Texas
FY 2009 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
List of Agencies
LIHEAP FY 2009 Funding
$158,109,984 - regular block grant
$11,085,977 - emergency contingency funds
LIHEAP Income Eligibility Level
125% Federal Poverty Level
LIHEAP FY 2009 Benefit
Heating: $1,200 maximum
Cooling: $1,200 maximum
LIHEAP Households Served (Estimates for FY 2007)
Heating: 7,192
Cooling: 15,082
LIHEAP Program Dates
Year-round heating, cooling and crisis
State
Low-Income Rate Assistance
Lite-Up Texas
Effective July through October 2007, low-income customers in areas with retail electric choice (Houston, Dallas, and areas of South and West Texas) are eligible for a summer discount. Households currently receiving Food Stamps or Medicaid will automatically be included in the program if the information on file with the Health and Human Services Commission matches information on file with the household’s Retail Electric Provider. Those with total household income of less than 125% of federal poverty guidelines may apply by calling 1-800- 241-7011. Applications are available at the PUC website. (The discount will also be available June through October of 2008 and June through September of 2009.)
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
Low-Income Discount
The $6 service charge is waived for customers with persons living in the household who receive SSI, City of Austin Medical Assistance Program (MAP) or Aged, Blind and Disabled Medicaid. Eligible customers can also receive a 50% reduction on their residential City of Austin Drainage fee.
512-494-9400
www.austinenergy.com/Customer%20Care/
Central Power & Light
Lite-Up Texas
Effective July through October 2007, 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% of federal poverty guidelines may apply by calling 1-800- 241-7011. Applications are available at the PUC website. (The discount will also be available June through October of 2008 and June through September of 2009.)
1-866-454-8387
www.puc.state.tx.us/ocp/assist/liteup/index.cfm
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 July through October 2007, 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% of federal poverty guidelines may apply by calling 1-800- 241-7011. Applications are available at the PUC website. (The discount will also be available June through October of 2008 and June through September of 2009.)
1-866-454-8387
www.puc.state.tx.us/ocp/assist/liteup/index.cfm
- Deposit waivers are available for seniors 62 and older.
866-469-2464
Reliant
Lite-Up Texas
Effective July through October 2007, 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% of federal poverty guidelines may apply by calling 1-800- 241-7011. Applications are available at the PUC website. (The discount will also be available June through October of 2008 and June through September of 2009.)
1-866-454-8387
www.puc.state.tx.us/ocp/assist/liteup/index.cfm
TXU Energy
Lite-Up Texas
Effective July through October 2007, 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% of federal poverty guidelines may apply by calling 1-800- 241-7011. Applications are available at the PUC website. (The discount will also be available June through October of 2008 and June through September of 2009.)
1-866-454-8387
www.puc.state.tx.us/ocp/assist/liteup/index.cfm
TXU SESCO
Lite-Up Texas
Effective July through October 2007, 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% of federal poverty guidelines may apply by calling 1-800- 241-7011. Applications are available at the PUC website. (The discount will also be available June through October of 2008 and June through September of 2009.)
1-866-454-8387
www.puc.state.tx.us/ocp/assist/liteup/index.cfm
West Texas Utilities
Lite-Up Texas
Effective July through October 2007, 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% of federal poverty guidelines may apply by calling 1-800- 241-7011. Applications are available at the PUC website. (The discount will also be available June through October of 2008 and June through September of 2009.)
1-866-454-8387
www.puc.state.tx.us/ocp/assist/liteup/index.cfm
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
Provides attic insulation, sealing and/or repairing of ductwork,caulking of plumbing penetrations, door weatherstripping, solar screen installation for income-qualified customers.
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
Customer Assistance Program
The City of Austin sponsors the program to assist eligible customers who are having difficulty paying their utility bill. The program is funded through voluntary contributions from utility customers. Several local social service agencies screen applications and determine eligibility
Contact social service agencies.
www.austinenergy.com/Customer_Care/
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/operation_roundup.php
Comanche Electric Cooperative
Operation Round Up
Donated funds may be used for 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
http://www.ceca.coop/index.php?option=com_content&task=category§ionid=8&id=68&Itemid=393
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
www.dmepower.com/index.cfm?Section=4&Page=19
First Choice Power
Care to Share
Customer and utility donations provide emergency assistance.
866-469-2464
CPS Energy (San Antonio)
www.cpsenergy.com/Residential/Billing_Payments/Payment_Assistance/index.asp
- Residential Energy Assistance Partnership (REAP)
A non-profit foundation that helps needy families pay their utility bills year-round, and educates them on money-saving conservation measures. The City of San Antonio Department of Community Initiatives (210-207-7830 ) and the Bexar County Housing and Human Services Department (210-335-6770) determine eligibility and provide program information.
- 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.
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/CustomerService/serviceprogrms.php
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/displaySection7d6a.html?section_id=222
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.
Contacts
www.southplainselectric.com/main/pages/oproundup.asp
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.htm
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 Stockto 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
Page Last Updated:
November 25, 2008
