TDHCA Press Room

Higher utility bills around the corner?

Cool fall weather may follow the heat of summer, but it probably won’t get here as fast as that other predictable fact of life: High summer utility bills.

Where can low-income households turn to for help when they can’t pay their energy bills? Look no further than TDHCA and its Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (“CEAP”).

In addition to helping Texans meet their immediate energy needs, CEAP provides energy education, a needs assessment, and budget counseling to help qualifying households better manage their long-term energy use.

CEAP is administered through contracts with local nonprofit and government agencies and serves clients at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. This equals an annual income of $36,450 for a family of four.

To locate the CEAP provider serving your county, call (877) 399-8939 toll free between 8 am and 5 pm Central time, Monday through Friday.

This number will connect you directly with the CEAP service provider in your county. However, you must use a land-based phone; cell phones will not make this connection.

Alternately, you may visit the Help for Texans page on this Web site. Simply click on the “Utility Bill Help” radio button, key in the city (or county) in which you live, and hit “Find Help.”

So don’t wait if you’re in need of assistance. Like Autumn, help may be right around the corner.