Energy and Utility Bill Help in Idaho.
Learn about the assistance programs available in Idaho that may help pay utility bills, as there are programs directly from the utility companies as well as other organizations. The major electric and gas utilities, which over cover a geographic area of the state, aim to offer help to qualified low-income customers. Get details on the programs below, including emergency grants from Lend a Hand or Project Share, weatherization, payment plans, and LIHEAP among others.
A list of various Idaho programs, by utility company, is below. The state also has a United Way associated 211 website and phone line known as the 211 Idaho CareLine. Struggling residents can dial for free referrals to local charities that may help pay utility bill or to get additional information on government programs as well as other option. There may also be referrals to related programs such as furnace or AC repair options. The 211 website is https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/services-programs/211. Or call 2-1-1 or 800-926-2588. Note: Application processing times vary widely by program and location. The stated timeline is often a maximum - follow up if you approach that deadline without hearing back.
Utility Company Assistance Programs
Avista Utilities serves electric and natural gas customers in northern Idaho (Coeur d'Alene, Lewiston, Moscow, and surrounding areas). Project Share is a donation-funded community program providing emergency energy grants regardless of fuel type or whether the applicant is an Avista customer - apply for financial help through your local community action agency.
- Qualifying customers can also receive free weatherization (insulation, air sealing, heating system improvements) through Avista and their local agency; call the agency for your county: Bonner County 208-255-2910, Shoshone County 208-783-4901, Lewiston 800-326-4843 ext. 231, Kootenai County 208-664-8757, Latah County 208-882-3535. Call Avista customer service at (800) 227-9187. Learn more about Avista utilities assistance programs.
Enbridge Gas Idaho (formerly Questar Gas, acquired by Enbridge June 2024) distributes natural gas in southeastern Idaho. Customers facing heating bill hardship may qualify for Project Share (temporary heating emergency assistance) and Project Warmth (funds distributed through community agencies) - contact your local community action agency or Intermountain Gas at 800-548-3679 to be directed to the right program. Read more about Enbridge Gas Idaho assistance programs.
Idaho Power serves the southern Idaho electric utility territory, including Boise, Twin Falls, and the Snake River Plain. Project Share provides year-round emergency bill assistance for customers unable to pay due to illness, disability, age, or unemployment - administered through the Salvation Army and local community action agencies.
- Idaho Power also funds weatherization of electrically heated homes through local CAP agencies; contact the agency for your county: Bingham, Power, Oneida, and Bannock counties 208-233-7348; Canyon, Gem, Payette, Boise, Washington, Valley, and Adams counties 208-459-0065; Ada, Elmore, and Owyhee counties 208-322-1242; Lemhi County 208-523-5466; Blaine, Camas, Gooding, Lincoln, Jerome, Minidoka, Twin Falls, and Cassia counties 208-733-9354 or 1-800-627-1733. Call Idaho Power at 208-388-2323 or 1-800-488-6151. More on types of help from Idaho Power.
Intermountain Gas Company serves natural gas customers across much of southern and eastern Idaho. Project Share helps customers facing temporary heating emergencies; Project Warmth distributes customer-contributed funds through community agencies; and Keep Kids Warm helps low-income families with children in the Treasure Valley area.
- LIHEAP, crisis heating assistance (year-round, maximum $1,500), and weatherization are also available through local community action agencies - call the agency for your area: Eastern Idaho (Idaho Falls area) 208-522-5391 or 800-632-4813; El-Ada (Boise area) 208-377-0700; South Central (Twin Falls/Jerome) 208-736-0676; Southeastern Idaho (Pocatello area) 208-232-1114; Western Idaho (Canyon County) 208-454-0675. Call Intermountain Gas at 800-548-3679 or visit https://www.intgas.com/.
Kootenai Electric Cooperative serves members in the Coeur d'Alene area of northern Idaho. Operation Round Up pools small voluntary member bill round-ups into a community trust that awards quarterly grants to organizations and individuals for needs including food, shelter, medical care, education, and energy assistance - both individual and organizational applications are accepted. Call KEC at (208) 765-1200 or toll-free (800) 240-0459.
Rocky Mountain Power serves electric customers in eastern and southeastern Idaho. The Lend a Hand program, administered by the Salvation Army (Idaho Falls area) and Southeastern Idaho Community Action Agency (Pocatello area), provides emergency bill assistance to customers in need - Rocky Mountain Power matches every dollar donated 2-for-1.
- Income-qualifying customers can also receive free weatherization including insulation, refrigerator replacement, and water-heating efficiency improvements. For bill assistance or to be directed to an agency, call 1-888-221-7070. Agency contacts: Eastern Idaho Community Action Partnership (Idaho Falls) 208-522-5391; SEICAA (Pocatello) 208-232-1114, or look for more information also listed on the site about how to prevent a utility disconnection.
Government Assistance Programs
LIHEAP / Idaho Heating Assistance provides a once-per-season heating benefit paid directly to the utility for income-eligible households. While the amount changes annually based on government funding levels / budgets, in some years over $1,000 may be offered (throughout the year) for qualified households. Applications are taken at local community action agencies from October 1 through March 31, with crisis funding available year-round. Call Idaho Department of Health and Welfare at 208-375-7382 or contact your local community action agency. More information is at Idaho LIHEAP programs.
Weatherization Assistance Program provides free energy efficiency improvements — insulation, furnace repair/replacement, weather-stripping, caulking, and more — to income-eligible renters and homeowners. Contact your local community action agency or call 2-1-1 to apply.
Idaho Winter Utility Protection prohibits regulated utilities from disconnecting residential service for non-payment from December 1 through February 28 for households with children, elderly members, or infirm persons who declare an inability to pay and agree to a payment arrangement. Contact your utility or the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (website: https://puc.idaho.gov/) which is also at 208-334-0300 or 1-800-432-0369. More on how to prevent a utility disconnection.
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