Beyond government programs like LIHEAP, almost every major utility company in the United States operates its own hardship and assistance programs. These company-funded programs provide emergency grants, arrearage forgiveness, bill credits, and reduced rates — and most customers never know they exist.
What Are Utility Hardship Programs?
Utility companies fund assistance programs through:
- Small voluntary contributions from other customers ($1-$5/month opt-in)
- Shareholder donations
- Regulatory mandates from state public utility commissions
- Partnerships with nonprofits (Salvation Army, United Way, Dollar Energy Fund)
These programs are separate from government assistance like LIHEAP — meaning you can use both.
Major Utility Hardship Programs by Company
Electric Utilities
| Company | Program Name | Benefit | States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duke Energy | Share the Warmth | Up to $600 grant | NC, SC, FL, IN, OH, KY |
| Dominion Energy | EnergyShare | Up to $600 grant | VA, NC, SC |
| Southern Company (Georgia Power) | Project Share | Emergency grants | GA, AL, MS |
| Exelon (ComEd, BGE, PECO) | CARES / MEAP | Arrearage forgiveness | IL, MD, PA |
| AEP | Community Assistance | Up to $500 | OH, TX, VA, WV, IN |
| NextEra (FPL) | Care to Share | Up to $500 | FL |
| Eversource | New Start | Arrearage forgiveness + discount | CT, MA |
| National Grid | Bill Discount Program | 25-30% off | NY, MA |
| Con Edison | EAP | Monthly discount + arrearage | NY |
| Entergy | The Power to Care | Up to $200 | AR, LA, MS, TX |
| PG&E | REACH | Up to $300 grant | CA |
| SCE | EAF | Up to $100 credit | CA |
| Xcel Energy | Payment Plan Plus | Extended terms + forgiveness | MN, CO, WI |
| DTE Energy | Low Income Self-Sufficiency | Forgiveness + discount | MI |
| Ameren | Keeping Current | Arrearage match | IL, MO |
| PSE&G | True-Up | Forgiveness program | NJ |
Gas Utilities
| Company | Program Name | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| National Fuel Gas | LIPP | Low-income payment plan |
| Nicor Gas | Sharing Program | Emergency grants |
| Peoples Gas | PEC | Emergency credits |
| SoCalGas | Gas Assistance Fund | Up to $100 credit |
| Columbia Gas | WarmChoice | Weatherization + assistance |
| CenterPoint Energy | Bill Help | Emergency assistance |
Types of Hardship Programs
1. Emergency Grants (One-Time Help)
- What: A direct credit applied to your account
- Amount: Typically $100-$600
- Frequency: Usually once per 12 months
- Examples: Duke Share the Warmth, FPL Care to Share, PG&E REACH
2. Arrearage Forgiveness (Debt Elimination)
- What: Past-due balance forgiven over time with on-time payments
- Amount: Often 1/12th of arrearage forgiven per on-time payment
- Timeline: 12-24 months of consistent payments
- Examples: ComEd CARES, Eversource New Start, PSE&G True-Up, Con Edison EAP
3. Discounted Rates
- What: Reduced per-kWh rate or percentage discount on total bill
- Amount: 10-35% off monthly bill
- Duration: Ongoing while income-eligible
- Examples: National Grid Bill Discount, CA CARE, Con Edison EAP
4. Payment Matching
- What: Utility matches your payments to reduce arrears faster
- Amount: Often $1-for-$1 match up to a cap
- Examples: Ameren Keeping Current, some Salvation Army partnerships
How to Access These Programs
Step 1: Call Your Utility
Call customer service and use these phrases:
- "I'm having trouble paying my bill and need help"
- "Do you have a hardship program or customer assistance program?"
- "I'd like to apply for financial assistance or arrearage forgiveness"
- "What programs do you have for low-income customers?"
Step 2: Ask Specifically About
- Emergency grants or credits
- Arrearage forgiveness programs
- Discounted rate programs
- Extended payment plans (longer than standard)
- Medical baseline or medical protection
- Referrals to community assistance
Step 3: Apply for Multiple Programs
You can typically stack:
- Utility hardship program + LIHEAP + state discount program + nonprofit assistance
- Example: ComEd customer could get CARES (arrearage forgiveness) + LIHEAP ($500 grant) + PIPP (payment plan) + Salvation Army ($300 grant)
Tips for Maximizing Assistance
- Apply early — don't wait until disconnection
- Ask for a supervisor if the first rep doesn't know about programs
- Call multiple times — different reps have different knowledge
- Document everything — note dates, names, and confirmation numbers
- Combine with government programs — these are separate funding sources
- Reapply annually — most programs allow yearly applications
- Check both gas AND electric — each may have separate programs
- Contact 211 — they maintain comprehensive local databases
If You're Denied
If your utility says you don't qualify:
- Ask what specifically disqualified you
- Ask if there are alternative programs
- File a complaint with your state's Public Utility Commission
- Contact a legal aid organization
- Try nonprofit sources: Salvation Army, St. Vincent de Paul, Catholic Charities, local churches
Quick Checklist
- [ ] Call your utility and ask about hardship/customer assistance programs
- [ ] Ask specifically about: grants, arrearage forgiveness, discounts, extended plans
- [ ] Apply for LIHEAP separately through your Community Action Agency
- [ ] Contact 211 for additional local resources
- [ ] Check if you qualify for medical baseline/protection
- [ ] Document all conversations (date, name, what was discussed)
- [ ] Reapply annually for ongoing programs
- [ ] If denied, ask why and request alternatives or escalate
Bottom Line
Every major utility in America has some form of hardship assistance — from emergency grants to long-term arrearage forgiveness. The challenge is that these programs are often poorly advertised and customer service reps may not mention them unless you ask directly. Be specific, be persistent, and remember that these programs are separate from government assistance like LIHEAP — you can use both.
Sources
- Dollar Energy Fund: dollarenergyfund.org
- National Energy Assistance Referral: 866-674-6327
- United Way 211: 211.org
- Salvation Army utility assistance: salvationarmyusa.org
