Page Last Updated: July 17, 2023

Information for Landlords and Property Managers

Texas Utility Help is a statewide program administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs with funding from LIHEAP and LIHWAP. This new program offers a streamlined online application process, so eligible Texas households can apply for both energy and water bill assistance in a single form.

Through this program, Texas renters and homeowners can apply for direct payments to landlords on their behalf.

This will not only help make customers and landlords whole on past-due bills, it can also help avoid service disconnects, saving you time, money, and improving customer relations.

Get Paid Fast – Enrolling is Easy

Landlords MUST be enrolled in the program to receive payment. Enrolling now ensures the program can send you payments (via mailed check) smoothly and efficiently.

TDHCA partnered with Yardi Systems, Inc. to make it easy for customers and landlords to participate in the program. To sign up, landlords should call 1-855-566-2057.

Indirect Utility Payments

We will begin paying utilities to landlords on behalf of applicants who make Indirect Utility Payments. This means that, rather than paying a utility company directly, they pay another party (usually a landlord or property manager) who, in turn, pays the utility company. The payments will go to the landlord or property manager on the applicant’s behalf.

We will no longer provide the landlord verification form on the website as it only applies to a small percentage of applicants.

Acceptable Billing Documentation

Applicants must provide one of the following acceptable documents:

  1. A rent statement with itemized utility charges.
  2. A utility statement produced by the landlord/property manager or by a re-biller (such as Conservice, Minol or HOCUTT) with itemized utility charges.
  3. A lease document that details the monthly amounts charged for utilities.
  4. Some other document that indicates that the applicant is responsible for paying the landlord/property manager for utilities, but does not specify the amount.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Texas Utility Help?

Texas Utility Help is a new statewide program administered by TDHCA with funding from LIHEAP and LIHWAP. The new program offers a streamlined online application process, so any eligible Texas household can apply for both energy and water bill assistance in a single form.

Are landlords required to participate in the program in order to receive payment on behalf of eligible households?
  • ● Landlords are required to sign landlord participation agreements in order to receive payments.
  • ● Landlords are encouraged to sign landlord participation agreements or they may receive payment subject to the payment terms.
How do landlords sign up?

To sign up, landlords should call 1-855-566-2057.

How do households apply for assistance?

The online application for households is available here.

What are the basic requirements for a Texas household to qualify for assistance?

Household income must be at or below 150% of Federal Poverty Income Guidelines (FPIG). At least one member of the household must be a citizen or qualified alien.

How will I know which account to apply payment to?

The customer’s Account Number will be provided in the remittance information for each individual payment. Additionally, landlords will receive email notification about payments and summary reporting will be available on the portal.

What is the difference between the Texas Utility Help or Texas Homeowner Assistance programs?

Please refer to this chart to compare the programs and determine which one is best for your household.