Texas Utility Help to Lower Energy and Water Bills Now

Overview of Texas Utility Assistance

Rising summer temperatures and volatile electricity prices have put real pressure on Texas household budgets. Fortunately, several programs help income-qualified Texans pay their energy, propane, and utility bills. Most are funded federally through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and administered at the state level by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), with local delivery through community action agencies.

Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP)

The Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) is TDHCA's flagship energy assistance program. CEAP helps low-income households cover:

• Electric bills
• Natural gas bills
• Propane for heating and cooking
• Water and wastewater bills, when funding is available

CEAP also funds crisis intervention for households facing utility shutoff and can pay for minor heating or cooling equipment repairs. Participation in CEAP can be combined with weatherization services that reduce long-term energy use.

Texas Utility Help Status

Texas Utility Help (TUH) was a separate, pandemic-era utility assistance program launched by TDHCA to help Texans with delinquent utility bills. Due to limited funding, TUH stopped accepting applications for energy assistance on September 15, 2023, and for water assistance on November 3, 2023. TDHCA continues to receive regular allocations of federal LIHEAP funds, which now flow primarily through CEAP.

How to Apply

To apply for utility bill assistance, Texans should:

1. Contact a local community action agency. These agencies process applications and distribute funds locally.
2. Call 2-1-1 or (877) 399-8939, or visit 211texas.org, to locate the nearest participating agency.
3. Visit tdhca.texas.gov/help-for-texans and select "Utility Bill Payment Help" to find a provider by city or county.

Expect to provide documentation including a photo ID, recent utility bills, income verification for all household members, and proof of residency.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility for CEAP is based on household income and size. General rules include:

• Household income must be at or below a federal threshold, typically 150% of the federal poverty guidelines
• Priority is given to households containing an elderly member, a person with a disability, or young children
• Households already receiving SNAP, SSI, or TANF benefits often qualify automatically

Because funds are limited, agencies prioritize emergency cases such as active shutoff notices.

Beyond CEAP: Other Resources

Texans can stack additional resources to bring down utility costs:

• Weatherization Assistance Program: free weatherization work (insulation, air sealing, HVAC tune-ups) for income-qualified homes
• Utility-specific programs: many Texas utilities and cooperatives have their own bill-payment assistance or low-income discount programs
• Texas Gas Service Share the Warmth and similar programs support households with heating bills during cold months
• Faith-based and charity-supported funds, often coordinated through 2-1-1, provide additional emergency assistance

Long-Term Strategies

Short-term utility aid helps when bills come due, but longer-term savings come from reducing household energy use. Texas homeowners should consider:

• Federal Inflation Reduction Act rebates and tax credits for insulation, efficient HVAC, and heat pumps (as available in Texas)
• Solar PV systems with the federal 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit
• Energy audits offered by many utilities at little or no cost, which identify the highest-value efficiency upgrades

What About Water Bills?

Water bill assistance is more limited in Texas. When federal funds are available, CEAP may cover water and wastewater bills, and some cities offer their own discount or payment plan programs for low-income customers. During heat waves, some water providers also pause disconnections for vulnerable households. Residents should contact their water provider directly to ask about customer assistance programs, payment plans, or leak-adjustment policies.

Takeaway for Texas Homeowners

With demand for utility assistance higher than ever, Texans should apply early each program year, stay in touch with their local community action agency, and treat CEAP and weatherization as complements: the first lowers the immediate bill, while the second helps keep future bills affordable year after year.