Your electric bill just arrived and the number makes your stomach drop. You have already cut back — shorter showers, lights off in every empty room, thermostat set to the bare minimum — and it is still not enough. In 2026, the average American household pays $183 per month for electricity and $120 per month for natural gas according to the Energy Information Administration. For families living paycheck to paycheck, those numbers represent an impossible choice between keeping the lights on and putting food on the table.
Utility assistance programs exist in every state, every county, and most cities across the United States. The challenge is not whether help exists — it is knowing where to look. And while you are connecting with those programs, apps like I am Beezy let you earn $5 to $15 per day from your cell phone by viewing content, putting an extra $150 to $300 per month toward your bills with zero commute and zero fixed schedule. Let us find the utility assistance near you right now.
How to Find Utility Assistance in Your Area
Dial 211 — the fastest route to local help
The single fastest way to find utility assistance near you is to dial 2-1-1 from any phone. The 211 helpline is operated by United Way and covers 94 percent of the US population. A trained specialist will search a database of local programs and tell you exactly which ones you qualify for, how to apply, and what documents you need. You can also text your zip code to 898-211 or search at 211.org. This is free, confidential, and available in most areas 24 hours a day.
Your local Community Action Agency
Community Action Agencies are the primary administrators of LIHEAP and other utility assistance programs at the local level. There are over 1,000 CAAs across the United States, and nearly every county has one. They handle applications for heating and cooling assistance, weatherization, and emergency utility payments. To find yours, search "Community Action Agency" plus your county name, or visit communityactionpartnership.com.
Your utility company's hardship program
Most major utility companies — Duke Energy, Con Edison, PG&E, Dominion Energy, Xcel Energy, and others — operate their own customer assistance programs. These typically offer payment plans, bill forgiveness for qualifying customers, level billing (spreading annual costs evenly across 12 months), and direct financial assistance funded by other ratepayers. Call the customer service number on your bill and ask specifically about their hardship or low-income program. Many customers never know these programs exist because they never ask.
| How to Find Help | What to Do | Expected Response Time |
|---|---|---|
| Dial 211 | Call, text zip to 898-211, or visit 211.org | Immediate referrals |
| Community Action Agency | Search your county + "Community Action Agency" | Appointment within 1-2 weeks |
| Utility company | Call customer service, ask for hardship program | Same-day enrollment available |
| State LIHEAP office | Search your state + "LIHEAP application" | Benefits in 2-4 weeks |
| Local nonprofits | Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, St. Vincent de Paul | 1-2 weeks for funding decision |
Major Utility Assistance Programs You Should Know
LIHEAP — federal heating and cooling assistance
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is the backbone of utility assistance in America. Funded at over $4 billion annually, LIHEAP provides direct bill payment assistance, crisis intervention for shutoff emergencies, and weatherization services that lower your bills permanently. Benefits average $400 to $1,000 per heating season depending on your state, and you can qualify with a household income up to 150 percent of the federal poverty level (or 60 percent of state median income, whichever is higher). Apply through your local Community Action Agency.
WAP — Weatherization Assistance Program
If high utility bills are a recurring problem, the Weatherization Assistance Program can help address the root cause. WAP provides free home energy improvements — insulation, air sealing, furnace repair or replacement, and efficiency upgrades — to qualifying low-income households. The average weatherization job saves families $372 per year on energy costs, and the improvements last for decades. WAP serves over 35,000 homes per year and is administered through the same Community Action Agencies that handle LIHEAP.
State-specific utility assistance programs
Many states operate their own utility assistance programs in addition to LIHEAP. California has CARE (California Alternate Rates for Energy), which provides a 30 to 35 percent discount on gas and electric bills. New York has HEAP plus the Emergency HEAP supplement. Texas offers the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program through local agencies. Ohio has PIPP Plus, which caps utility bills at a percentage of your income. Check with your state's public utility commission or energy office for programs specific to your area.
Bridging the Gap Between Assistance and Your Actual Bill
Why utility assistance is not always enough
LIHEAP is a lifeline, but it typically covers only a portion of your annual energy costs. If your winter heating bill totals $1,200 and LIHEAP pays $600, you still owe $600 out of pocket — $100 per month during the coldest months of the year when every other expense is also higher. This gap is where people fall behind, get shutoff notices, and end up in crisis mode all over again.
Earning your way through the gap
With I am Beezy, you view content on your cell phone — videos, articles, and ads — and each view generates real earnings. There is no minimum commitment, no skills required, and no schedule to follow. You earn when you have time, whether that is 10 minutes while waiting for the bus or 30 minutes in the evening. Users who are consistent about spending 20 to 30 minutes per day report monthly earnings of $150 to $300, which is enough to cover the gap LIHEAP leaves behind and keep your utilities current all year.
| Monthly Goal | Beezy Time Needed | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| $50-$100 | 10 min/day | Gas bill supplement |
| $100-$200 | 20 min/day | Electric bill in full |
| $200-$300 | 30 min/day | Electric + gas combined |
| $300-$450 | 30 min/day + referrals | All utilities + phone bill |
Common Questions About Utility Assistance
Can my utility company shut off service if I cannot pay?
Every state has disconnection protections. Most states prohibit shutoffs during extreme temperatures — both winter and summer. Many states also prohibit disconnection if there is a seriously ill person in the household, if the customer has a pending assistance application, or during designated moratorium periods. Contact your state's public utility commission to learn your specific protections, and always communicate with your utility company before a shutoff notice becomes a disconnection.
How long does it take to get utility assistance?
It depends on the program. Utility company hardship programs can sometimes be activated the same day you call. LIHEAP applications typically take 2 to 4 weeks to process, but crisis assistance can be disbursed within 48 to 72 hours if you are facing an imminent shutoff. Nonprofit organizations like the Salvation Army usually process requests within 1 to 2 weeks. The key is to apply early and to apply for multiple programs simultaneously.
Do I qualify for utility assistance if I rent?
Yes. If you pay your own utility bills — meaning the bills are in your name — you qualify for LIHEAP and most other utility assistance programs regardless of whether you rent or own. Even if utilities are included in your rent, some programs can still help. Ask your local Community Action Agency about your specific situation.
Will utility assistance affect my credit score?
No. Receiving utility assistance from LIHEAP, WAP, or nonprofit organizations has no impact on your credit score. In fact, getting help to stay current on your bills protects your credit, because unpaid utility bills that go to collections can damage your score for up to seven years.
Take the First Step Today
Utility assistance is not something to feel ashamed about — it is a resource you have already paid for through your taxes and it exists precisely for moments like this. Start by calling 211 to map out every program available in your area. Apply for LIHEAP and your utility company's hardship program simultaneously. And while those applications process, start building supplemental income by signing up for free on I am Beezy. A few minutes a day on your phone can generate the extra dollars that keep your lights on and your home heated all year long.
