Texas
FY 2011/2012 Low-Income Energy Programs
Federal | State | Utility | Charitable
Federal
LIHEAP Contact
Public Inquiries: 1-877-399-8939
Website: www.tdhca.state.tx.us/ea.htm
LIHEAP Administering Agency Contacts
www.tdhca.state.tx.us/ea/docs/12-CEAPSubrecipients.pdf
Weatherization Assistance Program
Local Administering Agency Contacts
Website
1-888-606-8889
LIHEAP FY 2013 Funding (Initial Release under the Continuing Resolution)
$117,940,000
LIHEAP Income Eligibility Level
125% Federal Poverty Level
LIHEAP FY 2011 Benefit
Heating and cooling: $1,200 maximum
LIHEAP Households Served (Estimate for FY 2009)
Heating: 23,863
Cooling: 125,846
LIHEAP Program Dates
Heating and crisis: year-round
Cooling: March - November
State
Low-Income Energy Efficiency
The electric competition law created a System Benefit Fund, part of which is used to help finance energy efficiency programs. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) will administer energy efficiency programs in coordination with existing weatherization programs. Utilities will develop standard-offer programs to install energy efficiency measures that may include: compact fluorescent lightbulb lease-purchase programs, refrigerator and air-conditioner lease-purchase programs, and water-flow restrictors (low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators) provided free of charge. Independent service providers will deliver these services to customers. TDHCA operates partnership programs with: Central Power & Light, El Paso Electric, Entergy, HLP / Reliant, Southwest Public Service, Southwestern Electric Power, Texas Utilities Electric, Texas-New Mexico Power and West Texas Utilities.
www.tdhca.state.tx.us/ea.htm#consumerWAP
Contact TDHCA at 1-888-606-8889 or locate a local service provider.
Utility
Low Income Rate Assistance
Austin Energy
CAP Discounts
Customers on low or fixed incomes who receive certain state, federal, and local entitlement programs can benefit from the City of Austin's CAP Discounts program.
You may qualify for the following: $10.00 a month discount on your electric service; $10.24 (on average) discount on your total electrical usage and $1.72 (on average) discount for your CAP Discount portion of the community benefit charge. An application form is available online or call
512-494-9400 to request a form by mail.
Central Power & Light
Lite-Up Texas
Effective May through August 2011, low-income customers are eligible for a summer discount. Households currently receiving Food Stamps or Medicaid will automatically be included in the program. Those with total household income of less than 125 percent of federal poverty guidelines may apply by calling 1-888-782-8477. You can fax or email a scanned copy of your program application to the administrator. The toll free fax number is 1-877-215-8018 and the address to email your scanned copy with all the backup information is liteuptexassupport@solixinc.com. More information and applications are available at the PUC website.
www.puc.state.tx.us/consumer/lowincome/Assistance.aspx
CPS Energy (San Antonio)
- Affordability Discount
Residential customers whose income is at or below 125% of Federal Poverty Guidelines and who meet at least one of the following requirements qualify for a discount on their monthly service availability charge — $6.55 per month for electric customers and $3.15 for gas customers. In addition to meeting Federal Poverty Guidelines, qualified individuals: must be 60 years of age or older; have a disability; use life-sustaining medical equipment; or have pre-school aged children or children in school 18 years or younger; meet Veterans' Discount qualifications; or have extenuating circumstances determined by CPS Energy or the City of San Antonio. Qualifications for the Affordablity Discount are determined by the City's Department of Community Initiatives.
For more information, call 210-353-2222.
www.cpsenergy.com/Residential/Billing_Payments/Affordability_Discount.asp
- Veterens Discount
Military veterans who have significantly decreased abilities to regulate their body's core temperature because of severe burns received during armed conflict or in combat may receive up to $90 per month off of the electric portion of their CPS Energy bill. This discount will be effective for the months of April through October. For the months of November through March, applicants may apply for the Electric Affordability Discount Program. An applicant may participate in only one electric discount at a time. However, participants may participate in the Affordability Gas Discount while receiving the Veterans’ Discount.
Medical confirmation will be required every 12 months for program participation. A medical military facility certification is required to determine eligibility.
Customers interested in utilizing this program should print and complete an application (see website link below) and fax it to 210-353-3666. Customers also may call 210-353-4838 to request an enrollment package.
www.cpsenergy.com/Residential/Billing_Payments/Veterans_Discount/index.asp
El Paso Electric
Low Income Rider
Eligible customers will not be billed the Residential Service Customer Charge. Eligibility: Food Stamp recipient
915-543-5970 or email: customerservices@epelectric.com
www.epelectric.com/
First Choice Power
- Lite-Up Texas
Effective May through August 2011, low-income customers are eligible for a summer discount. Households currently receiving Food Stamps or Medicaid will automatically be included in the program. Those with total household income of less than 125 percent of federal poverty guidelines may apply by calling 1-888-782-8477. You can fax or email a scanned copy of your program application to the administrator. The toll free fax number is 1-877-215-8018 and the address to email your scanned copy with all the backup information is liteuptexassupport@solixinc.com. More information and applications are available at the PUC website.
www.puc.state.tx.us/consumer/lowincome/Assistance.aspx
- Deposit waivers are available for seniors 62 and older.
