Texas Utility Help is a new program from the State of Texas to help homeowners and renters with low income. Eligible expenses include electricity, gas, propane, water and wastewater.
“Sam Houston Electric Cooperative understands that this summer has been challenging for many of our consumer-members due to the extended heat wave and increased power costs due to the price of natural gas,” Chief Communications Officer Keith Stapleton said. “Our staff has worked with Texas Utility Help to assist our members with applying for aid from this program.”
Texas Utility Help is funded by Federal programs such as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program. Applicants can receive help for past due amounts for electricity, natural gas and propane plus up to $2,400 in prospective payments. For water and wastewater assistance, applicants can pay off their total past due payments and up to $600 in prospective payments. Texas Utility Help sends payments directly to the utility company on behalf of the applicant.
For more information and questions, the Texas Utility Help call center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 855-566-2057. Help is available in multiple languages.
Recently, the program announced a brief pause in accepting applications for energy assistance. Help is still available for water and wastewater assistance, and representatives from Texas Utility help suggested that our consumer-members keep watching the site, or reach out for aid on water or wastewater bills.
Aid is also available from local assistance agencies, and a full list is available on our website.
“And for Co-op members who would like to help their neighbors in need, they can join Sam Houston Electric Cooperative’s Helping Hands Program,” Stapleton said. “Cooperative employees and members can donate to aid families in crisis. The funds are distributed by local assistance agencies.”
