Help Paying Utility and Electric Bills in Arizona
Arizona has more utility bill assistance options than most residents realize — and the extreme summer heat makes finding the right one genuinely urgent. The major electric utilities — Arizona Public Service, Salt River Project, Tucson Electric Power, and UniSource — each run their own emergency funds, monthly discount programs, and payment arrangements alongside the federal LIHEAP cooling and heating grants as well as Power AZ. Natural gas customers have Southwest Gas programs including a recurring low-income rate discount and an emergency fund. This page will help you find, and understand, the various programs that may help pay utilities.
What makes Arizona somewhat different from other states is the layering of options available — a customer might qualify for a monthly discount rate, an emergency one-time grant through their utility's charitable fund, free weatherization to cut future bills, and a government LIHEAP grant, all at the same time and all from different programs. The sections below break out what each utility offers and what the government provides, so you can identify every option that applies to your situation rather than settling for just one.
Statewide Government Programs
LIHEAP — Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
Federally funded grants to help pay heating and cooling bills for income-eligible Arizona households. Crisis applications receive expedited processing. Applies to electric, gas, propane, and other fuel types. Apply through DES online at https://des.az.gov/liheap or call 1-866-494-1981 (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.). LIHEAP program dates vary by county: See the NHPB guide to Arizona LIHEAP for more in depth details.
- Coconino, Yavapai, Navajo, Apache, Greenlee, Graham, Cochise, Santa Cruz counties: Heating November 1–March 31; Cooling April 1–October 31
- Mohave, La Paz, Yuma, Maricopa, Gila, Pinal, Pima counties: Heating December 1–March 31; Cooling April 1–November 30
Power AZ — Statewide Utility Assistance
Power AZ is a new state program that expands utility bill help to households who earn too much to qualify for LIHEAP. There is both a regular component as well as crisis payment for households facing shutoff. You apply for both LIHEAP and Power AZ on the same form; DES determines which you qualify for. Apply at the DES A-to-Z Arizona Portal https://atoz.az.gov/Arizona/s/landing-page or call 1-866-494-1981. Funding is limited and first-come, first-served.
Home Energy Assistance Fund (HEAF)
An emergency fund specifically for extreme financial hardship — when a family cannot pay an overdue utility bill and is at risk of shutoff. Provides generally up to $500 one time per 12-month period. Administered by Wildfire (formerly the Arizona Community Action Association) through local Community Action Program offices in every county. Call 602-604-0640 or visit https://wildfireaz.org/ to find your local CAP office.
Free Air Conditioners and Cooling Help
When funds are available, Area Agencies on Aging, local social service offices, and charities provide free fans or window AC units to seniors, people with medical conditions, and low-income families with young children. Availability varies by year and county. Call 211 or your county's Area Agency on Aging for current availability. See also the guide to free air conditioners and cooling equipment.
Free Weatherization
Free home energy efficiency improvements — insulation, weather-stripping, ductwork repairs, window improvements — for income-qualified households. Administered through community action agencies. Reduces future bills rather than paying current ones. Contact your local Community Action Agency or call 211.
How to Get Help Fast
- Call 211 — free, 24/7, statewide; connects you to local utility assistance, food, housing, and other programs
- Apply for LIHEAP/Power AZ: des.az.gov/liheap or call 1-866-494-1981
- Find your local Community Action Agency: wildfireaz.org or azcaa.org. See the Arizona Community Action page.
- Apply early — most programs are first-come, first-served and run out of funds
Utility Company Specific Programs
Arizona Public Service (APS)
APS serves customers across 11 Arizona counties. Customers facing hardship have several options. Call 602-371-7171 or 800-253-9405, available 24/7. The main website is https://www.aps.com/en/Residential/Account/Assistance-Programs.
- Energy Support Program: Monthly discount of 25% (up to $95/month) or 60% (up to $165/month) for income-qualified customers. Apply online at aps.com or call 844-309-5655.
- Crisis Bill Assistance: Up to $1,000 per year for customers who have experienced a loss of income, an unexpected major expense, or a medical condition affecting health or safety. Apply through a local community agency.
- APS CARE (Crisis Assistance Relief Effort): Formerly called Project S.H.A.R.E. (the original name is retired). When funding exists, up to $500 in emergency bill assistance per year through The Salvation Army for customers in financial crisis, regardless of income. Contact your local Salvation Army to apply.
