Energy and utility bill assistance programs in South Carolina.
Get information on, and find how to apply, for utility, light, and energy bill assistance programs in South Carolina. Qualified low to moderate income individuals, elderly, and other people who are facing a hardship may be able to qualify for emergency financial assistance, payment plans or cash grants to help them pay their utility bills or a deposit to turn their power back on.
Some of the programs are offered by government agencies, including low income energy bill assistance and free weatherization. Many other assistance programs, including payment plans or discounts, are offered by utility companies that operate in South Carolina.
Get help directly from utility companies in South Carolina
Aiken Electric Cooperative – The Operation Round Up program may be able to provide free food, rent help, shelter, clothing, healthcare, prescriptions and other services to those who need it the most. For more information about how Aiken can help, call your local Aiken Electric Cooperative Office. Aiken 649-6245, New Ellenton: 652-2226, North: 247-2121, Edgefield: 637-3189 or 593-4457. Or you can dial the following toll free number 1-800-922-1262.
Duke Energy - Share the Warmth is another option for South Carolina customers. This particular program is a heating bill assistance program that is being funded by Duke Power customers and Duke Energy shareholders. The emergency cash grants and funds may be used for the payment of heating costs, regardless of energy source, for low income Duke Energy customers. Call your local community action agency for information on this service too.
Duke Power is one of the major utility companies in South Carolina. They offer customers a few different programs, including the following. Cooling Assistance is a program that can help people pay their summer cooling bills. Contact partner agencies, such as the Salvation Army or community action agency in your area, to learn more or to apply for help. Another program for the summer is Fan-Heat Relief Program, which provides free fans to senior citizens. Call 1-800-943-6914 or click here for more information on low income energy bill help from Duke Energy.
Fairfield Electric Cooperative – The name of the program offered by this utility is Operation RoundUp. The way this program works is that FEC cooperative members join together to help neighbors and others in their community who are struggling or facing crises. Funds can help address needs of the local community such as free food, clothing, shelter, health care, prescriptions medications and other community services. Call 1-800-628-0336 or 635-4621
Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative - Operation RoundUp will help local community people who are facing an emergency. Emergency funds address needs of the low income such as health care, utilities, food, clothing, shelter and other community services. 749-6555 or 1-888-813-8000
Orangeburg Department of Public Utilities – The program they run is known as the Project Good Neighbor. This is a charity type service/program that is funded by employee donations for emergency assistance. Call 803-268-4050
Palmetto Electric Cooperative - This utility company administers Operation Roundup, which is an aid project which donates money to the different charities in the area, provides funds for needy individuals, and service organizations. Call the following numbers in your community. Ridgeland: 1-843-726-5551. Hilton Head: 1-843-681-5551. Hampton: 1-803-943-2211. New River: 1-843-208-5551, or call the toll free 1-800-922-5551 to apply.
Pee Dee Electric Cooperative, which can be reached at 843-665-4070, provides emergency grants and funding for individuals and families in need and non-profit organizations and projects throughout the Pee Dee service region.
Piedmont Natural Gas – Customers can apply to the Share the Warmth. Funds from this assistance program are used to help with paying any type of heating bill or expense, such as gas, propane, heating oil, electricity, coal, kerosene or wood. The assistance program is administered by local social service agencies and charities in the service area. So you will need to call them. Click here for more details on this and other Piedmont financial assistance and conservation measures. Find Piedmont Natural Gas assistance programs.
Duke - Progress Energy – Low income South Carolina customers may be able to get help from Energy Neighbor Fund. The emergency or crisis fund may be able to provide help for electric and cooling bills. Call 1-800-452-2777
This is just one of the services provided. Locate more Duke - Progress Energy assistance programs.
Santee Cooper Power - They offer customers the Smart Energy Loans program. This will allow households to borrow money to pay for energy conservation updates to their home, such as more efficient air conditioning units, furnaces and more. Any type of financial aid is available as a result of referrals to South Carolina LIHEAP and other public aid programs. Read more on assistance from Santee Cooper Power.
South Carolina Electric & Gas Company. – The utility administers the Project Share assistance program. The program will be able to provide financial, cash grants, and numerous forms of other assistance to low-income customers for paying their winter heating bills. Financial aid is available for people in extreme health-related cases, and funds can be used to pay summer cooling bills. The Governor's Office Division of Economic Opportunity administers the funds, and the money is passed out from local charities and community action agencies and the Salvation Army throughout South Carolina. Call 1-800-251-7234 to apply for help or learn more.
In addition to Project Share, SCE&G offers qualified customers other options as well, such as payment plans and energy conservation services. Some of them may even be free to qualified individuals. Read more on assistance from South Carolina Electric & Gas Company.
York Electric Cooperative – Yes, this South Carolina utility also runs the Operation RoundUp assistance program. Funds can help people in need of assistance. Funds provided by operation roundup address such customer’s needs as food, clothing, rent help, shelter, health care, prescription medication and other community services. Call 803-684-4247 or 803-548-4244.
Government assistance in South Carolina for utility, light, AC, and electric bills
Low income energy conservation and financial assistance - Families that meet certain low income government guidelines can apply for assistance from government programs such as weatherization and/or LIHEAP. Thousands of South Carolina residents receive cash grants and financial aid from these resources every year. Read more South Carolina government low income energy bill help.
Free air conditioning units or “cooling” fans may be offered by the government as well. A focus is on senior citizens, retirees, the poor, the sick, and disabled in South Carolina. Too many low income and vulnerable residents in the state struggle with summer heat and humidy, and AC units (or repairs to them) may be an option. Find free air conditioning units near you.
Water bills and shut off protection
South Carolina water utility companies are required by state law to offer their customers payment plans and discount rates. There are also rules and regulations on how to get your water service connected. The state regulates these companies to help ensure families and individuals are treated fairly. Read more on South Carolina water bill assistance programs.
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