Guide for Seeking Utility Bill Payment Assistance
As of January 15, 2021, three sources of electric and gas utility bill assistance funding were available: federal funding through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP; Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) funds; and, utility bill payment assistance offered directly by utilities. Additionally, the December 2021 federal COVID relief bill created an assistance fund for water and wastewater bills, but those funds are not yet available. This document will be updated with more information on that program when it comes out.
Utility Bill Payment Assistance
Many utilities throughout the state offer their own utility bill assistance. So first and foremost, contact your utility and ask if they have funds available to help you pay your bills. We are in the process of putting together a comprehensive list of the services available through utilities to help you. In the meantime if you are a Duke Energy customer, Duke has a program called Share the Warmth that offers direct bill payment assistance, as well as other resources that can help.
Table of Contents
Know Your Rights
- For Customers of Investor-Owned Utilities
- For Customers of Municipally-Owned Electric, Gas and/or Water Utilities, or Electric Cooperatives