- Power AZ: APS customers can apply for the new statewide Power AZ program through DES. APS will refer customers accordingly.
- Medical Care Equipment Program: Customers with verified medical needs requiring powered equipment may qualify for additional discounts (35–60% off monthly bills). Call 844-309-5655.
- Payment arrangements: Call 602-371-7171 to request a payment extension or set up a payment plan before a shutoff notice is issued.
- Safety Net: Designate a friend or family member to receive a copy of your bill and be notified if your account is in danger of disconnection.
Electrical District No. 3 (ED3)
ED3 is a public power utility serving the city of Maricopa, the town of Stanfield, and surrounding agricultural areas in Pinal County. The district offers payment plans and works with local community action agencies to administer emergency financial assistance programs for customers facing hardship. Contact ED3 directly to ask about current programs and eligibility. Website: https://www.ed3online.org/about-us/contact-us.
Glendale Water and Power (GWP)
GWP serves Glendale, Arizona, providing both electric and water service. The Helping Hand Program provides one-time grants up to $150 to help pay utility bills or cover a reconnection deposit for low-income customers facing a temporary financial emergency. This is not a recurring subsidy. Call 623-930-3639.
- Additional options: Payment plans and budget billing are available. Contact GWP directly to discuss your account before service is interrupted.
Mohave Electric Cooperative (MEC)
MEC serves the Bullhead City and surrounding area. The Members Helping Members Energy Assistance Program provides emergency bill assistance funded annually by MEC's board of directors and administered by River Fund, Inc. Assistance is determined case-by-case up to $200 per household, paid directly to your MEC account. Applications are available at the MEC Customer Service Office or at River Fund's Arizona branch. River Fund Arizona: 928-704-0039, 1341 Hancock Rd., Bullhead City. MEC Member Services: 928-763-1100.
- Additional options: MEC customers can also contribute or receive help through From the Heart with River Fund and Operation Round Up — customer-donation programs also administered by River Fund.
Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA)
NTUA provides utility service to Navajo Nation communities. Two discount programs are available. NTUA also offers payment plans and emergency assistance programs. Call 800-528-5011
- Life Support Discount: 10% monthly discount for customers who require utility service to be maintained for a life-threatening health condition, certified by a licensed physician.
- Senior Citizen Discount: 10% monthly discount for customers age 60 or older with an annual household income of $21,000 or less..
Salt River Project (SRP)
SRP is the largest electric utility in the greater Phoenix area. Call 602-236-8888 (Phoenix area) or 800-258-4777 (outside Phoenix), available 24/7. Spanish-language line: 602-236-1111. The main website at https://www.srpnet.com/customer-service/residential-electric/financial-assistance is available as well.
- SRP Income-Qualified Discount (formerly Economy Price Plan): Monthly bill credit of $35 for households at 0–150% of the federal poverty level, or $10 for households at 151–200% of the FPL. Apply online at srpnet.com or call SRP.
- SRP Bill Assistance Program (formerly SHARE): Emergency bill assistance funded by customer donations with dollar-for-dollar matching from SRP (minimum $5 million/year). Customers needing assistance call SRP Customer Resource Counselors at 602-236-3000, who will refer you to the appropriate Salvation Army office.
- Medical Life Support Discount: Monthly discount for customers using life-sustaining medical equipment at home. Call 602-236-8888.
- Power AZ: SRP customers can apply for the new statewide Power AZ program through DES. Resource Counselors at 602-236-3000 can help with the application.
- SRP Resource Counselors: A specialized team connecting customers in financial difficulty to housing, food, heat relief, and other community resources. Available Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m
- Payment plans: Flexible payment plan options may be available; call SRP 24/7 to discuss before your account is past due.
Southwest Gas
Southwest Gas provides natural gas service to much of Arizona. Apply online at https://www.swgas.com/en/arizona-bill-assistance or call 877-860-6020 for customer service.
- Energy Share: An emergency fund for customers facing unexpected financial hardship such as job loss or medical emergency. Donations from customers and the company are administered through local community partner agencies (including Wildfire and others). Call 877-860-6020 or call 211 to find the agency nearest you.
- Low Income Ratepayer Assistance (LIRA): Provides a discounted monthly basic service charge and a 30% reduction on the per-therm rate for income-qualified customers (at or below 150% of the federal poverty level). Apply online at swgas.com or call 877-860-6020.
