Help turning on utility service with little or no money.
Many low-income households fall behind on utility bills, and subsequently have it disconnected, then face a second barrier when trying to restart service. The cost of paying a deposit, connection charge, or an old balance on a utility account may stop electricity or gas from being turned back on. The options listed below focus on real programs that can cover deposits, restore service, or reduce the cost of paying a reconnection fee enough to keep service active.
Having the power shut off can sometimes be very risky. As some households may have serious needs tied to having heat in their home/apartment, refrigeration for medicines, or electricity to ensure their medical equipment in operating. There may be help from government and charity programs, including options from utility companies themselves, that help people start or reconnect electricity, gas, or heat service, even without savings. Unfortunately since the need for utilities is a basic human need, some there may be scams targeted at people in that situation - read our guide to avoiding scams-fraud.
Note this form of help may be more challenging to get. As in most cases a household will need some source of income (job, benefits, etc.), but assistance may exist for people with very limited funds. The process and availability of funds vary by state and utility provider.
Government programs for turning electric on
Government energy assistance programs are the primary starting point for help with getting service turned on, though the exact types of help will vary based on state and other factors. In some states it may pay for application fees, utility deposits, and there may be money to fix a meter. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, commonly called LIHEAP (but naming can vary based on state), can pay part of a heating or cooling bill and can also provide emergency crisis help during an energy shutoff or an energy emergency.
- Administration is local along with applications as well as contact information. The rules vary by state and tribal area. We at needhelppayingbills also have a list of LIHEAP by states for additional contact information. The federal government USA.gov website at https://www.usa.gov/help-with-energy-bills is also a place to learn more about it.
Utility deposits and help to pay for “turn-on fees” may also be covered under federally funded homelessness prevention programs in many communities. While the names of these programs will vary, a primary federal funded one is the Emergency Solutions Grants program (website: https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/esg/). Other local communities may also offer their own homeless prevention and rehousing programs, and if so there may be funds to pay to help people pay a deposit to start utilities on their place.
- ESG is federal HUD program that funds local agencies that then provide homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing in a local community. Under the federal rule, ESG funds may pay a standard utility deposit required by a utility company for eligible utilities, even if the applicant has no current income coming in. That matters for households that have housing lined up but cannot start service due to a deposit requirement.
Public assistance programs, mostly from TANF benefits, may sometimes be used to pay a reconnection or application fee when utilities are part of keeping housing stable. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families cash assistance is a combination of federal/state benefit but it administered by state agencies - often a local human or social service office.
- Some states use funds to address housing stability needs, including utilities with deposits an option too. The exact rules depend on the state’s program design and the household’s eligibility category, including children in the home. There is no single national application because TANF is state administered with a list here.
Other options to turn on utilities, including from non-profits, utility companies themselves and more
Another common challenge is when people have past balance on their utilities from a previous address. Some utility companies may refuse to turn on electricity or heat at the new home unless the balance on their account is paid in full. When this occurs, there are still options available.
- Payment Plans that spread old balances over time, which may be effective for people with no money, as they can use their future income to cover this cost. Most utilities will set up a plan so service can be restored while paying off the debt.
- Prepaid Utility Accounts allow consumers to pay for service in small amounts that go toward current usage and help avoid needing to pay large deposits.
- Utility Company Hardship Funds provide direct credits or assistance to low-income customers who meet specific criteria.
- Some states also regulate when a utility must offer deferred payment agreements and how deposits are calculated, but those rules vary widely by state.
Local charities and community agencies may help with paying the costs to turn-on utilities. This may include money to help with deposits, application fees or preventing disconnection, but funding is limited and rules are local. The Salvation Army may provide emergency utility assistance in many communities, with details varying by location. A second large network is the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, which may one-time financial help through local conferences tied to parish boundaries and volunteer capacity.
 Free legal aid organizations may assist income qualified families whose utilities were shut off illegally or who face disconnection despite documentation of financial hardship. As there are various state rules and regulations around utility shut-offs and turning power back on, which a pro-bono or legal aid lawyer may help people navigate. Legal aid may also help people with medical needs, such as home medical devices requiring power. Utility shut-off prevention laws exist in many states to protect vulnerable customers.
Medical needs may affect how utilities handle shutoffs and also the reconnection process. Some states require additional protections when electricity or gas is needed for medical equipment, refrigeration of medication, or health conditions that worsen without power or heat. This may even translate to turning the power back on for people with little or no money or income. Documentation is usually required, utility disconnection rules vary by state and protections do not always erase the balance owed.
- Many states mandate a minimum 21-day "Stay of Disconnection" (or an immediate 21-day reconnection) if a physician certifies that power is needed for life-sustaining equipment (like a CPAP) or temperature-sensitive medication (like insulin). Note that a medical certificate does not erase the debt but rather buys time (usually 21 to 63 days) to secure charitable or government funds.
- The National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA) has a directory of state-level advocates who can help people file a complaint if a utility company refuses to honor a medical certificate with the list here URL: https://www.nasuca.org/members/.
Do you have questions, comments, need other ideas or want to read about other people's experiences when it comes to getting their utilities turned back on? Visit our discussion forum about getting the electricity / power connected. You can read there real people’s experiences from across the country and maybe find other resources too.
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