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What To Do if You Can’t Pay Your Utility Bills
Get help with your utility bills from energy assistance programs.Written by Dominique Sabins
Edited by Jamie Cesanek
Last updated March 19, 2025
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Key Points
- Residential energy costs continue to rise and strain low-income families struggling to pay their utility bills.
- If paying your electricity bills has proven difficult, you can contact your energy provider for different payment options, take advantage of bill assistance programs, or find ways to lower your energy usage.
Need help paying your electricity bill?
If you feel like you are struggling to pay your monthly electricity bill, you’re not alone. From 2020 to 2023, residential electricity costs rose over 21% across the United States. As energy prices continue to climb, so does the strain of paying higher electricity bills. To help address this burden, we’ve compiled some utility assistance resources available to residents in Texas and other deregulated states.
Contact your energy provider
If you are worried about paying your electricity bill, the first step is to contact your energy provider. Many providers in deregulated states offer payment assistance programs. For example, TXU Energy, a popular Texas supplier, provides these payment options:
- Payment extension: You receive a longer window of time to pay your current bill.
- Deferred payment plan: You receive assistance to pay off your balance in monthly payments over a longer period.
- Waived or split deposit: If you qualify, you can split your deposit into two payments or avoid the deposit altogether.
- Waived late fees: Residents enrolled in the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) or Medicaid qualify for waived late fees.
You must contact your energy provider as soon as possible to discuss payment options before your bill is due. Otherwise, you risk rejection for aid if your service has already been disconnected. According to the Public Utilities Commission of Texas (PUCT), you won’t qualify for a deferred payment plan if you have received more than two termination notices over the last year.
Bill pay assistance programs by state
Once you’ve contacted your provider for assistance, you can explore additional resources from nonprofits or other programs in your area. Here are some bill pay assistance programs in deregulated states:
| State | Resource | Description |
|---|---|---|
| California | Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) | Californians unable to pay high energy costs can receive energy assistance from this federally funded program. |
| Connecticut | Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) | Qualifying households can apply for bill assistance, energy crisis assistance, and weatherization or energy-related home repairs. |
| Georgia | Georgia Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) | This program helps qualifying households pay their home energy bills. |
| Illinois | Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) | This federal program helps low-income households in Illinois pay for energy services. LIHEAP focuses on coverage for heating in the winter. |
| Maine | Arrearage Management Program | If you have past due electricity bills, this program can help reduce your balance. |
| Maryland | Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP) | OHEP provides utility bill assistance to low-income residents and ensures your service is not shut off. |
| Massachusetts | Energy Assistance Programs | Massachusetts residents can qualify for various energy assistance options, including a discount on electric bills. |
| New Jersey | Board of Public Utilities | The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities offers numerous grants and assistance programs to help residents pay their utility bills. |
| New Hampshire | Electric Assistance Program (EAP) | EAP offers income-eligible households a discount on their electricity bills. |
| New York | Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) | HEAP helps low-income households (including renters) pay their electric and heating bills. |
| Ohio | Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) | This program helps low-income Ohio households cover heating costs during the winter. |
| Pennsylvania | Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) | This program provides cash grants for low-income households to help cover their energy bills. |
| Texas | 211 Texas | Search for electricity bill assistance in this database for a list of Texas assistance programs. |
Additional utility resources for Texas residents
As one of the largest deregulated states in the country, Texas has numerous resources to help income-eligible residents struggling to pay their electric bills. If you are searching for assistance in Texas, consider these options from the PUCT:
- Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP): The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs offers this program to help low-income individuals meet their immediate energy needs. The program also provides educational resources to ensure Texans can pay their future bills.
- Lifeline Program: The PUCT can help you pay your telephone bill if you qualify for aid.
- Weatherization Assistance Program: This program conducts an energy audit and installs weatherization measures to improve energy efficiency for qualified low-income households.
Tips for cheaper electricity bills
Beyond payment assistance programs, energy customers can use several strategies to lower their electricity bills. The most proactive place to start is by decreasing your energy consumption. Here are a few easy ways to save energy around the house:
- Turn off lights and unplug unused electronics
- Reduce how much you use your HVAC system
- Lower your water heater
- Wash your clothes on cold
- Switch to LED light bulbs
Switching to a cheaper plan is another method to potentially decrease your energy bill. On SaveOnEnergy’s free marketplace, you can browse low rates and top providers near you. Enter your ZIP code to explore affordable options and sign up for a plan directly. You can also call our energy team for advice and expertise at the number on your screen.