Many older adults can't afford to heat and cool their home. Now, with prices rising everywhere, it’s becoming even harder for people to pay their energy bills. The National Energy Assistance Directors Association expects the average household will pay $1,202 to heat their home this winter—17% more than last year.1

How can I get help paying my energy bills?

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides limited financial help with energy bills to low-income households each year. But if you can’t get LIHEAP aid for some reason, there are other steps you can take to get help. Below are some ideas.

Talk to your energy provider

When you're having trouble paying your heating or cooling bills, it’s ok to ask for help. Some energy companies have programs that provide help with utility bills to customers with low income (such as special payment plans or lower rates). National Grid, for example, provides discounted rates on electric to customers already enrolled in certain benefit programs.

Call your energy provider directly, explain that you can’t afford your bills, and ask what they can do for you. Many companies will help you without asking you to prove you’re having financial trouble. While not all providers offer financial aid, it’s worth a phone call to find out.

Apply for weatherization assistance

Weatherization involves making changes and repairs to your home to help you reduce how much energy you use and lower your home utility bills. These changes may include insulating your walls or installing low-flow showerheads.

While weatherizing your home won’t help you save money right away, the money you save over time could add up to a lot. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, weatherization helps people save an average of $283 a year.2

If you’re an older adult with low income, you may be able to get weatherization services for free through the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). Homeowners, renters, and mobile-home owners can all apply for help through WAP. Choose your state, tribe, or territory on this map to review the program guidelines and see if you meet them.

Look for other energy bill relief programs in your state

Beyond LIHEAP and WAP, many states offer their own energy bill relief programs for residents that need help paying heating and cooling costs. For instance, Maryland offers the Arrearage Retirement Assistance grant program, which helps customers pay past-due electric and gas bills of $300 or more. Massachusetts has the Good Neighbor Energy Fund, which offers grants for those who have a temporary, urgent need for energy bill help.

If you’re comfortable using Google, that’s another great way to find energy bill relief programs. Just type "help with energy bills in [your state]" into the Google search box. NextAdvisor also provides a chart of state energy assistance programs on their website.

Reach out to your local Benefits Enrollment Center for advice

Benefits Enrollment Centers (BECs) work with Medicare members with low income and people with disabilities to find and enroll in all the benefits programs they qualify for. In addition to saving money on your energy bills, these programs can help you afford healthy groceries, get free transportation, and much more.

Working with a BEC can change your life for the better. Just ask David Z., age 75, a veteran with a disability who depends on his Social Security Disability Income. After contacting one of our BECs, David found out he qualified not only for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), but also for valuable energy discounts. "I'm so grateful," David told us. "These benefits save me hundreds of dollars a year."

Find a BEC in your area and set up a time to speak to a benefits counselor.

Sources

1. Home Heating Costs Reach Highest Level in More than 10 Years Families will Pay 17.2% More for Home Heating this Winter, NEADA. Found on the internet at https://neada.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/winter2022-23PR.pdf

2. Weatherization Works! U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy. Found on the internet at https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2018/03/f49/WAP-fact-sheet_final.pdf