Help Paying Your Electric Bill in Texas: Programs That Actually Help
Last updated: October 18, 2026 · 6 min read
When the electric bill is more than you can cover this month, the worst thing you can do is go quiet and hope it sorts itself out. Texas has real help for this moment — some state-funded, some run by providers and charities — but almost none of it comes find you. You have to know it exists and reach out, ideally before things turn into a full crisis. Here is who can actually help.
The short answer
Start with two phone calls. Dial 2-1-1 to be routed to your local community action agency and any crisis funds in your area, and apply for CEAP — Texas's main low-income energy-assistance program — through that local agency. Then ask your own electricity provider whether they run a hardship or bill-assistance fund. Remember: this kind of help pays down the bill you owe, but it does not lower your rate, so shop for a cheaper plan at the same time.
Start With CEAP, the State's Main Assistance Program
The biggest program in the state is CEAP, the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program. It is Texas's version of the federal LIHEAP, designed to help low-income households pay their electric bills and get through an energy crisis — including when the power is about to be shut off, or already has been.
One thing trips people up. CEAP is overseen by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), but you do not apply to the state directly. The money is delivered through local community action agencies — nonprofit offices that each serve specific counties. So your application happens close to home, with the agency that covers where you live. Read about the program on the TDHCA website, then find your local agency to apply.
One Call to 2-1-1 Finds Most of It
If you only make one call, make it 2-1-1. It is a free statewide helpline — also online at 211texas.org — that connects Texans to health and human-services programs, and it is the fastest way to find bill-payment help near you. Tell them you are struggling with your electric bill, and they will route you to your local community action agency, seasonal crisis funds, and resources you might never have heard of.
Here is why that matters. Assistance in Texas is scattered across dozens of local agencies and charities, each with its own rules and funding cycles. Hunting them all down yourself is exhausting when you are already stressed about money. Let 2-1-1 do the sorting.
Ask Your Provider About a Hardship Fund
Beyond the government programs, a lot of help flows from providers and nonprofits. Many retail electricity providers run a hardship or bill-assistance fund of their own — but they rarely advertise it. Call your provider's customer service line and ask plainly: do you have any bill-assistance or energy-aid program? The answer is more often yes than people expect.
Charities help too. Groups like the Salvation Army have long run energy-assistance funds that cover utility bills for families in a tight spot. Which ones are taking applications changes through the year, so 2-1-1 is again the quickest way to find active funds near you.
Apply early — the money runs out
These funds are limited, and demand spikes exactly when you would expect: the hottest stretch of summer and the coldest weeks of winter. Agencies often burn through their budgets during those peaks and turn applicants away. Do not wait until you are staring at a final notice — reach out the moment you know a bill will be a problem.
Who Usually Qualifies
Most of these programs are income-based. CEAP generally serves households at or below around 150% of the federal poverty level, though the exact limit changes over time — confirm the current figure when you apply. Priority often goes to the households most at risk if the power goes out: those with an elderly member, someone with a disability, or very young children at home.
If anyone in your household relies on electricity for medical equipment, flag that too. Texas has separate protections for medically vulnerable customers — our guide on medical electricity protection in Texas walks through them — and you may qualify for both those and bill assistance.
Take the Help, Then Shrink the Bill Itself
Here is the honest part. Assistance pays down what you owe right now, but it does not touch your rate — the price per kilowatt-hour you are charged. If that rate is high, next month's bill lands just as hard. So treat assistance as breathing room, not a permanent fix.
While you have a little space, compare plans at your real usage and lock a cheaper rate, so every future bill is smaller. Timing plays a part as well — our guide on when Texas electricity rates are lowest explains the seasonal pattern. And if things have already escalated to a shutoff warning, our guides on stopping a disconnection and what happens if you do not pay your bill cover those mechanics. This page stays focused on who can help you pay.
A smaller bill is the help that lasts
Assistance gets you through this month. A cheaper plan helps every month after it. Compare every plan in your ZIP at your actual usage in under a minute.
Compare Plans Free →Common Questions
What is CEAP and how do I apply for it in Texas?
CEAP, the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program, is Texas's version of the federal LIHEAP. It helps low-income households pay their electric bills and get through an energy crisis, including avoiding or restoring a shutoff. It is overseen by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, but you do not apply to the state directly — you apply through your local community action agency. Dial 2-1-1 or search 211texas.org to find the agency serving your county.
Who qualifies for help paying an electric bill in Texas?
Most programs are income-based. CEAP generally serves households at or below around 150% of the federal poverty level, though you should confirm the current limit when you apply. Priority often goes to households with an elderly member, someone with a disability, or very young children. Even if you are unsure, it is worth calling 2-1-1 — the helpline can point you to programs you may be eligible for.
Will bill assistance lower my electricity rate?
No. Assistance pays down a bill you already owe; it does not change the price per kilowatt-hour on your plan. A grant might get you through this month, but if your rate is high, next month's bill will be just as painful. The smart move is to take the help and shop for a cheaper plan at the same time, so the assistance carries you further.
I already got a disconnection notice — can these programs still help?
Yes. CEAP specifically covers energy crises, which can include avoiding a shutoff or getting power restored. But timing matters, so call your provider and 2-1-1 the same day. For the exact steps to stop a disconnection, see our separate disconnection guide. This page is about who can help you pay.