Charities, utility companies and government organizations all provide some type of utility assistance in most communities, including programs that will be near you. There are a variety of hardship programs to pay a utility bill, grants, payment plans from electric or gas companies as well as other solutions available. The goal is to offer short term relief and long term options. Find how to get utility help near you, in your state or from your energy company.

A focus of the programs are to help low-income families, senior citizens and people who are truly disadvantaged - at risk with the loss of power. Most utility companies and local municipalities also try to help people keep their power on, therefore assistance for a hardship to stop a shut off will be offered near you for paying utility bills, including electric, gas or lights. The main types of financial assistance programs that help people pay utility bills in local communities are below.

Links to national utility assistance programs with a local presence
List of state and utility company assistance programs

Also, if you need help in locating other local utility bill assistance programs for your area, please e-mail us. Be sure to include your "general" location (state/county/city). As there may be other options as well in some areas, including near you, for paying utilities. The email [email protected].

Links to national utility assistance programs with a local presence

There are also many national or regional programs that offer utility help in local communities. These include local crisis LIHEAP grants, charities with a local presence or dedicated financial resources that may be near you for the elderly, disabled, sick or single moms. As a variety of programs are coordinated at the national level to help pay electric or light bills before a disconnection notice has been received.

Crisis LIHEAP applications, or the equivalent in each state, will be available near you. This is the primary federal government emergency low income energy bill assistance program that pays out grant money. Community action agencies or local government human (or social service offices DSS) usually take applications. More on Crisis LIHEAP to pay a utility bill near you.
National churches that may be near you also offer utility assistance or other support, such as free firewood. Money is limited, and some of the organizations may include St. Vincent de Paul, Catholic Charities, United Methodist, the Salvation Army or even local parishes. Learn more on how to get free firewood near you.
Most national utility companies offer forgiveness plans or other assistance. There may be free energy conservation resources, payment plans to stop a shut off or give the customer more time, discount services as well as other programs near you available. Find how to get utility bills forgiven from your local company.
Free air conditioners are given out by local some utility companies or national charities. A focus is on helping senior citizens, disabled people or those with a medical condition stay cool during the summer as an AC unit will keep them safe and healthy. Find details on free air conditioner near you.
Local utility bill assistance programs are available from the LIHEAP Clearinghouse too. While the LIHEAP energy assistance program name may vary by state, there is still a free directory that help people find programs
near them, in their state, county or utility provider. Get details here. https://liheapch.acf.hhs.gov/stateplans.htm.
Community Action Agencies in all areas, including near you, provide grant money to pay utilities. Low income families have a number of emergency and long term assistance programs for paying their utility bills. Whether a payment plan or abatement from a utility company, grant from the LIHEAP program, or money from community action that may be near you, various organizations try to help struggling customers keep their lights and electricity on. More on utility help from community action near you.
Local utility assistance programs are also available from the United Way 211 service near you. The non-profit will help people find programs to help pay utility bills in your area along with other options - such as conservation plans. More details are here. https://www.211.org/get-help/utilities-expenses.

List of state and utility company assistance programs

There are financial assistance programs from most utility companies, local government grants, and other resources that may be near you, listed below. Select the state or utility company as well as type of electric or utility bill help needed. Note that emergency services in your area that help with energy bills may also be offered from a charity that offers financial assistance.

Alabama