There are a few government funded programs available to assist with costs of utility services. Here you’ll find links to assistance with heating and cooling your home. However, if you are experiencing difficultly paying for household utilities beyond heat and cooling, it is possible to contact your municipal service and ask for a utility moratorium. Communicating with your utility company will let them know you are going through financial hardship and they may be able to offer relief in the form of payment plans or waiving your deposit.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
LIHEAP is a federal program that helps low income families to heat and cool their home, as well as providing funds for weatherization to promote energy efficiency.
Telephone Assistance Programs
There are government programs available to make communications more affordable to lower income Americans. Lifeline is a federal home telephone, internet and cellular phone assistance program. You may qualify if you already receive government benefits such as: Medicaid, SNAP, Section 8 Housing, SSI or Veterans & Survivors Pension Program. You may also qualify based solely upon income.
To check for your eligibility for home telephone service or internet, enter your information at Lifeline National Verifier to see if you qualify.
For cell phone service, check your eligibility through Lifeline cellular service provider Q Link Wireless.
Caption Telephones for Hearing Impaired
CapTel is a federally funded service designed to provide phones to persons with hearing loss. All you need is a signed certification from your doctor or audiologist, and a home telephone line (internet service may be required for some models of caption telephones).
