New Texas Utility Help Site & Online Application Launched

The Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs (TDHCA) launched a new Texas Utility Help (TXUH) website, portal, and application process to help eligible low-income Texas homeowners and renters pay their utility bills, including electric, propane, natural gas, water, and wastewater. “We launched Texas Utility Help at the state level to make it easier for even more Texans to access and benefit from utility assistance programs,” said Bobby Wilkinson, TDHCA executive director. “The new program uses a streamlined online application process so that any eligible Texas household can apply for both energy and water bill assistance in a single form.” Texas Utility Help has over $50 million ready for Texas homeowners and renters in need. The statewide program works to distribute funding from the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the federal Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), providing an additional helping hand to the local Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) community agencies. So, Texans can either use the new statewide online application or go through their local

CEAPs as they have done for years. Texas homeowners and renters may apply for Texas Utility Help if their household income is at or below 150% of Federal Poverty Income Guidelines and they meet other eligibility criteria. The maximum household income depends on the number of people in the household. Full eligibility criteria can be found at TexasUtilityHelp.com. Qualified applicants can receive assistance for their total past due amounts for electricity, natural gas, and propane, plus up to $2,400 in prospective payments. All payments are issued directly to the utility or propane company on behalf of the applicant. For more information and questions, the call center is staffed Monday- Friday, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m., and can be reached toll-free at 855-566-2057.