Texas programs for utility bills

[ShantelDee]

I am 65, on disability, and very low income. I’ve been on the Texas CEAP program for about 3 years. I have always had TXU. I live in a very small house and don’t run much electricity.
In 2024, I received pledges, but they were applied within a 4-month period. That covered summer, but my electricity was still turned off twice. I do not have enough money to pay. I qualified for CEAP again this January, but my bill was higher than the pledge amount, and now I owe $125.
I’ve tried to find out why. Neighborhood Services just told me there’s nothing more they can do and that I need to “just deal with it.” TXU has told me they will turn it off, and they are very mean about it. I don’t understand. I was told that if I did get a bill, it would be paid, but now I’m being told in a very rude way that they’ve done everything they can. That’s not right.
I can’t get any help, and my electric will be shut off. Someone needs to help me see why my bill is so high. CEAP pledged, I believe, $190, yet I’m left owing $125. I know all electric companies are supposed to have help programs so that service doesn’t get cut off. Neighborhood Services had told me that if I received a bill, it would be covered.
The people in the Cleburne office have been rude and unhelpful. Please help me. My electric will be shut off on Monday.

[Admin - Jon McNamara]

Hi all,
There are many programs that help pay electric bills in Texas. They are mostly utility company specific (see details on this URL) but then again you have CEAP program (the Texas version of LIHEAP) as well as some charities that may offer limited funds to pay electric bills. We have a list of resources, and look here for the electric bill assistance programs in Texas. https://www.needhelppayingbills.com/htm ... _assi.html

[Kramer]

Again any assistance for utility bill will be most appreciated. Thank you for you time and consideration.
I live in Lumberton, Texas which is in Hardin County. I have 2 little boys and my electricity has been turned off as of Thursday June 8, 2023. I desperately need help in getting it reconnected and after reading through your page I am still unsure who to contact. LIHEAP is no longer taking applications for utility bill help in Texas. I have already applied with Texas Utility Help back in May and I am still waiting for my application to be processed. If you could please provide me with the information I need I would be very grateful. Thank you.

[Hotone]

Hello, I have been trying to get information about needing assistance with utility bills from a program. Whoever I end up calling, I keep getting referred to another agency. I live in Texas and my email address.
I am currently living on social security disability along with my 3 year old daughter and my wife. I've tried the 211 for here in Texas and keep getting the same referrals, who then refer me to other possible help. I keep going in circles and really need some assistance with this and what is available. It seems that there is only help for veterans, which I am not, but that doesn't seem quite right. Respectfully,

[Lady Leaving]

I live in Taft, Texas which is San Patricio County.
I was wanting some information as to how I can get help with my electricity bill. I have called left a message no response back yet. I have also called other numbers for help who in turn give me a different number and they tell me to call the same number that gave me their number. My husband lost his job while I was on my last 2 days of school. I then went back to work that weekend, but I’m having a hard time getting my electricity in Texas caught up along with other bills.

[Admin - Jon McNamara]

There are some options, one being the Dallas Salvation Army. They may have, from time to time, emergency funds to help pay utility bills, especially if a health or safety issue is i effect.

My name is Curtis Ridge St.
I live in Dallas, TX and I'm looking for some help for my utility. I'm not able to pay all my Bills.

[chass]

My name is Curtis Ridge St.
I live in Dallas, TX and I'm looking for some help for my utility. I'm not able to pay all my Bills. What is it that I need to do to get assistance? Can you also tell me about the EOAC program. I believe they also help with utility. I'm not for sure. Could you please help me. I have an electric bill that I got to paid with TXU but I don't have the money to pay. Please help and let me what I need to do.

[Admin - Jon McNamara]

We have an entire site/page, etc. focused on Texas. Whether gas or utility bills there are options available. And yes, we are having a nice day! Find the programs here. https://www.needhelppayingbills.com/htm ... grams.html

Hello hope you’re having a great day. I was just needing to find out about getting some help with my utilities and gas bill.

[Shah]

I am in a financial bind and I'm needing help with my electric. I'm 4 months pregnant and currently job hunting. I am from Marshall Texas, 75672. Please contact me letting me know what all I can do to apply for financial help.
Thanks in advance.

[Tran]

Hello hope you’re having a great day. I was just needing to find out about getting some help with my utilities and gas bill. I have 2 children a 3 year old and a 3 month old which are both sick at the moment. I had complications with my pregnancy and I have just now been released to go back to work so I am in desperate need of help paying theses bills because they are threatening to turn them off. I live in weatherboard Texas.

[Sarisk]

Hi, I am a struggling single mother of two boys; one is 11 and the other is 2. My water and electric was disconnected today by the city of Splendora TX and I don't get paid till Monday and even then my check is only 280 a week and will barely cover my water bill and the re connection fee. In total it will cost me $243.00 to have my water reconnected. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

[Whitney]

Hi, I am needing some help paying my electric bill it will be turned off by next Monday. Today is the 29th of March 2017. I've called some of the resources here in Lubbock and they either have no funding or they say I have to have an appointment but they're not taking appointments because they're all booked.
They only take appointment on certain days of the week and the day I have to call is not that day of the week. If there's anyone who could please just leave me in the right direction to who I might be able to get assistance from I would really appreciate it. I'm at my wits end and I don't know what I'm going to do. I would like to say thank you to anyone who can help me I can't help me just say thank you for even reading my email. May God bless you, Thanks.

