Get help paying utility bills

A statewide initiative called Texas Utility Help aims to help eligible homeowners and renters pay their utility bills. Texans whose household income is at or below 150 percent of federal poverty income guidelines and who meet other eligibility requirements may submit an application. If they qualify, they can “receive assistance for their total past due amounts for electricity, natural gas and propane plus up to $2,400 in prospective payments. For water and wastewater assistance, qualified applicants can pay off their total past due payments and up to $600 in prospective payments. All payments are issued directly to the utility company on behalf of the applicant,” according to a news release. Bobby Wilkinson, executive director of the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, which administers the program, hopes the new initiative will “make it easier for even more Texans to access and benefit from utility assistance programs. The new program uses a streamlined online application process, so any eligible Texas household can apply for both energy and water bill assistance in a single form.” Find out more at TexasUtilityHelp.com.