Get help paying your Cleco electric bill in Louisiana - Power of Sharing Fund, discounts, CARE and more
Cleco is the electric company for much of Louisiana, and when a bill comes in higher than you can pay, the company has more than one way to help. Some of that help lowers your bill every month. Some is a one-time hand when you hit a rough patch. And some simply gives you more time to pay.
This guide explains each option in plain terms — what it does for you, who it's meant for, and how to ask for it. The most important first step is to call Cleco before your service is ever at risk, at 1-800-622-6537. The sooner you reach out, the more of these choices stay open to you.,
A year-round discount on your bill: the CARE program
Cleco's CARE program — short for Cleco Alternative Rate for Electricity — takes 25 percent off the fuel portion of your electric bill, every month of the year. For a household counting every dollar, that builds up over time.
To get it, your income needs to fall within the limits used for LIHEAP, the federal energy assistance program, and you sign up through your local community action agency. Here's the part many people miss: if you already receive LIHEAP, you're enrolled in CARE automatically, and the discount simply starts showing up on your bill. You re-qualify once a year to keep it.
One-time help for seniors and people with disabilities: Power of Sharing
Cleco has run its Power of Sharing Fund since the 1980s, paid for by donations from the company, its employees, and other customers. It exists to help older residents and people with disabilities living on a low or fixed income keep their power on.
A grant from the fund goes toward your energy bill, and it can also cover related needs like a fan or a blanket, or a minor repair to a heating or cooling unit. It is meant as one-time help in a tight moment, so it works best alongside the longer-term programs. The fund is handed out through your local Council on Aging, which can also point you toward other senior help in your area - see the NHPB guide to senior assistance programs in Louisiana.
Protection if your health depends on electricity: Critical Care
If someone in your home relies on electrically powered medical equipment, Louisiana rules do not allow Cleco to shut off your power the way they otherwise could. Cleco's Critical Care program is how you put that protection in place.
You fill out a Critical Care registration form and have a doctor sign it to confirm the medical need. Once you are certified, you are given extra time after any shut-off notice to make arrangements, instead of losing service right away. You renew it every couple of years to stay covered. Call Cleco to start the paperwork, which they can mail to you if that is easier.
More time to pay, and steadier bills: payment options
If you know a bill is coming that you will not be able to cover, ask Cleco about a credit extension, which gives you added time to pay an outstanding balance when you are not in an emergency. Cleco reviews these case by case.
There is also a deferred billing option that opens up when the Louisiana Public Service Commission declares an energy emergency. When that happens, eligible customers can push part of a bill out and pay it over time.
And if it is the up-and-down swing of your bill that is hardest to manage, levelized billing smooths it out. Cleco averages about a year of your usage and bills you a steady amount each month, with a once-a-year adjustment to settle any difference. This option is for customers whose accounts are current.
State and federal energy assistance
Beyond its own programs, Cleco points customers toward the same statewide help that all Louisiana utilities use. The main one is LIHEAP, which puts government grant money straight onto your account toward heating and cooling, and can step in during a crisis. Because qualifying for LIHEAP also gets you the CARE discount automatically, it is worth applying even if your bill feels manageable today.
You apply for LIHEAP through a community action agency, not through Cleco. For the full picture of what it covers, who qualifies, and how to apply, see our guide to Louisiana LIHEAP and weatherization.
Watch out for fake "Cleco" offers
Cleco offers real rebates on energy-efficient appliances and equipment, and scammers have learned to use that against people. A common trick is an unexpected call, text, or knock at the door from someone claiming to be with Cleco, offering a rebate, a free energy audit, or a special discount — then asking to come inside, or pressing you for your account number, Social Security number, or an immediate payment to "lock in" the deal.
Slow down before you share anything. Cleco will not demand instant payment by gift card or a money app to keep your lights on, and a real rebate never requires you to hand banking details to a stranger on your doorstep. If something feels rushed or off, end the conversation and call Cleco yourself at the number printed on your bill to check whether the offer is real.
Where to start
For any of Cleco's own programs — the CARE discount, Power of Sharing, Critical Care, a credit extension, or deferred or levelized billing — call Cleco's customer service line at 1-800-622-6537 or visit a Cleco customer service office or the website at https://www.cleco.com/contact-us.
Related Content From Needhelppayingbills.com
|
Need help navigating programs?