The Utility Assistance Program is designed to prevent utility disconnects and stabilize utility costs for low-income households.

Panhandle Community Services works with both public and private funds to pay the utility bills of low income families.  

Our Staff also provides families and individuals with educational information to help reduce their utility cost and budget counseling to help them manage the cost of their utilities.

Eligibility
To receive utility assistance, the household must have current outstanding utility bill(s); live at the residence and be at or below 150% of the current U.S. Poverty Guidelines.
 
To Apply
Appointments for utility assistance can be made by calling 1-855-459-3716 or schedule an appointment online.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance program is called LIHEAP. They assist low income people and families with their heating and cooling bills. This program is therefore, a year long program that is available 12 months a year. To qualify for the LIHEAP assistance, you need to qualify. We provide the current Federal Poverty Rates nationwide below.

You are automatically qualified for LIHEAP assistance if you participate in the SNAP food stamps program, TANF Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or the SSI program through Social Security.

Federal Poverty Guidelines for 2024

Persons In Family	Earnings (100% Fed Poverty Guideline)
1	$15,060
2	$20,440
3	$25,820
4	$31,200
5	$36,580
6	$41,960
7	$47,340
8	$52,720

*Alaska and Hawaii have different rates for HUD federal poverty guidelines.
These numbers above represent 100% of the Federal Poverty Rate. In order to get legal aid from some offices, they use a sliding fee scale. When they use a sliding fee scale, the 100% rate can be different than 100%. In those cases, using for example a 200% federal poverty level, you will only need double the 100% number listed above to 200%.

User questions & answers

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