save money, and the company can also provide referrals to federal government and state of Texas energy assistance programs.
One of the primary options offered is a payment plan and moratorium on disconnections. Reliant Energy has put into place a moratorium on the disconnection of utility services for low-income residential customers, seniors, and critical-care customers. In order to qualify for a moratorium a customer will need to meet certain conditions, including entering into and adhering to a payment plan for paying past and future electric bills with Reliant.
Discounts from Lite-Up Texas can help customers save money on their bills. Low-income customers may be qualified for a summer discount on their cooling and air conditioning bills. There are several guidelines that need to be met. One is that an applicant will need to meet certain government low income and poverty guidelines. However those households in the Reliant service territory that are currently receiving Medicaid or Food Stamps will automatically be included in the Lite Up Texas savings program. An application will be required, and supporting documentation will need to be provided to the energy provider. Applicants need to be able to provide proof of their financial hardship, including expenses, income, and information on their budget. Call 1-888-782-8477.
Utility connection deposits can be waived as well. This service can be provided to income qualified seniors who are 65 years of age or older, and may be able to be offered to others on a very limited basis.
An additional program for paying utility deposits is administered as well. This one is known as the Low Income Deposit (LID) Program. Assistance may be provided for low income customers in the Reliant Energy service territory, and services can help them pay the deposit on their electricity service. Qualified customers can range from seniors aged 60-64 (deposit is waived for seniors 65 and older as indicated above), disabled individuals, and/or families with children aged 6 years old or younger. This program is run in partnership with some non-profits including the Ft. Bend and Harris County Social Services as well as community action agencies across the Reliant Energy service territory.
Reliant Energy CARE assistance is a community-based program designed to support low income families and struggling customers of Reliant Energy who are faced with a hardship. The priority is given to those people who are having difficulty making ends meet because of an extreme hardship, such as death in the family, loss of income, or some type of emergency illness or medical condition.
One-time annual cash assistance may be provided to qualified Reliant Energy customers from CARE. A number of non-profit social service agencies and charities across Texas manage the program, and can provide qualified individuals with the grants to pay their electric bills. The various non-profit agencies review low income customer cases and qualify them based upon the specific agency’s designated hardship criteria, so the application process may in fact differ by each and every non-profit agency. To find an agency near you, customers can call Reliant, or look in their phone book or search online.
As it is a community program, CARE is funded by private as well as corporate contributions and many generous donations from employees, local charities and customers. The CARE program, which is formally known as Community Assistance from Reliant Energy, provides individuals with a helping hand during a difficult period in their lives.
Reliant Energy also fully supports and can help people apply for the various federal government programs such as LIHEAP and weatherization. These are the two primary federal government and state of Texas programs that will provide either grants for paying bills or savings in the form of conservation measures to your home. Both are for qualified low income, disabled, and the elderly.
Assistance programs during the summer - Low income customers and seniors who are falling behind on their utility bills during the summertime have additional resources available to them. Reliant will do their best to help Texas families during the hot weather, as lack of air conditioning or fans can lead to a serious medical condition or worse. Click here for details on the summer assistance programs.
To learn more about these financial assistance programs call Reliant Energy at 866-222-7100 or dial 713-207-7777.
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