State gas and electric bill discounts
6 states have their own discount on gas and electric bills for households with a lower income, on top of LIHEAP and the Weatherization Assistance Program, which run in every state.
- California: California CARE and FERA
- New York: New York Energy Affordability Program (EAP)
- Ohio: Ohio PIPP Plus
- New Jersey: New Jersey Universal Service Fund (USF)
- Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania utility Customer Assistance Programs (CAP)
- Georgia: Georgia Power Income-Qualified Discount
California
California CARE and FERA
CARE takes 30 to 35% off electric bills and 20% off gas for households with a lower income. FERA gives a smaller discount to families just above the CARE limit.
How to apply: Apply through your utility (PG&E, SCE, SDG&E or SoCalGas).
New York
New York Energy Affordability Program (EAP)
A monthly discount on electric and gas bills for households getting certain benefits, including HEAP.
How to apply: Many households are enrolled automatically. Ask your utility.
Ohio
Ohio PIPP Plus
Households at or below 175% of the federal poverty level pay a set share of their income for gas and electric, and past-due balances are forgiven with on-time payments.
How to apply: Apply through your local Energy Assistance provider.
New Jersey
New Jersey Universal Service Fund (USF)
A monthly credit on gas and electric bills for households with a lower income. One application covers USF and LIHEAP.
How to apply: Apply online at the New Jersey DCA Aid portal.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania utility Customer Assistance Programs (CAP)
Reduced monthly bills set by income, run by each utility.
How to apply: Ask your electric or gas company about its CAP.
Georgia
Georgia Power Income-Qualified Discount
A monthly discount for Georgia Power customers with household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. Georgia Power also has a senior discount (EASE).
How to apply: Apply on Georgia Power's assistance page.
Every state: LIHEAP and weatherization
LIHEAP helps with heating and cooling bills and shutoffs through your state. Call 1-866-674-6327 or visit energyhelp.us to find your office. The Weatherization Assistance Program can also make your home cheaper to heat, for free.
LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program)
Federally funded help with heating and cooling bills, avoiding shutoffs, reconnecting service and energy repairs. Run by states.
Who qualifies: Households with limited income. Rules vary by state.
How to apply: Find your state's office at energyhelp.us or call the National Energy Assistance Referral line at 1-866-674-6327.
Weatherization Assistance Program
Free home energy upgrades that cut bills, from the US Department of Energy through local agencies.
Who qualifies: Households with limited income. Rules vary by state.
How to apply: See the Department of Energy page for your local provider.
211 (United Way)
Free, confidential referrals to local help with bills, food, housing and more.
Who qualifies: Anyone.
How to apply: Call 211 or visit 211.org.
Texas's old LITE-UP discount has ended, so start with LIHEAP and 211.
Official programmes are free to apply for. Nobody legitimate charges a fee to sign you up.
Quick answers
- Is there an electric bill discount in California?
- California CARE and FERA: CARE takes 30 to 35% off electric bills and 20% off gas for households with a lower income. FERA gives a smaller discount to families just above the CARE limit.
- Is there an electric bill discount in New York?
- New York Energy Affordability Program (EAP): A monthly discount on electric and gas bills for households getting certain benefits, including HEAP.
- Is there an electric bill discount in Ohio?
- Ohio PIPP Plus: Households at or below 175% of the federal poverty level pay a set share of their income for gas and electric, and past-due balances are forgiven with on-time payments.
- Is there an electric bill discount in New Jersey?
- New Jersey Universal Service Fund (USF): A monthly credit on gas and electric bills for households with a lower income. One application covers USF and LIHEAP.
- Is there an electric bill discount in Pennsylvania?
- Pennsylvania utility Customer Assistance Programs (CAP): Reduced monthly bills set by income, run by each utility.
- Is there an electric bill discount in Georgia?
- Georgia Power Income-Qualified Discount: A monthly discount for Georgia Power customers with household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. Georgia Power also has a senior discount (EASE).
- What if my state is not listed?
- LIHEAP helps with heating and cooling bills and shutoffs through your state. Call 1-866-674-6327 or visit energyhelp.us to find your office. The Weatherization Assistance Program can also make your home cheaper to heat, for free.
Sources
- https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/industries-and-topics/electrical-energy/electric-costs/care-fera-program
- https://dps.ny.gov/energy-affordability-program
- https://puco.ohio.gov/utilities/gas/resources/pipp-plus
- https://nj.gov/dca/dhcr/offices/usf.shtml
- https://www.puc.pa.gov/about-the-puc/consumer-education/utility-assistance-programs/
- https://www.georgiapower.com/residential/assistance/income-qualified-discount.html
- https://acf.gov/ocs/programs/liheap
- https://www.energy.gov/cmei/scep/wap/weatherization-assistance-program
- https://www.211.org/
- Lower My Bill help data for electricity (California example)
Ask Lower My Bill yourself
Choose Electricity and gas, add your state, and get a script to lower the bill with your state's discount. Open Lower My Bill, free, no sign-up.
In Claude or any app that takes MCP connectors, add https://goodturn-mcp.pages.dev/lowermybill/mcp and ask: “Is there help with my electric bill in Ohio?”