Utility and Electric Bill Help in Louisiana
Louisiana's extreme summer heat and occasional winter freezes can drive energy bills to crisis levels. Utility companies, electric cooperatives, and government programs may provide emergency and long term offer. Options include grants, payment plans, and other assistance to residents who cannot pay their utilities and who may be facing a disconnection. The programs, listed below, are company specific with other statewide options available in Louisiana.
In addition to the programs listed below, with most offered directly by utility companies to people that are qualified and may be struggling, the Louisiana United Way 211 can be an effective option. The free service, and online website at https://www.louisiana211.org/accessing-211-help may help low-income households find other local places for utility help, whether charities, a church or some other organization.
Utility Company Assistance Programs
Atmos Energy serves natural gas customers in north and central Louisiana. The Sharing the Warmth program combines customer and company donations that may help qualifying households pay their gas bills. The funds are distributed through local assistance agencies that ensure the financial help goes to those in need - as resources are limited. Installment plans are also available with no fees to spread out a past-due balance. Call 1-888-286-6700 or dial 2-1-1 to find your local agency.
Beauregard Electric Cooperative (BECi) serves Beauregard, Allen, Calcasieu, Jefferson Davis, Evangeline, Rapides, and Vernon parishes. The Share Program rounds up member bills to the nearest dollar; those funds go to parish community action agencies to assist income qualified, struggling families. Contact your local community action agency, or call BECi at (337) 463-6221 or (800) 367-0275.
CLECO serves central and northwest Louisiana. The Power of Sharing Fund helps qualified senior citizens and low-income customers pay bills, buy fans, weatherize homes, and the funds may even help people make minor heating/cooling repairs. The assistance is distributed through the Louisiana Association of Councils on Aging in 16 parishes. CLECO also offers a low-income rate discount (CARE program), emergency bill deferrals during declared energy emergencies, and payment plans. Contact your local Council on Aging, or call CLECO at 1-800-622-6537. Read more about CLECO assistance programs.
Delta Utilities is now Louisiana's primary natural gas utility, having acquired CenterPoint Energy's Louisiana gas operations (April 2025) and Entergy's New Orleans and Baton Rouge gas operations (July 2025). The company services approximately 600,000 customers statewide. The DU Cares program offers up to $250 in one-time bill assistance per year for qualifying customers, administered by the United Way of Southeast Louisiana; apply at unitedwaysela.org/delta-utilities-cares or call for help. Call 1-833-335-8299 (1-833-DELTA-99), Mon–Fri, 7 a.m.–7 p.m.
Dixie Electric Membership Corporation (DEMCO) serves Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Livingston, St. Helena, Tangipahoa, and West Feliciana parishes. The Operation Round-Up program rounds member bills to the nearest dollar; funds go to the DEMCO Foundation, which awards grants for clothing, HVAC repairs, shelter, and other basic needs (not limited to electric bills). Apply at https://demco.org/ or call 225-665-0317.
Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans serve electric customers across 58 parishes. (Note: Entergy's natural gas service in Baton Rouge and New Orleans transferred to Delta Utilities in 2025 - see above.) Programs for electric customers include the following. Note sometimes the options may be combined.
- Beat the Heat — Free fans and energy efficiency kits for low-income customers each summer through local partner agencies.
- The Power to Care — Emergency electric bill help for elderly customers and customers with disabilities; funded by employee and shareholder donations.
- Entergy New Orleans Elderly and Handicapped Emergency Assistance Fund — Direct bill assistance for New Orleans customers, administered by Total Community Action (504-324-8609) and New Orleans Council on Aging (504-821-4121).
- Senior Discount — $6/month discount on the customer charge for customers 65+ with income under $10,000/year.
- Home weatherization — Free improvements (caulking, weather stripping, solar screens, refrigerator replacement) for qualifying low-income customers.
- Payment options — Deferred payment arrangements, levelized billing, pick-a-date billing; reconnection fees eliminated for Entergy Louisiana customers.
Call 1-800-368-3749 for all programs. Read more about Louisiana Entergy assistance programs.
Lafayette Utilities System (LUS) serves Lafayette Parish. Share the Light is a customer-funded emergency program for residents who have exhausted all other assistance options. Applications are accepted Thursdays only at the Msgr. A.O. Sigur Catholic Social Services Center. For state LIHEAP referrals, contact SMILE Community Action Agency at (337) 232-6810. Call (337) 233-7788 for Share the Light.
Southwest Louisiana Electric Membership Corporation (SLEMCO) serves the Acadiana area with two separate programs. Lights On provides up to $100 in emergency electric bill assistance once per year for qualifying customers facing a short-term crisis - call (337) 233-7788 to apply. Operation Round-Up funds grants for medical needs, disability equipment, and community hardship; it does not pay utility bills — call 337-896-5384 for Round-Up grant inquiries.
Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO / AEP) serves northwest and central Louisiana including Shreveport and Bossier City. The Neighbor to Neighbor program matches customer donations to provide emergency bill help to customers with a disconnection notice, administered through the United Way of Shreveport. Payment plans, budget billing, and late fee waivers are also available. Call 1-888-216-3523. Find more assistance programs provided by SWEPCO or its partners.
Government Assistance Programs
Louisiana LIHEAP is administered by the Louisiana Housing Corporation and distributed through local community action agencies. It provides direct bill payment grants ($200–$800 for heating/cooling; up to $1,000 for crisis), available to households at or below 60% of state median income. Heating season: December 15–March 31. Cooling season: April 13–September 30. Crisis assistance: year-round. Apply through your local Louisiana community action agency or call 1-888-454-2001. More on Louisiana LIHEAP and weatherization.
Louisiana DHS offers cash assistance and public aid programs that can help very low-income families, the disabled, and those in poverty cover some utility costs. Read more about public assistance for bills in Louisiana.
The Louisiana Public Service Commission helps regulate some or all of the energy companies in the state. There is also a section on the website at https://lpsc.louisiana.gov/Consumers in which residents can file complaints, learn about consumer protections and access other support.
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