Energy Assistance Programs

• United Way was instrumental in creating a national 211 emergency social services program. The 211 program is available to search for local social services, such as energy bill assistance. For more information on the 211 telephone hot line or to use the locator, visit the official United Way 211 website.
  
  LIHEAP is the acronym for the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. To locate a LIHEAP program in your area, visit the Administration for Children and Families' LIHEAP state grantee locator Web page.
  
  

Community Action Agencies

• Community Action Agencies administer energy programs on behalf of states and offer energy bill assistance, usually on a one-time basis only. Local utility companies and the Salvation Army are also common program administrators and are sources for information on and application for energy bill assistance. There are over 1,000 CAA programs in the United States.
  
  

Private Organizations

• Charitable organizations such as the Salvation Army and Catholic Charities programs may be able to assist you by providing energy bill assistance, if you are facing utility shut off. These organizations provide assistance through local administrative offices.