Official state offices
51
50 states and DC
Crisis clock
48 hours
18 if life-threatening
Hotline
1-866-674-6327
Energy Assistance Hotline
Rules checked
Oct. 10
October 10, 2026
Where to start for your situation
| Your situation | First step |
|---|---|
| A shutoff notice, or a date | Call the utility, then see emergency bill assistance. |
| Behind, but not yet a notice | Ask for a payment plan and apply for LIHEAP. |
| Bills are high every winter or summer | Apply for LIHEAP and weatherization. |
| Someone relies on medical equipment | See medical baseline and life support programs. |
| You are 60 or older | See help for seniors. |
| You are a veteran or service member | See veterans utility assistance. |
| Someone in the home has a disability | See disability utility assistance. |
| You want to know who to call near you | See utility assistance near me. |
| You want to know if your income qualifies | See low income electric programs. |
| Unsure whether a shutoff is allowed | See shutoff protection rules. |
The kinds of help that exist
- UrgentEmergency helpA shutoff notice in hand.Open
- PlansPayment plansSpread a balance over bills.Open
- RulesShutoff protectionNotice, weather and medical rules.Open
- ProgramWeatherizationFree upgrades that cut the bill.Open
- ProgramSeniorsPriority and local help.Open
- MedicalMedical protectionsMedical baseline and designations.Open
- ProgramsLow income programsThe income test and discounts.Open
- LocalHelp near meWho to call, in order.Open
- VeteransVeteransLIHEAP, SSVF and relief societies.Open
- DisabilityDisabilityMedical protections and local help.Open
LIHEAP is the largest source of help, and local charities, utility hardship funds and Community Action Agencies fill gaps. Our LIHEAP guide explains the federal rules, and each state page lists the official office.
Find your state
Choose your state for its official LIHEAP office, how to apply, and the electric bill that the average home pays there.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
What to have ready when you apply
- Your latest electric bill, with the account number, and any shutoff notice.
- Photo identification for the person on the account.
- Proof of income for everyone in the household, usually for the last 30 days. Each agency sets its own rule.
- Social Security numbers, or proof of status, where the program asks.
- A recent bill for your main heating fuel, if it is not electricity.
Requirements differ by agency, so ask what yours needs, and whether you can send documents by phone or online.
Apply only through official channels
Beware of fees and impostors
A two-week plan if you are behind
- Day 1. Call the utility. Ask for a payment arrangement and note the shutoff date, if there is one.
- Days 1 to 3. Call your state LIHEAP office or local Community Action Agency, and 2-1-1. Ask about crisis help if a shutoff is near.
- Days 3 to 7. Send the documents the agency asks for, and keep copies. Ask for the date a decision is expected.
- Days 7 to 14. Confirm the aid reached your account, and confirm your payment arrangement in writing.
- After that. Ask about weatherization and budget billing so the next bill is smaller and steadier.
About these pages
Kilowatt Atlas is an independent publisher. We are not a government agency, a utility or a charity, and we cannot take applications, pay bills or check eligibility. We read the official sources, show the date we checked them and link to them. Program rules and funding change, so confirm the details with the office before you rely on them. Read how we work in our editorial policy.
Bill help questions
What is the main program that helps pay electric bills?
The federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, LIHEAP. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services funds it, and each state runs its own program through a state office and local agencies.
Who qualifies for LIHEAP?
Under federal law a state can serve households with income up to the greater of 150 percent of the poverty level or 60 percent of state median income, and households receiving SSI, SNAP, TANF or certain veterans benefits can qualify without the income test. Your state sets the details.
What if I have a shutoff notice today?
Call your utility for a payment arrangement, apply for LIHEAP crisis help and call 2-1-1. Federal law gives LIHEAP grantees 48 hours to resolve an eligible household’s energy crisis, or 18 hours if it is life-threatening.
Does Kilowatt Atlas take applications or pay bills?
No. We are an independent publisher. We point to the official state offices and explain how programs work, and we cannot apply for you, pay a bill or check your eligibility.