Utilities

Electric Service Payment Assistance

Programs that pay all or a portion of the electric service expenses of people whose electricity has been or is at risk of being shut off including any reconnection fees that may apply. Also included are non-emergency programs like those funded through the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), also referred to as LIEAP or HEAP in some states, that provide home energy assistance, generally in the form of a credit, for low-income households that apply. The assistance is usually available once per calendar year (or heating season). Electric service payment assistance programs may have age, income, disability, need or other eligibility requirements.

Electric Service Providers

Public or private entities that are responsible for the generation, transmission, sale and/or distribution of electricity to retail or end-use customers. In areas where power deregulation has occurred and unbundled electric service is available, customers can choose to purchase electricity from a variety of alternative sources at rates determined by market forces (while maintaining their current delivery arrangements), or may elect to stay with their current electric company under, in most cases, regulated rates.

Electric Service Shutoff Suspension Programs

Electric utility companies that halt the practice of shutting off electric service to customers as a penalty for overdue bills and temporarily restore electricity to households whose service has been suspended, usually at the request of government officials and leaders when members of the public are being asked to remain in their homes due to public health concerns.

Weatherization Programs

Programs that provide assistance in the form of labor and supplies to help people improve the energy efficiency of their homes and protect them from the elements. The program provides ceiling insulation, attic venting, double glazed windows, weather-stripping, minor housing envelope repairs, low-flow showerheads, evaporative cooler vent covers, water heater blankets, pipe wrap, duct wrap, switch and outlet gaskets, caulking, and other related energy conservation measures. Weatherization programs may have age, income, disability or other eligibility requirements.

Gas Service Payment Assistance

Programs that pay all or a portion of the gas service expenses of people whose gas has been or is at risk of being shut off including any reconnection fees that may apply. Also included are non-emergency programs like those funded through the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), also referred to as LIEAP or HEAP in some states, that provide home energy assistance, generally in the form of a credit, for low-income households that apply. The assistance is usually available once per calendar year (or heating season). Gas service payment assistance programs may have age, income, disability, need or other eligibility requirements.

Natural Gas Service Shutoff Suspension Programs

Natural gas utility companies that halt the practice of shutting off gas service to customers as a penalty for overdue bills and temporarily restore gas services to households whose service has been suspended, usually at the request of government officials and leaders when members of the public are being asked to remain in their homes due to public health concerns.

Heating Fuel Payment Assistance

Programs that pay all or a portion of the home heating fuel expenses of people who are unable to purchase the resources to heat their homes without assistance. Also included are non-emergency programs like those funded through the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), also referred to as LIEAP or HEAP in some states, that provide home energy assistance for low-income households that apply, usually once per calendar year; and programs that pay for firewood, propane, butane, kerosene, coal or other bulk fuels that are used for heating or cooking purposes in situations where people have no other means of acquiring them. Heating fuel payment assistance programs may have age, income, disability, need or other eligibility requirements.

Discounted Internet Service

Internet service providers that offer their services at below normal rates for people who meet age, disability, income, need or other requirements.

Internet Service Payment Assistance

Programs that pay all or a portion of the Internet activation and/or connection expenses of people whose Internet service has been or is at risk of being discontinued. Charges for Internet services may be bundled with those for cable or telephone service depending on the provider an individual selects. Internet service payment assistance programs may have age, income, disability, need or other eligibility requirements.

Telephone Service Payment Assistance

Programs that pay all or a portion of the telephone expenses of people whose telephone service has been or is at risk of being disconnected including any reconnection fees that may apply. Also included are programs that help qualified low-income consumers connect or hook up to the telephone network by paying a portion of the hook-up fee or encourage telephone companies to offer a deferred payment schedule for hook-up charges. Telephone service payment assistance programs may have age, income, disability, need or other eligibility requirements.

Telephone Service Payment Assistance * Covid-19

Programs that pay all or a portion of the telephone expenses of people whose telephone service has been or is at risk of being disconnected including any reconnection fees that may apply. Also included are programs that help qualified low-income consumers connect or hook up to the telephone network by paying a portion of the hook-up fee or encourage telephone companies to offer a deferred payment schedule for hook-up charges. Telephone service payment assistance programs may have age, income, disability, need or other eligibility requirements. These services focus especially on COVID-19.

Water Service Payment Assistance

Programs that pay all or a portion of the water service expenses of people whose water has been or is as risk of being shut off including any reconnection fees that may apply. Included are programs that provide assistance with combined water/sewer bills in communities where sewer payments are bundled with payments for water services. Water service payment assistance programs may have age, income, disability, need or other eligibility requirements.

Water Service Shutoff Suspension Programs

Water utility companies that halt the practice of shutting off water service to customers as a penalty for overdue bills and temporarily restore running water to households whose service has been suspended, usually at the request of government officials and leaders due to public health concerns. The action ensures provision of hot water when sanitation is critical to alleviating a health crisis such as the coronavirus outbreak and when universal access is clearly in the best interests of the public.

Utility Bill Payment Plan Negotiation Assistance

Programs that help people negotiate manageable utility bill payment plans in situations where there are some resources available for this purpose.

Utility Bill Payment Plans

Utility companies that offer a variety of utility bill payment plan options that facilitate the ability of customers to bring delinquent accounts up to date and/or make their regular payments on time.

Weatherization Programs

Programs that provide assistance in the form of labor and supplies to help people improve the energy efficiency of their homes and protect them from the elements. The program provides ceiling insulation, attic venting, double glazed windows, weather-stripping, minor housing envelope repairs, low-flow showerheads, evaporative cooler vent covers, water heater blankets, pipe wrap, duct wrap, switch and outlet gaskets, caulking, and other related energy conservation measures. Weatherization programs may have age, income, disability or other eligibility requirements.