866-469-2464
Reliant
- Lite-Up Texas
Effective May through August 2011, low-income customers are eligible for a summer discount. Households currently receiving Food Stamps or Medicaid will automatically be included in the program. Those with total household income of less than 125 percent of federal poverty guidelines may apply by calling 1-888-782-8477. You can fax or email a scanned copy of your program application to the administrator. The toll free fax number is 1-877-215-8018 and the address to email your scanned copy with all the backup information is liteuptexassupport@solixinc.com. More information and applications are available at the PUC website.
www.puc.state.tx.us/consumer/lowincome/Assistance.aspx
- Reliant has a moratorium on disconnecting electricity service for low-income seniors, critical-care customers and other low-income residential customers who contact Reliant Energy and agree to a payment plan
Call 713-207-7777 or 866-222-7100
- Waived residential customer deposits for senior citizens 65 and older.
Call 713-207-7777 or 866-222-7100
- Low Income Deposit (LID) Program
Assists customers in the Centerpoint service territory to pay the deposit for their electricity service. Qualified customers include seniors aged 60-64 (deposit is waived for seniors 65 and above), families with children aged 6 years old or younger and disabled individuals. Call toll free at 866-735-4268 for assistance or contact one of the agencies below:
Harris County Social Services 713-696-7900
Ft. Bend Social Services 281-342-7300
Galveston County Community Action Council 409-762-8418
TXU Energy
Lite-Up Texas
Effective May through August 2011, low-income customers are eligible for a summer discount. Households currently receiving Food Stamps or Medicaid will automatically be included in the program. Those with total household income of less than 125 percent of federal poverty guidelines may apply by calling 1-888-782-8477. You can fax or email a scanned copy of your program application to the administrator. The toll free fax number is 1-877-215-8018 and the address to email your scanned copy with all the backup information is liteuptexassupport@solixinc.com. More information and applications are available at the PUC website.
www.puc.state.tx.us/consumer/lowincome/Assistance.aspx
West Texas Utilities
Lite-Up Texas
Effective May through August 2011, low-income customers are eligible for a summer discount. Households currently receiving Food Stamps or Medicaid will automatically be included in the program. Those with total household income of less than 125 percent of federal poverty guidelines may apply by calling 1-888-782-8477. You can fax or email a scanned copy of your program application to the administrator. The toll free fax number is 1-877-215-8018 and the address to email your scanned copy with all the backup information is liteuptexassupport@solixinc.com. More information and applications are available at the PUC website.
www.puc.state.tx.us/consumer/lowincome/Assistance.aspx
Low Income Energy Efficiency
Atmos Energy
Keeping the Warmth
Qualified customers may receive up to $200 worth of caulking, weather-stripping, sealing, insulation and like materials. To enroll in the program, customers can call the company’s Customer Support Center at 1-888-286-6700 or sign up at a local energy assistance agency.
www.atmosenergy.com/home/efficiency/midtex.html
Austin Energy
Energy Home Improvements
Available improvements for income-qualified customers include: attic insulation; ductwork sealing and/or repair; door weatherstripping; solar screen installation; window replacements; and carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.
512-974-7827
Para Español, 512- 972-9520
www.austinenergy.com/
Emergency Charitable Assistance
Please note these charitable funds are last resort emergency funds with limited resources and limited times of operation.
Atmos Energy
Sharing the Warmth
Customer donations combine with company donations to help people pay their gas bills. All donations go directly to local people in need that meet criteria established by each individual program's guidelines. To contact the energy assistance agency in your area visit www.atmosenergy.com/cs/sharethewarmth.html
Austin Energy
- PLUS 1
Emergency utility bill assistance is available to help pay utility bills of customers facing extraordinary situations such as loss of job or medical problems. The funding is distributed through some 15 community assistance groups such as Travis County Family Support Services. Contact social service agencies.
Entergy Texas
The Power to Care
Funds provide short-term utility bill assistance to low-income elderly or disabled.
1-800-368-3749
www.entergy-texas.com/our_community/fuel_fund.aspx
Entergy
Beat The Heat
During May, thousands of fans are distributed to customers by numerous partner agencies such as Total Community Action, Salvation Army and various Councils on Aging and with the assistance of employee volunteers.
1-800-368-3749
Central Texas Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Operation Round Up
Member donations provide funds for individuals with special needs, health and rescue organizations, food banks, educational projects, and child care programs. Applications from individuals, organizations and communities will be accepted by a voluntary board, which will review and approve applications for assistance based on demonstrated need and funds available. An application form is available on the website.
www.ctec.coop/content/operation-round
Comanche Electric Cooperative
Operation Round Up
Donated funds may be used for community service projects, economic development, education and youth programs, crisis centers or individuals needing emergency assistance. Application forms for groups and individuals are available at Comanche Electric Cooperative.