- Low-Income Energy Conservation Program: Free home weatherization improvements — caulking, insulation, weather-stripping, ductwork and window repairs — for income-qualified customers. Available whether you own or rent. Call 877-860-6020.
- Installment Plan: For customers with an outstanding balance, this plan allows repayment over an extended period before service is discontinued. Call 877-860-6020 to set up.
- Equal Payment Plan: Budget billing that spreads annual gas costs into equal monthly payments. Available to all customers.
- Medical condition program: Customers or household members with qualifying medical conditions may be eligible for priority service restoration in the event of an outage. Ask when you call.
- Third-Party Notification: Designate a friend or relative to be notified in the event of a delinquent bill.
Trico Electric Cooperative
Trico serves members in parts of Pima, Pinal, and Santa Cruz counties. Trico provides Bill Pay Assistance through donations to Wildfire (formerly the Arizona Community Action Association) and their partner agencies. Apply through your county's partner agency: For questions about your bill or to discuss payment options, contact Trico Member Services at 520-744-2944.
- Pima County Community Action Agency: 520-724-2667
- Pinal County Community Action Human Resources Agency (CAHRA): 520-466-1112
- Santa Cruz County — Southeastern Arizona Community Action Program (SEACAP): 928-428-0859
Additional options: Trico offers budget billing, a Variable Budget plan, and the Fresh Start Program (six equal monthly payments to clear a balance while enrolling in budget billing). Contact Trico at 520-744-2944.
Tucson Electric Power (TEP)
TEP serves households in and around Tucson. Call 520-623-7711. Website: https://www.tep.com/customer-assistance-programs/.
- Lifeline Program: Monthly discount for customers at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. Apply online at tep.com or call 520-623-7711.
- HEERO Program (Help with Emergency Energy Relief Operation): Customer-donation program administered by the Salvation Army that provides one-time emergency bill assistance to low-income households. To apply, contact a local social service agency in TEP's network.
- LIFE Fund (Low-Income Fund for Emergencies): A $4.5 million shareholder-funded reserve established by TEP; interest earnings (~$250,000/year) supplement LIHEAP cuts for low-income customers. Administered by the Salvation Army. Call 520-623-7711.
- Short-Term Assistance: TEP works with community agencies to provide emergency bill payment assistance for customers facing financial hardship. Call 520-623-7711 for a referral.
- Power AZ: TEP customers can apply for the statewide Power AZ program through DES. Call 520-623-7711 for help.
- Payment extensions: Customers with a good payment history can request a payment extension online or through the mobile app. Call 520-623-7711 if denied through the automated system.
- Weatherization: Free energy efficiency upgrades for income-qualified customers through local agencies, including AC system replacement, weather-stripping, sunshades, and low-flow fixtures.
UniSource Energy Services (UES)
UniSource provides natural gas and electric service in northern and southern Arizona (Tucson area for gas; Mohave County and other areas for electric). Part of UNS Energy, a subsidiary of Fortis. Call 877-837-4968. The main website for details is https://www.uesaz.com/payment-assistance/.
- CARES Program (Customer Assistance Residential Energy Support): Monthly discount on electric bills ($16/month) or gas bills ($5/month plus a 40% discount on gas costs in the Purchase Gas Adjustment surcharge) for income-qualified customers. Electric eligibility extended to 200% of the federal poverty level; gas eligibility up to 150%. Apply at uesaz.com or call 877-837-4968.
- Power AZ: UniSource customers can apply for the new statewide Power AZ program through DES. Call 877-837-4968 for help.
- Short-Term Assistance: UniSource works with community agencies to provide emergency bill payment for low-income customers in financial distress. Participation is limited. Call 877-837-4968 for a referral to partner agencies.
- Warm Spirit Program: Customer-donation round-up program. Funds support neighbors struggling to pay their bills.
- Weatherization Assistance: Free energy efficiency retrofits for income-qualifying customers through partner agencies, including insulation, caulking, weather-stripping, sun screens, and low-flow water fixtures.
- Payment arrangements and extensions: Call 877-837-4968 to request a payment extension or extended payment arrangement before service is interrupted.
- Budget Billing: Divides estimated annual bill into 12 equal monthly payments.
Community Discussion - moderated forum for other options
Looking for feedback from people across Arizona, who may have more tips or resources available for utility costs. See the moderated forum thread about Arizona utility assistance programs, where real people post ideas, their needs, or other programs.
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