Program Updates

November 3, 2023

Texas Utility Help is not accepting new energy or water applications for assistance at this time.

For those who still need energy bill assistance, please visit Help for Texans.

September 15, 2023

Texas Utility Help is not accepting new energy bill assistance applications at this time. We continue to process submitted applications until all available funds are distributed. We will contact applicants by email to give status updates or ask for more information, if needed.

For those who still need energy assistance:

  • Homeowners may qualify for utility assistance through the Texas
    Homeowner Assistance program.
  • You can also visit Help for Texans to search for local organizations that may be able to provide utility bill assistance.

Water and wastewater utility assistance is still available, and eligible households are encouraged to apply.

August 24, 2023

Water and Wastewater Payments Extension

Texas Utility Help recently received an extension to help more people pay their water bills. As a result, the program will extend the payment credit for water and wastewater bills through Dec. 31, 2023.

If you were previously approved for water assistance, Texas Utility Help will automatically send an additional payment to your provider for future water and wastewater bills through Dec. 31, 2023 (three months at $85 per month). This payment will be a total lump sum of $255.

New applicants can still get help paying past-due water and wastewater bills in full, plus $85 per month through Dec. 31, 2023.

For questions, contact our call center at 1-855-566-2057 (toll-free), Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST. Help is available in multiple languages.

January 12, 2023

Starting January 2023, Texas Utility Help will cover past-due amounts PLUS future water and wastewater bills through September 30, 2023, at $85 per month.

If approved for water and wastewater assistance, Texas Utility Help will automatically send the applicant’s water and wastewater provider one payment equal to:

  • The applicant’s past-due balance (if any) PLUS
  • $85 per month for future bills, through September 30, 2023

Total future bills will depend on the payment issue date. For example, payments issued in January will include nine months of future bills. Payments issued in March will include seven months of future bill payments.

If you received water and wastewater assistance before January 2023:
Texas Utility Help will automatically send a second payment to your provider for future bills for January through September 2023 (nine months) as a one-time lump sum of $765.

If you have questions, please call 1-855-566-2057 (toll-free). The call center is open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST. Help is available in multiple languages.

November 18, 2022

Texas Utility Help is not accepting new energy bill assistance applications at this time. We continue to process submitted applications until all available funds are distributed. We will contact applicants by email to give status updates or ask for more information, if needed.

For those who still need energy assistance:

  • Homeowners may qualify for utility assistance through the Texas Homeowner Assistance program.
  • You can also visit Help for Texans to search for local organizations that may be able to provide utility bill assistance.

Water and wastewater utility assistance is still available, and eligible households are encouraged to apply.

November 4, 2022

Texas Utility Help is accepting new online applications for energy bill assistance. Qualified homeowners and renters can get help with total past due utility payments for electricity, natural gas, and propane plus up to $2,400 in prospective payments.

Applicants must meet the following criteria to qualify:

  • Household income must be at or below 150% of Federal Poverty Income Guidelines.
  • At least one occupant in the household must be a United States citizen or Qualified Alien.

July 13, 2022

Due to overwhelming interest in the program, we are currently not accepting new applications for energy assistance while we process the ones already in the queue. However, we are still continuing to take new applications for water and wastewater utility bills.

The volume of applications we received speaks to the tremendous need for utilities assistance – especially as we continue to see record high temperatures this summer.

Here’s what you need to know:

  • If you have already submitted your application for energy assistance, it is still under review. We will contact applicants by email using the information provided to give status updates. Sufficient funds are available to assist those who have already submitted (if eligible).
  • If you had started your application for energy assistance, but not yet submitted it, you are encouraged to complete it as soon as possible, as funds are limited.
  • Submitted applications will continue to be processed until all available funds are distributed.
  • Water and wastewater utility bills will continue to be processed and ample funds are available.
  • Applications are processed in the order in which they are received, with a priority given to those who have experienced or are under threat of having services disconnected.
  • For those who still need assistance, please visit Help for Texans, to search for local providers who may be able to provide utility bill assistance.