1-800-915-2533 or 325-356-2533
CPS Energy (San Antonio)
- Residential Energy Assistance Partnership (REAP)
This program helps disadvantaged elderly, disabled and low-income customers with small children pay their CPS Energy bill. The City of San Antonio and Bexar County are responsible for the distribution of REAP funds to qualifying individuals and families. REAP recipients are eligible for financial assistance twice a year (up to $400 per year) — once during the heating season and again during the cooling season.
To qualify for REAP, you must:- Be at or below 125 percent of the federal poverty level and must be experiencing a financial hardship.
- Have children 3 years of age or younger.
- Be elderly, handicapped or require critical-care equipment.
- Be a resident of San Antonio or Bexar County .
www.cpsenergy.com/Residential/Billing_Payments/REAP/Reap_assistance.asp
- Project WARM
Administered by the City of San Antonio (210-207-7830) and the Bexar County Housing and Human Services Department (210-335-6770, Project WARM also provides utility assistance to CPS customers. The program is funded by royalty interests from natural gas reserves donated by the Wagner & Brown Partnership of Midland, Texas. Recipients can only receive aid once a year from either REAP Inc. or Project WARM.
www.cpsenergy.com/Residential/Billing_Payments/Emergency_Assistance_Programs.asp
Denton Municipal
P-L-U-S One Program
Customer contributions are forwarded to Interfaith Ministries, which disburses the funds to hardship-stricken families to help maintain their utility service.
940-349-8700
http://38.106.4.184/index.aspx?page=559
First Choice Power
Care to Share
Customer and utility donations provide emergency assistance.
866-469-2464
Lubbock Power & Light
Project Helping Hands
Customers needing help paying their utility bill can contact Catholic Family Services at (806) 765-8475 for more information.
http://lpandl.ci.lubbock.tx.us/helping-hand.htm
New Braunfels Utilities
Utility Bill Assistance Program
Designed to aid persons in NBU’s service area to pay for their electric, water and wastewater bills. The Salvation Army of Comal County manages the program for NBU and is charged with accepting applications, determining qualifications and deciding how much assistance will be granted to each applicant. Contact the Salvation Army of Comal County directly at 830-608-9129 for more information.
www.nbutexas.com/CustomerCare/ResidentialCustomers/HighBillAssistance/
UtilityBillAssistanceProgram/tabid/412/Default.aspx
Reliant Energy
CARE
A community-based program designed to support Reliant Energy customers who are having difficulty making ends meet because of extreme hardship, such as loss of income, illness or death in the family. Customers looking for assistance can call 211 from anywhere in the state of Texas to locate the agencies with CARE funding.
Sam Houston Electric Cooperative
Helping Hands Program
Sam Houston Electric Cooperative's non-profit Helping Hands Program provides funding to help members in financial and/or physical distress pay their energy related bills. The Program is funded entirely by contributions from Sam Houston Electric Cooperative employees and members.
Livingston 936-327-5711
Coldspring 936-653-5400
Woodville 409-283-8251
www.samhouston.net/about/helping.htm
San Bernard Electric Cooperative
Operation Roundup
Member donations assist members in need with utility bill payments. These are most often elderly or disabled members on a fixed income or a member in a crisis situation.
409-865-3171 or 1-800-364-3171
www.sbec.org/content/bill-payment-assistance
South Plains Electric Cooperative
Operation Round-Up
Member donations are spent locally for: individuals - including victims of fire or medical tragedies and scholarships; communities - including youth programs, city and county projects and school projects and organizations - including Texas Boys Ranch, Women's Protective Services, YWCA, Hospice of Lubbock, Kiwanis, Volunteer Fire Departments and others.
www.spec.coop/operationRoundUp.php
TXU Energy
TXU Energy AidSM
Using the contributions made by TXU Energy employees and customers, selected social service agencies across Texas administer the funds used to assist families. For every $1 donated, TXU Energy contributes approximately $5 and returns 100% of the funds to the local communities to help someone pay their electricity bill.
1-972-791-2888
Outside DFW:
1-800-818-6132
Send an email
United Cooperative Services
Operation Roundup
Member donations help other members with heating and air-conditioning equipment repair, equipment for the handicapped, life support equipment, electric bills, medical bills, staple food items and prescription medicine.
Office contacts
www.united-cs.com/roundup.aspx
WTU Direct Energy
Neighbor to Neighbor
Customer donations are matched dollar for dollar to provide assistance with electric bills. Contact your local agency for assistance.
Aspermont 940-989-3538
Marfa 432-729-4876
Crosbyton 1-800-692-4164
Coleman 1-800-625-4167 x239
Abilene 325-673-5785
Pecos 432-447-4913
Amarillo 806-372-2531
Fort Stockton 432-336-7526
Crowell 1-888-606-8889
San Angelo 325-657-4400 or 325-653-1680
LaMesa 915-652-8554
www.wturetailenergy.com/wtu/your_community/neighbor_program.aspx