[Shah]

I am emailing for single parent and unemployed client to get assistance with lights. The electricity has been turned off for 3 days and the client has a 2 year old son who suffers from severe asthma and has to take breathing treatments daily due to illness.
The temperature here in Texas makes it unbearable for the child to live without lights and the child has been in the home for 2 days without electricity and has been in the ER once this week due the situation. The mother lost her job and has no source of income at all at this time. She is however looking for employment and she has reached out to various agencies and no one is able to help.
All of her food has spoiled and she has no means of cooking any food for the child. If there is anything CPS can do this will help this family and this sick child, she has tried to plead with CPS but the rules and regulations will not work with a payment plan or resources for lights.
Please contact the client if any help you ca provide her and her son, they cannot continue to live in apartment with no lights or means to cook. Please contact the client.

[Eugeee Scott]

Hi, I have a daughter that has had a heart problem from the age 16 to now. She has had a lot if Heart surgeries. She has been working but lost her job but now she has another one. She got behind on the utility. She need help with paying for the increase in her bills till she get on her feet.
She is having to live with her sister as she doesn't make enough for a place to live. She is living in Spring-town Texas but works in Dallas Texas. Please help her. It want be for long. Also her car payment is behind and she just told me they called today and told her she had to make a payment or they will come get the car. We really need help.

[Brady12]

HI, I live in Texas with my 3 amazing children and my boyfriend. We have been without electricity for a few months, because our electric bill was 500 dollars and we were two weeks late because we couldn't afford it. We try to maintain running a generator to have lights, water, and air. We were both unemployed, but God blessed me with a job. He is still looking.
I've asked churches for help, family, and friends. No one can help me. I need to get my lights turned on. I can't afford to move and my kids don't deserve this. Please contact me. Thank you. Sent from my Verizon Smartphone.

[Wrangler]

I have a disabled fiancé with 2 children that lives with me in Dallas Texas. I am the only source of income for our family and with the cold fall weather and winter just around the corner I am in desperate need of help getting my heat turned back on and my electric bill paid up so it doesn't get shut off.
We’ve had a rough 2 years and I was hoping to be able to catch up on everything by now but we haven't been able to get our heads above water. As soon as I think we are going to be OK something happens. I've had a lot of car problems and home maintenance problems on our Texas home over the last year so it’s been financially hard to get ahead. We haven't had a hot water tank in a year. We are heating our water for daily uses and after paying for an electrician to come in and replace the breaker box check all of the outlets and lights (which some were taken out because they weren't safe to keep) our car breaking down to having to finally get another one so I can have a dependable vehicle we can count on everyday which is another monthly payment we really couldn't afford. But it was necessary to having to replace the water lines 2 times in the last year it has really drained us financially. We are starting to get to the point we can financially make it but with the bills being so far behind and the cold weather coming I don’t know if we can do it in time without some help.

[Cuomo]

Greetings:
Can you please tell me who offer services with the LIHEAP Program here in Houston Texas? What agencies directly will assist with helping with my utilities. I am a Senior on fixed income and has some medical issues.
Are there several programs named under the LIHEAP Program? Certain agencies that is under this program, or what?
Please explain and inform me who and where I need to go to get assistance. My time is running out and the electric company will make me pay another deposit if I don't get my bill caught up.

[Yolanda1]

I am a 50 year old former barber- hairstylist. I am unable to work in this profession because of an accident that caused injury to one of my hands and wrist. I am presently doing odd jobs when I can find them. I was approved for a Lone Star card so I now am able to buy food. I have no help from family. I sold my truck so I can have a place to live and pay my utilities.
It gets harder and harder to pay my water and electric bills. I have Ambit Electric and the lady there said that I might qualify for assistance. She suggested I check with Lite Up Texas but I have tried to get in touch with them and the number for them does not respond. It says try back later. I need information on who I can contact to seek help. Thank you very much.

[Malawai]

Hello, We and our a family of 4 and my husband, has gone through 5 eye surgeries since January of this year and I've had 2 back surgery’s as well and right now we have a discount ion order for the 28 of April.

I've called every where here in Houston Texas trying to find some type of help with my outstanding light bill if you might now any where or might have some kind of assistants. Please reply me back. Any time of information because right now I am very worried because I have two children that has hearts problems and scared that my bills are going to get cut off again.
Thank you hope to hear back from you.

[Admin - Jon McNamara]

Yes, we do have information on many utility programs in Texas. Now repairs to units is not common. Maybe explore CEAP in that state. Or another option is weatherization. But really almost every single energy, gas, and utility company in Texas offers some type of emergency program. You need to call around. Ask a community action agency in Texas for referrals, talk to your utility company, and be aggressive in calling. Click more details.