Help with Utilities
House & Apartment
If you have trouble paying your bills, apply for help and contact your provider. You can apply for assistance through Texas Utility Help or one of the local programs listed below.
How do I keep my water and electricity connected?
Contact Your Provider: If you cannot pay your electricity contact your utility provider. While most providers have resumed shutoffs, many will work with you to set up a payment plan or find assistance. The sooner you contact your provider, the better.
Many cities and utility providers have also created programs to help with utility bills.
Go to Help for Texans to search for other local programs that can give emergency utility assistance. Select "Utility Bill Payment Help" and enter your city or county at the bottom of the page.
What about natural gas service?
Some natural gas providers have voluntarily halted natural gas shutoffs due to COVID-19.
Companies halting gas shutoffs:
- Atmos - Until further notice
- Centerpoint - Has resumed shutoffs, but go here to see how you may get help with your gas bill.
- Corix - Until further notice, but go here to see how you may get help with your gas bill.
- Coserv - Coserv has resumed shutoffs, but go here to see how may get help with your gas bill.
- Texas Gas Service - Has resumed shutoffs, but go here to see how you may get help with your gas bill.
- Texas-Kansas-Oklahoma Gas - Until further notice
The above list may be incomplete or out of date. Whether listed here or not, contact your gas provider to ask about programs to keep your gas connected.
Note that you will still owe money for unpaid gas bills. Participating companies have said only that they will temporarily halt shutoffs for nonpayment.
What about internet?
Many internet providers have programs to help people suffering hardship due to COVID-19. Contact your provider to benefit from these programs.
For more help affording internet, see our Internet Access article.
For help finding free public internet access, see the Texas Free WiFi Map.
I asked my electricity provider for a deferment, but they refused. What now?
Most electric and water providers in Texas must help you defer your bills if you ask. If you have complaints about your utility provider, call the Public Utility Commission of Texas at 888-782-8477, or email customer@puc.texas.gov.
You can also apply for help paying your utility bill at:
Or call 211 for more options.
My kids need the internet for school, but I can't afford it. What can I do?
Learn about internet assistance programs and affordable options.
Some schools are also doing their best to provide internet access to students. Austin, for example, has a fleet of buses that provide WiFi throughout the school district. (If you live in Austin, see the Austin ISD WiFi bus map.)
Also see the Texas Free Wifi Map to see if there is free public WiFi in your area.
For information on whether your child's school district helps provide access to the internet and online classes, go to the school's website, school district's website, or contact your school administrators.
Does this mean I won't owe money for utilities?
No. Talking to your company may help avoid late fees or lessen the amount you owe. However, even if your company has paused shutoffs or helped you with deferment, you must eventually pay your bills.
If you have complaints about your utility provider, call the Public Utility Commission of Texas at 888-782-8477, or email customer@puc.texas.gov.
I'm confused. Who do I call? Are my utility providers halting shutoffs?
Texas has a complicated patchwork of public and private utility sellers and resellers. If in doubt, contact your providers.
Be sure to write down the time you contacted the provider, the name of the person you talked to, and what was said.
My landlord shut off my utilities. Can they do that?
No, your landlord cannot shut off your utilities. This is true even if you are behind on rent.
For more information, see Utilities and Landlord/Tenant Issues.
Can I get help paying my utilities?
Maybe. In addition to Texas Utility Help, the following programs exist to help people pay utilities:
- Amarillo: Amarillo residents may be able to get help by applying with Amarillo Community Development.
- Austin: You can apply for help through Austin's Utility Assistance Referral.
- Beaumont: Beaumont is working with local charities to provide help with rent and utilities. Contact Some Other Place (409-832-7976) or Habitat for Humanity (409-832-5853) to apply. The application can be found on the Beaumont website.
- Belton: You can apply for utility assistance through the United Way of Central Texas.
- Brazoria County: Apply to BakerRipley Utility Assistance.
- Brownsville: Go here to learn how to apply for assistance through Project SHARE. You can also contact Catholic Social Services at 956-541-0220.
- Burnet County: Call 512-930-3460 or go to the Opportunities website to apply.
- El Paso area: Contact Project Bravo or Amistad's CARES program to see if you qualify help.
- Galveston County: Apply to BakerRipley Utility Assistance.
- Harris County: Apply toBakerRipley Utility Assistance. Also see this list of local organizations that provide rent, utility, food, clothing, and other assistance (from the Harris County Housing Authority).
- Hidalgo County: See the Hidalgo County Community Service Agency website to learn how to apply for help with utilities and other bills.
- Lubbock and surrounding area: City of Lubbock residents can to the Lubbock Community Development Department to apply for help with rent, house payments, and utilities. The Salvation Army is also providing rent and utility help to the Lubbock area. Call 800-765-9434 for an appointment regarding Salvation Army assistance.
See the Lubbock Utilities website for additional organizations that might be able to help. - Mesquite: Mesquite residents can apply for rent, mortgage, and utility help by calling Catholic Charities Dallas at 214-257-0674 or by emailing CCDdisaster@ccdallas.org.
- Pearland: Pearland residents can apply for help with rent an utilities through the Pearland Neighborhood Center.
- San Antonio: Go to SAWS' website or call 210-704-SAWS to apply for help paying your water bill. Apply through CPS for help with your electric bill in English or Spanish, or call 210-353-6110.
San Antonio's Fair Housing program also helps with utilities, internet access, rent, and mortgages. Learn how to apply on the program's website. - Tarrant County: Apply for help through Community Action Partners.
- Williamson County: Call 512-930-3460 or go to the Opportunities website to apply. Also, this flyer has information on additional rent and utility assistance programs.
- Also:
- Texas Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP)
- Greater East Texas Community Action Program
- Call the 211 Texas information service to see if there are additional programs near you that can help with your utility bills.
This list is likely incomplete, so you may want to check with your local government or utility provider to see if they have additional programs.