ByI Need Help Paying My Electric Bill
The bills are piling up, and you can't keep up, am I right? Are you sick of being overcharged and having the bank take advantage of your inability to balance the checkbook? You're not alone. You're in league with at least 70% of Americans who can hardly make ends meet. Even worse, another study shows that 31% percent of Americans said they had trouble paying their energy bills in 2018. But what if there is a way to turn it all around. That's right!
You can contact your electric company and politely ask for some relief. They may be willing to give you a break, as it's easier for them to keep you on as a customer than to lose you entirely. We at DoNotPay know how to appeal to that business sense on your behalf with our Negotiate Bills product.
Types of Electrical Bill Assistance Available
Depending on where you live, you may have several options for . Some options include a payment plan that spreads payments over time or assistance programs that can help pay a portion of your bill or even your entire bill. Here are some types of assistance available:
| Electric bill shut off | If you need help paying the amount due before getting shut off, a payment plan may be an option. However, you may be eligible for an assistance program that will cover all or part of the past due amount in some instances. |
| Heating bills | Many retailers offer heating programs for customers who use electric heat. These plans spread payments out over a set time and typically include an interest charge. Some retailers also provide financial assistance programs to help cover costs during colder months. |
| Termination prevention services | In some states, utilities offer termination prevention services on past due bills and those at risk of disconnection. These programs provide little help with past due amounts in exchange for future payments toward current charges, thus making it easier to catch up on bills and avoid being shut off again in the future. |
Deciding Which Electrical Bills to Pay First
It can be tough to figure out which bills to pay first when you're short on cash. Ideally, you should be paying all your bills on time and not getting behind. If you do get behind, the best course of action is to get caught up as soon as possible — this can help limit late fees and penalties that can pile up quickly.
If you have a past-due bill, you should prioritize that bill over other expenses. Your electric company might be able to work out a payment plan with you so you can pay off the balance in installments.
If you're not sure how to prioritize your bills, consider speaking to DoNotPay to help you make a budget and outline the most important expenses for your situation.
How to Lower Electrical Bills With DoNotPay
Have you been stressed about your endless utility bills? Or how to make them disappear, like a magician's assistant, into a box? DoNotPay can help negotiate for lower home energy bills. Here's how you can do it in four simple steps.
- Go to the Negotiate Bills product on DoNotPay.
- Choose whether you want us to call and negotiate your bill for you or send a bill negotiation letter on your behalf.
- Provide the details to help us negotiate your bill, including the company name and how much your current plan costs.
- Enter your contact information, including email, address, and phone number.
That's it! Your electric company will be contacted in the next few days, and you'll soon be enjoying your lower bills.
Is There a Government Program to Help Pay Bills?
If for some reason, you can no longer , you are eligible for government grants to help with your bills.
For example, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) normally helps with energy bills in case of:
- Emergency aids in cases of crisis, such as utility outages.
- Weatherization (low-cost home energy makeover) of your home for more energy-efficient lighting.
It's important to note that LIHEAP eligibility differs from state to state. However, things may change if the person is a beneficiary of other programs, such as the Supplemental Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF or welfare), veterans, etc. In addition, 20% of households automatically qualify for LIHEAP energy bills funding. But when the annual LIHEAP energy bills are over, Congress has to release more funds for you to access more benefits. You can contact the LIHEAP office near you to get started.
Note: Meeting LIHEAP eligibility is not a pass to get help with your electricity bill loans. However, this shouldn't cause alarm because getting help with electric bills depends on the availability of LIHEAP funding that year.
Why You Should Use DoNotPay to Contact Help With Bills
Here are three reasons why you should trust DoNotPay to make calls and send letters to your electric company.
- Fast. There are no unnecessary time-consuming visits to any office looking for help that doesn't exist. We make the call as you sit back and enjoy your lower heating bills.
- Easy. The process of contacting your electric company using DoNotPay is simple. You give your details, we make a call or write a letter on your behalf. Then you wait for feedback.
- Successful. We'll do everything in our power to get you a better way to pay for energy bills.
What Else Can DoNotPay Do?
DoNotPay helps you find an easy way to request your electric company to lower your energy costs. Combining it with our knowledge of other claim issues can help you solve many problems. For instance, we can help with the following bills:
We can even help you get government or non-profit grants to fund your energy bills and provide you with information on the consequences of not paying medical bills.
DoNotPay is the first of its kind, free service that allows users to solve all types of utility bill problems, from heating bills repossession to utility outages. Learn more about how DoNotPay can help by visiting our Negotiate Bills website.