Utility Assistance Programs by State: August 2026 Updates & Deadlines

If you’re worried about rising electric, gas, or water bills this summer, several states have rolled out or extended utility-benefit programs in August 2026.

From debt-forgiveness plans in California to summer shutoff protections in New Jersey and seasonal LIHEAP cooling help in Kentucky, these updates can lower your monthly costs or protect you from disconnection.

Below is a state-by-state overview of the most relevant programs and news items, ordered from those currently active to those expiring soonest. Each row includes direct links to the official or primary application pages where available.

Always confirm deadlines and eligibility with your utility or local assistance agency, as funds can run out before the official end date.
 

Active Utility Programs & August 2026 Updates

State / Area	Program / Update	Status in August 2026	Details & Eligibility	Where to Apply / Learn More (Official Links)
California (SoCal Edison, PG&E, SDG&E)	Arrearage Management Plan (AMP) – up to $8,000 debt forgiveness	Active (CPUC extended through at least early 2026; widely promoted in Aug 2026)	For CARE/FERA customers with past-due balances; 1/12 of arrears forgiven per on-time payment; full forgiveness after 12 on-time payments, up to $8,000. PG&E also runs “Match My Payment” (up to $1,000 match on arrears).	- SoCal Edison AMP (search “AMP” or “Arrearage Management Plan” on SCE site) - PG&E bill help & Match My Payment: pge.com - SDG&E assistance: sdge.com/bill-help (search “AMP” or “bill assistance”)
Kentucky (statewide, incl. Western KY)	LIHEAP Summer Subsidy (Cooling Assistance)	Active Aug 3 – Sept 11, 2026 (first-come, first-served)	One-time electric-bill benefit for households at or below 150% of federal poverty guidelines (~$49,500 for a family of four).	- Apply via your county Community Action Agency (CAA). - Jefferson County (Louisville) LIHEAP info & appointments: louisvilleky.gov/liheap and LIHEAP Appointment Scheduler  - General LIHEAP info: commaction.org/liheap
New Jersey	Summer Termination Program (shutoff protection)	Active through Aug 31, 2026	Protects eligible households from electric, water, and sewer shutoffs from June 15 – Aug 31. Eligibility includes recipients of Lifeline, HEAP/LIHEAP, TANF, SSI, PAAD, General Assistance, USF, and certain hardship cases. Customers must contact their utility to self-certify and set up a budget/payment plan.	- NJ Board of Public Utilities (BPU) – Summer Termination Program info: nj.gov/bpu (search “Summer Termination Program”) - Contact your utility’s customer service/collections line to enroll.
Ohio	Neighbor to Neighbor bill-help program (AEP Ohio) + $10M Meta donation	Active in August 2026	Meta’s $10M donation expands a utility-bill assistance program for AEP Ohio customers struggling with electric bills. Grants up to $350 for eligible customers behind on bills.	- AEP Ohio Neighbor to Neighbor (via Dollar Energy Fund): aep.com/ohio (search “Neighbor to Neighbor”) or call 1-800-672-2231
Pennsylvania	Supplemental LIHEAP benefit ($100) for vulnerable households	Active in August 2026 (supplemental round)	About 193,000 low-income households with a member 60+, disabled, or a child under 6 receive an extra $100 LIHEAP benefit using leftover funds. No application needed; benefits are automatic.	- PA Department of Human Services LIHEAP info: pa.gov/agencies/dhs
New York	$1B utility rebate program (mailing soon)	Announced; checks expected Sept–Dec 2026	One-time rebate checks for taxpayers to help with higher utility bills; up to $200 for joint filers under $150k, $100 for single filers under $150k. Based on 2024 tax returns; no application required.	- NY State tax & rebate info: ny.gov and tax.ny.gov (search “energy rebate” or “utility rebate”)
Delaware	LIHEAP & emergency utility assistance resources	Ongoing in August 2026	State highlights LIHEAP for energy bills plus emergency payment assistance and referrals for residents facing utility crises.	- Delaware LIHEAP & assistance: benefits.gov (search “LIHEAP Delaware”) or call 211
Texas (El Paso County)	Project Bravo & County General Assistance for utilities	Ongoing in August 2026	Help with electric, gas, propane, and water bills for households at or below 150% of federal poverty level.	- Project Bravo: projectbravo.org (search “utility assistance”) - El Paso County General Assistance: elpasoco.com (search “General Assistance”)
Illinois (Vermilion County)	2027 LIHEAP season (heating)	Opens Oct 1, 2026 (priority groups); Nov 1 for others	LIHEAP heating assistance season starts Oct 1 for priority households (60+, disabled, young children, disconnection risk).	- ECICAA (Vermilion County) LIHEAP: ecicaa.org (search “LIHEAP 2027”)

 

What to Do Next

• Start with your state’s LIHEAP page. LIHEAP is the backbone of most utility-bill help, including summer cooling and winter heating components. Deadlines and income limits vary by state.

• Check your utility’s bill-help page. Many providers (SoCal Edison, PG&E, SDG&E, AEP Ohio, etc.) run their own arrearage, discount, or debt-forgiveness programs in addition to federal aid. Look for AMP, CARE/FERA, Match My Payment, or Neighbor to Neighbor by name.

• Use 211 for local referrals. If you’re unsure where to start, dialing 211 or visiting 211.org can connect you to nearby Community Action Agencies, emergency funds, and utility-assistance programs.

• Act early. Programs like Kentucky’s summer LIHEAP are first-come, first-served and can close before the stated deadline if funds run out.

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